Stacy Smith Ledford

Stacy holds a master’s degree in Education and brings professional experience in Tribal Operations, Human Resources, Business, Marketing, and Education to her role at AISES. She credits her family of cultural educators and leaders with her natural gravitation toward education. Prior to joining AISES, Stacy applied Project Based Learning methods to help her elementary students develop the real-life skills they will need for success. She believes it is her purpose to connect with, mentor, and challenge students of any age to realize their full potential. A product of tribal school education, Stacy understands the importance of the AISES programs that provide STEM opportunities to K-12 students during a critical and exciting time in their education and beyond. Stacy values the opportunities AISES provides for students to continue their pathways in STEM, whether in education, entrepreneurship, or both. 

A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Stacy was born in Albuquerque, N.M., and raised on the Eastern Band’s Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina and in New Mexico. After living in many places across the U.S. in support of the Air Force career of her husband, Julian, Stacy and her family — Julian and children Brendan, Ava, and Jaxson — settled in Castle Rock, Colorado.

In her free time, you can find Stacy cheering at the lacrosse field, a dance competition or snuggled up with a book and Denver, a spoiled golden retriever. Stacy loves travel, photography, stand-up paddleboard, yoga, and beaches.