Kendall Foster 

Vice Chair (Tribal Committee)

Arizona Association for Economic Development

Tucson Young Professionals

A native of Tucson and the Gila River Indian Community, Kendall Foster has a passion for shining light on the Black and Indigenous communities through economic development. 

Foster has used his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management to promote regional economic development initiatives, assist with workforce development in rising sectors such as industrial sewing with Sonoran Stitch Factory and launch Native entrepreneur courses with StartUp Tucson.

“Tucson is small but mighty: It offers a ‘Big fish in a small pond’ mentality as opposed to some of the bigger cities where you can get lost. Entrepreneurs and artists can showcase their talents and quickly rise into the Top Five in their chosen category or industry,” he said.

Foster is inspired by the many diverse philanthropic and volunteer opportunities here. He serves on the board of directors for the UArizona Cancer Center; The Dunbar Pavillion and Boys to Men. His other passions include Twenty Five Twelve Collective Tattoo Studio. He aspires to grow the Collective into the first Black-owned and operated strip mall in Tucson.