Jeannie Hovland

Jeannie Carol Hovland is an American politician, currently serving as the Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs. She was nominated for the position by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June 2018.

As commissioner, she oversees ANA’s discretionary funding programs to American Indians, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; serves as an advocate for Native Americans; and coordinates activities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop policies, programs, and budgets affecting Native Americans all under the authority of the Native American Programs Act.

She also serves in the dual role of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs, affirming the government-to-government relationship between ACF and Indian tribes. She serves as the chair of the ACF Native American Affairs Advisory Council and provides advice, opinions, and reviews policies within ACF affecting Indian tribes.

Early life and education

Hovland is an enrolled member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. She attended Associate Schools Inc. Travel Agent School in North Miami Beach, Florida.

Career

Hovland began her career as the CEO of Wanji Native Nations Consultants. She later worked in the office of U.S. Senator John Thune as tribal affairs advisor. Hovland went on to serve as senior advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.