Kenrick Escalanti

Kenrick J. Escalanti is the Director of Marketing & Communications & Tribal Liaison at Groundswell, where he supports Tribal engagement, rural resilience storytelling, and strategic communications connected to energy sovereignty and community resilience. A citizen of the Quechan Nation, Kenrick brings more than 15 years of experience in Indigenous communications, multimedia storytelling, narrative strategy, and Native community engagement.

At Groundswell, Kenrick helps advance relationship-building and communications efforts with Tribal Nations, Native-led organizations, and rural communities working to strengthen long-term resilience through people-focused and place-based approaches to community development with clean energy. His work supports initiatives centered on community solar, resilience hubs, residential energy efficiency, and locally rooted partnerships designed to strengthen energy affordability, preserve housing, support local economic development, and build resilient communities in Indian Country and rural America.

Prior to Groundswell, Kenrick served in leadership roles with National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. At NCAI, he led a major organizational rebrand, established the organization’s Digital Media Department, launched The Sentinel podcast, directed a full website redesign, and helped modernize national communications and event engagement strategies serving Tribal Nations across the United States.

At NABS, his work supported national Native advocacy, healing, and education efforts connected to the legacy of Federal Indian Boarding Schools, including communications and creative strategy supporting historic federal acknowledgment and apology efforts related to the forced assimilation of Native children.

His career also includes strategic multimedia and visual communications work supporting the U.S. Department of Defense through TRAX International. Across every role, Kenrick’s work has remained grounded in Indigenous storytelling, cultural preservation, community empowerment, and elevating Native/Rural voices through strategic communications and design.

Recognized as a Native American 40 Under 40 Award recipient, Kenrick is passionate about strengthening Indigenous visibility, sovereignty, resilience, and self-determination through culturally grounded communications and community-centered engagement. Beyond his professional work, he is most proud to be a husband, father, son, brother, and advocate for his community.