The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) will honor 40 existing and emerging American Indian professionals under the age of 40 at its 36th Annual Indian Progress in Business Awards Event (INPRO) on Thursday, September 8 at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

In honor of its 40th anniversary in 2009,  NCAIED introduced the Native American 40 Under 40 to recognize young Indians who have “demonstrated leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve impressive and significant contributions in their businesses, communities and to Indian country,” according to an NCAIED press release.

The 2011 winners range from tribal officials and leaders of economic development to attorneys to business entrepreneurs to tourism and museum directors. The winners had to be nominated for the award and then selected by a panel of NCAIED representatives.

View the 2011 Native American 40 Under 40 click here.