A Career of Influence

A graduate of Stanford University, Yazzie has spent over 20 years building a career in tech– but his influence reaches far beyond technology alone. He got his start at Google as a legal assistant with plans to be a lawyer before pivoting into technology and project management. He created Google’s Indigenous employee resource group and soon became a leader on the global ethics and compliance team to ensure employees around the world felt engaged.

After Google, Yazzie led multiple startups, working in immigration reform and managing diversity programs.

Bridging Tech and Social Advocacy

With his years of experience in Silicon Valley, Yazzie has become passionate about promoting ethical practices and championing workplace diversity and inclusion. His commitment to systemic change in the tech industry led him to found The Others Project, the first real-time, consolidated, and open-source initiative dedicated to Diversity + Inclusion data.

He also works as Natives Rising’s Head of Operations consultant, where he works to amplify their mission to provide visibility to Native Americans in technology. They provide mentorship and a place for Indigenous tech professionals to tell their stories.

Yazzie serves on multiple boards in the industry. He sits on the advisory board for Project Include, a company that provides a framework and resources for tech startups to create meaningful diversity solutions. He’s an advisor to Spot, a company creating AI reporting tools that make it safer for employees to speak up on issues of harassment and discrimination, and he’s an advisor for Diversity & Inclusion Programs for Women 2.0, a company encouraging direct action around gender equity and equality.

Advocacy Rooted in Indigenous Identity

Yazzie grew up in the Navajo Nation, calling New Mexico home before college. His Diné heritage informs much of his work, allowing him to bring an Indigenous perspective to the tech world—a field where Native American voices are often underrepresented. He is not only passionate about creating space for Indigenous people in tech but also about preserving cultural identity within these spaces. His advocacy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Indigenous knowledge and values, which can provide fresh insights into the ethical dimensions of technology.

Educating the Next Generation

Yazzie is also known for his mentorship of young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. He frequently speaks at events focused on diversity in tech, sharing insights on navigating and transforming spaces that historically lack representation. Yazzie’s work serves as an inspiration for Native American youth aspiring to enter fields where they may face challenges similar to his own, showing them that a successful career and cultural advocacy can go hand in hand.

Looking to the Future

Through the Others Project and his plethora of ongoing work, Matthew Yazzie demonstrates the power of combining technical expertise with a commitment to social justice. This Native American Heritage Month, his story reminds us of the ongoing need to honor Indigenous voices and create spaces where diverse perspectives are celebrated. By acknowledging the contributions of advocates like Yazzie, we move closer to a future where every community is represented, valued, and empowered.

“It’s important to make sure your story is known,” he said to Natives Rising, “and it’s important to make sure that you’re sharing the narrative about your background and being proud of who you are, across all levels.

This month, Yazzie is sharing important facts and resources for Native American Heritage Month on his LinkedIn. Keep up with his voice here.