Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Donald Kirkland is the director of public and governmental affairs in the Commissioner’s Office of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Kirkland also serves as the vice-chairman of the Georgia Council of American Indian Concerns (youngest in history) where he has established himself as one of the premier American Indian leaders in the country, having influenced policy decisions within the state legislature, United States Congress, the White House and professional sports. He also sits on the Governor’s Interstate Indian Council. Kirkland’s work benefits American Indians by promoting awareness of state tribes, aiding the preservation of native cultural heritage and assuring the proper treatment and care is given to human remains, sacred objects and native traditions.
Kirkland spends several nights a week and travels most weekends coaching competitive youth soccer. His teams have won several state-level leagues, a state cup championship, the South Atlantic Premier League Championship and most recently were finalists at the National Premier League Championship.