Who We Are
As the Native American National diamond sports program, our vision is to empower Native American youth and young adults through diamond sports, while providing support for mental and physical well-being to athletes and their families. From t-ball to professional opportunities, we aim to create an encouraging and inclusive environment where athletes can grow and thrive, while embracing their culture and community values. Through teamwork, discipline and dedication, we strive to develop not only skilled players but also resilient and well-rounded individuals, committed to personal and collective excellence.
Our Mission
Native Nations is dedicated to developing a dynamic and supportive national sports program that paves the way for individual and collective recognition and opportunities. Our mission is to cultivate a community where individuals can enhance their physical skills, mental resilience, leadership qualities and spiritual wellness. We aspire to have our athletes represent their sovereignty on the national and world stage, competing in diamond sports as a true National Team at all age grades.
By honoring cultural roots and promoting holistic health, we aim to inspire future generations to lead lives filled with purpose, strength and integrity.
Our Vision
We are all about creating a vibrant and nurturing national sports program that inspires future generations to lead lives of purpose, strength and integrity. Through teamwork, cultural preservation and holistic health, we aim to create opportunities that transform lives and communities for generations.
Leadership Team
The leadership team at Native Nations brings together a wealth of experience, passion and dedication to empowering Native athletes and fostering community growth. Guided by a shared vision for Indigenous excellence, the team combines expertise in sports development and management, Tribal governance and community development to drive meaningful impact.
Together, they lead with purpose, ensuring Native Nations creates lasting opportunities for Native athletes to thrive while embracing the cultural roots of all tribes across America.
D.J. Carrasco
Founder and CEO
DJ Carrasco is the founder of the Native Nations National Program, driven by the love of the game and a vision to create a national program that enables Native Americans to one day compete on the world stage as a Sovereign Nation. With extensive Major League and global experience, DJ has traveled across the world, studying how various countries develop their athletes in diamond sports. Drawing from the best practices of different cultures, he is now working to create the first program of its kind for Native athletes.
Carrasco says Native Nations is a “long-overdue movement aiming to showcase the talent and potential of Native American players, and the global sports world will soon witness the passion of baseball and softball being played by these exceptional athletes.”
Autumn Lopez
CO-Founder and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner - Director of Health and Wellness, HomePlates
Autumn Lopez is the CO- Founder of Native Nations as well as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and the Director of Health and Wellness for HomePlates. Her over 22 year journey into holistic health began as a Licensed Massage Therapist working with elite athletes. Naturally, her interest evolved into a deeper passion for whole-body wellness. Certified in Holistic Health and Wellness as well as Nutrition Response Testing, Autumn offers a unique, bio-individual approach to improving health outcomes and honoring that no two bodies are the same.
She creates personalized wellness plans that integrate nutrition, lifestyle, movement, stress management, and mental well-being, all through a food first philosophy. Autumn also helps clients uncover hidden environmental stressors to support long-term health. Whether working one-on-one or with groups, she is committed to meeting people where they are—educating, inspiring, and empowering them to feel better, live better, and thrive.
Levi Esquerra
President of the Board /
Advisor to Culture Relationships
Levi Esquerra has served as a former Chairman of the Chemehuevi Tribe, bringing his leadership and deep understanding of Tribal governance to every role he assumes. His extensive experience has been instrumental in shaping the growth and visibility of Native Nations, particularly in the early stages of the initiative. Levi is also the first Senior Vice President for Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement at the University of Arizona.
His vision for Native American representation on the global stage, combined with his ability to foster strong, meaningful relationships within the Native community, has been essential to the success of Native Nations. Levi’s contributions are invaluable, and his ongoing leadership will play a pivotal role in helping Native Nations achieve its mission and ensure its long-term success.
Tim Nuvangyaoma
Associate Board Member
Tim Nuvangyaoma, Chairman of the Hopi Tribe in Arizona. He has been a strong advocate for raising awareness and preserving Native American cultural integrity, both of which are critical components for the long-term success of Native Nations and its many initiatives across America. Tim’s many years of advocacy for Native health issues, particularly those that are systemic among these communities, aligns perfectly with Native Nations’ values and mission.
David Z. Bean
Associate Board Member
David Z Bean, former chairman of the Puyallup Tribe in Washington State, is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Indian Gaming Association. A University of Puget Sound graduate in business and public administration, David contributed to key economic projects, including the casino, Chinook Landing Marina as well as cargo operations. A strong advocate for Indian Country, David uplifts Native communities through his work. He champions initiatives for Tribal youth, emphasizing cultural enrichment and gang prevention programs.
Linda Imonti
Associate Board Member
Linda is an experienced executive & board director, growth-oriented leader, technology transformation focus, and strategist. She has an exemplary track record of innovation and transformation across industries including consumer, high-tech, industrial manufacturing, and professional services. Linda is an experienced director on private and non-profit boards. Linda brings operations and governance skills to further advance and grow Native Nations. She has been committed to a mission for decades; To realize the potential of our future leaders, our diverse youth.
John Hartmann
Associate Board Member
John Hartmann is an accomplished leader with decades of experience in strategy, operations, and governance across diverse industries. A former CEO and board member in baseball, John brings passion, discipline, and integrity to empowering Native Nations. Growing up near the Oneida Nation in central New York and living near the Narragansett Tribe in Rhode Island, he is committed to fostering youth engagement and cultural preservation through strategic initiatives and partnerships that support Native communities.
Ryan Flynn
Advisor
Ryan Flynn has traveled the world as a writer, marketing professional and ‘builder’ of baseball programs. From Seattle to London to the South Pacific to New Zealand and now in Australia, Ryan has built and rejuvenated club, national and state baseball programs in every setting and level of maturity, working in baseball for more than 30 years. Ryan has taken national programs to the World Baseball Classic tournament and to the brink of the Olympic Games and helped hundreds of young athletes reach their individual and collective dreams.
He has written for heads of state and is a published writer and PR/marketing professional. He has a son playing college baseball in Kansas and a daughter living and working in Auckland, New Zealand.
Grow With Us
At Native Nations, we believe every athlete deserves the chance to thrive while staying rooted in their identity. We’re more than a sports organization—we’re a movement to uplift Native talent and celebrate Indigenous excellence.
What We’ve Achieved
At Native Nations, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for Native athletes by combining competitive sports programs, youth engagement and holistic wellness.
Together, these initiatives reflect our mission to uplift Native athletes and communities through sports, culture and good health practices.