Jaci McCormack grew up on the Nez Perce Reservation outside of Lewiston, Idaho. She fell in love with basketball early on and earned a scholarship to play for Illinois State University, where she was named the 2005 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament MVP. After her college career, Jaci was inspired to return home and give back to her community. She served as the Deputy Executive Director for the Nez Perce Tribe, as well as the Youth Prevention Director, building deep relationships with tribal and community partners.

In 2015, Jaci founded Rise Above, a non-profit organization that gives Native youth the skills and resilience to overcome their circumstances and write their own futures. As the CEO of Rise Above, Jaci leads the organization in its mission to empower youth through a variety of programs including sports, education, financial literacy, prevention skills and mentorship, using prevention strategies that will spark change in people’s lives.

Jaci has attracted an incredible group of engaged and like-minded partners and donors across the country who believe in Rise Above’s mission to empower Native youth, including PNW tribes, investors, prevention advocates, sports legends, hall-of-famers, and Hollywood stars.

Jaci has helped grow the Rise Above business from serving 300 kids to over 3,000 per year growing exponentially each year. Amid building her business, Jaci was approached by an independent Hollywood Film Producer to write and produce a feature film of her life story. Jaci’s story will be featured in a full-length motion picture with 3 time NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens and award winning actor Danny Glover serving as Executive Directors to the film.

In the past two years, Jaci has been invited to speak to numerous youth organizations, girls empowerment events, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Washington and the youngest organization to speak at the U.S. White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

Presentations

Building a Mission driven business

Mission needs to match your budget, businesses’ strategic plan needs to be built around your mission, the importance of partnerships with like-minded organizations and people.

Resiliency building, your story is your strength

Jaci McCormack shares her life story from growing up on the reservation to a business owner, the ups and downs of life that reflects a story of resilience, failure and triumph.

Women Who Lead

Present on the challenges we see and overcome as a CEO, impact of Title IX on my journey and how to breakdown the stereotypes of a female athlete who is a leader in business.