Stacy Leeds

Stacy Leeds is the Willard H. Pedrick Dean, Regents Professor and Foundation Professor of Law and Leadership at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. She is a scholar of Indigenous law and policy and an experienced leader in law, higher education, economic development and conflict resolution. She holds law degrees from University of Wisconsin (LL.M.) and University of Tulsa (J.D.), a business degree from University of Tennessee (M.B.A)., and an undergraduate degree in history from Washington University in St. Louis (B.A.).

Leeds was the first Indigenous woman to serve as a law school dean. She was dean of University of Arkansas School of Law (2011-2018) and the inaugural Vice Chancellor for Economic Development, University of Arkansas (2017-2020). Leeds was and administrator and professor at University of Kansas and University of North Dakota, and a William H. Hastie Fellow at University of Wisconsin. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute and a recipient of the American Bar Association’s Spirit of Excellence Award.

Leeds prioritizes public service at the national and local levels. She is a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice and former Chair of the Cherokee Nation Gaming Commission. She is a founding board member and treasurer of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands, a congressionally-chartered non-profit and corporate board member for Kituwah LLC (wholly owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians).

Leeds is passionate about food, agriculture and whole health. She is co-founder of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, former board president of Akiptan (a Native CDFI providing capital to farmers and ranchers) and vice-chair of the board of trustees for the Native American Agriculture Fund (a private, charitable trust serving Native farmers and ranchers created from the historic Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement).

A former athlete and sports enthusiast, Leeds was inducted into the Muskogee Athletic Hall of Fame in her hometown in Oklahoma. She played varsity basketball and tennis at Wash U. In 2016, she completed a 950-mile journey as a Cherokee Nation Remember the Removal cyclist. She is the host of IndigenousWell and co-host of Think Tsalagi ᎢᏓᏓᏅᏛᎵ ᏣᎳᎩ.