Who We Work With
The IDRS Acorn Project works closely with tribes to provide training and technical assistance in small business skills development to their Native entrepreneurs. Our program currently serves more than 25 tribes and Native nonprofit organizations throughout the Western United States in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington.
Our Team
Mark Thompson, Executive Director
mark@idrsinc.org
Mark has served Indian Country for 20 years and currently serves as Executive Director for IDRS. He has an exceptionally strong background in business and business law. He has specific skills and background in fiscal accounting and controls, personnel management, information systems, accounting software, costs and income projections and analysis, bidding government contracts, and marketing.
Lynn Wilson, Microenterprise Dev. Manager (Cherokee)
Lynn@idrsinc.org
Lynn has championed entrepreneurship since 2004, and since 2013 has specifically worked in Native communities across the country, including her own tribe (Cherokee Nation). she is a small business trainer and consultant dedicated to empowering Native American microentrepreneurs. With a strong background in entrepreneurship education, Lynn supports Native artists, makers, and small business owners through customized training, mentoring, and technical assistance. She plays a key role in managing the Indigenous Artisans Collective under the IDRS Acorn Project, helping Native artisans access national markets, build sustainable businesses, and preserve cultural heritage through entrepreneurship.
Camille Koster, Program Manager (Cherokee)
Camille@idrsinc.org
Camille serves as IDRS’s Program Manager. She has facilitated training and development for over 18 years, In addition to working for IDRS, Camille provides youth leadership training and development to numerous nonprofits and military youth programs across the Nation.
Heather Gomez, Marketing Specialist (Jicarilla Apache)
heather.gomez@idrsinc.org
Heather serves as IDRS’s Marketing Specialist. She has a background in graphic design, editing, and communications. Heather is an entrepreneur and owns Big D Flooring and Dulce Base Tipi. Heather is a Superhost on Airbnb and she will be facilitating future Airbnb webinars. In addition to working for IDRS, Heather is a Tribal Liaison with WESST where she provides technical assistance, mentoring and resources for Indigenous business owners in New Mexico.