BUILDING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE
May 29, 2026
Makwa Global's CEO Anne Defot-Sido and her team are building economic growth, career pathways, and a team culture rooted in Ojibwe values.
By Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
When Anne Defot-Sido became CEO of Makwa Global, she inherited a promise made by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe: that long-term financial sovereignty is possible, and federal contracting is a powerful vehicle to achieve it
Makwa Global is a government contracting firm owned by Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV), the Band's business arm. Through these ventures, the Band has built economic models extending beyond the reservation. Makwa Global represents a recession-proof, high-growth enterprise designed to thrive under any administration.
"We solve complex problems for the U.S. government," says Anne, who brings decades of federal contracting and tribal organization experience. The opportunity is enormous and largely untapped. "The U.S. government spends $1.3 trillion annually on products and services," Anne notes, "and dedicated funding exists specifically for tribal sovereignty. The federal government has dedicated contracting pathways to expand opportunities for tribal enterprises."
Makwa Global's business model is intentional. Rather than pursuing facility management contracts yielding two percent margins, the team focuses on IT and cybersecurity, generating margins of 12-18 percent. Across a growing portfolio, this translates directly into the Band's financial stability and investment capacity.
But Anne's vision extends beyond revenue; she is building Makwa Global as an incubator. "My job is to provide distribution and employment for the Band," she says. "Some roles require top security clearance. This can limit hiring for specialized roles, but we have a plan for that." Her team introduced a 12-month internship program-exclusive to Band members— spanning contracts, legal, operations, finance, HR, and compliance.
Interns are compensated as junior employees and earn real-world certificates. "We're already seeing the pathway begin to work," says Anne, noting that an intern named Megan discovered a passion for finance during her rotation and was offered a full-time position. "My goal is to have a minimum of three interns at all times. If they enjoy the work, we'll create a career path. If they don't, they l have gained solid experience that transfers to other industries."
Anne and her team actively live their Ojibwe-rooted culture, prioritizing respect, bravery, honesty, and genuine investment in each other. Because the team works hard, embracing family moments is vital. When team member Jose brings his daughters to the office to show them future career options, Anne's response is simple: "Glad to welcome them-and go get some ice cream!" It's a small moment that speaks volumes about the environment she has built.
This is echoed in her mentality. "I prefer a team that makes mistakes and learns, than a team that never tries," Anne says. "In our meetings, everybody contributes at the same level— the intern, the middle manager, the executive. We are all in this together."
That culture? It's part of the long-term foundation Makwa Global is building inspired by and built for the Band.
