"nDiginizing" Entrepreneurship & Economies, Interview with Bernina Gray, CEO, nDigitize

Join us for this episode where we speak with Bernina Gray, CEO of nDigitize. During this episode we learn about Bernina's journey of starting her business, and her greater goals regarding entrepreneurship and "nDiginizing" economies.

About Bernina Gray:
Bernina Gray is a Diné entrepreneur, mother, and future impact investing catalyst from Lukachukai, Arizona, on the Diné reservation. In 2018, she left her customer service job at a financial institution to earn a Full-stack Web Development certificate from CNM Ingenuity. This led to a software developer internship with a local non-profit, followed by freelancing in software development, brand design, and UX Design.

In 2020, Bernina founded nDigitize, a tech company that digitizes Native-owned businesses, driven by the need for an online presence during the pandemic. With five years of experience in brand design, software development, UX design, and technology consultations, she continues to offer digital products for Native communities. Her commitment to education and preofessional development includes participating in Project Dreamcatcher’s Spring 2023 Cohort and Arizona State University’s Indigenous Leadership Academy.

In 2023, Bernina joined the first wave cohort of the Rematriating Economies apprenticeship, a program aimed at exploring and jumpstarting careers in investment and financial management for Indigenous women. This experience led her to become a Business Development Contractor for Mission Driven Finance, introducing their Advance New Mexico Fund.

Bernina is passionate about expanding her knowledge in investment, data, and FinTech to create technology-driven solutions for Native communities. She is currently securing capital for a payment app for indigenous entrepreneurs and artisans, using blockchain to protect their art and facilitating payments via SMS technology to address mobile broadband issues on the reservation.

Website: www.ndigitize.io

Resources mentioned:
New Mexico Community Capital: https://nmccap.org/
Rematriating Economies Apprenticeship: https://www.rematriatingeconomies.com/
CNM Ingenuity: https://www.cnmingenuity.org/
Mission Driven Finance: https://www.missiondrivenfinance.com/

New Mexico Rainforest Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program:
UNM Rainforest Innovations and the Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program are hosting the Indigenous Entrepreneurs Podcast as a storytelling aspect of the NM Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program. Building from the foundation of the NM Rainforest EDA University Center Program, the New Mexico Rainforest Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program
provides entrepreneurial support to coal-impacted and tribal communities throughout New Mexico in an effort to promote entrepreneurship as a means for economic development and job growth in historically under-served communities. For more information or to connect with the
program contact Cecilia (Pacheco) Becenti at [email protected].
Website:
⁠⁠⁠https://innovations.unm.edu/program-a...