Business Operations Manager
Southern Ute Indian Tribe - Shared Services
Ignacio, Colorado, United States
Leah Cleve, CPA is the Business Operations Manager at Southern Ute Shared Services, where she leads IT business operations for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's various government and business operations as well as their workforce while spearheading the strategic deployment of the Tribe's broadband infrastructure. A versatile leader with a keen eye for operational excellence, Leah bridges the gap between technology and community needs, fostering collaboration between IT, construction, and operations teams to drive transformative connectivity initiatives.
Under Leah's leadership, the Tribe has secured nearly $100 million in broadband grant funding—a remarkable achievement that showcases her expertise in grant management and strategic planning. She expertly manages compliance and reporting for 14 grants while serving as the primary liaison with federal and state agencies. Her strategic acumen shines through in her ability to navigate shifting funding priorities and adapt to evolving project requirements.
Leah's impact extends beyond the spreadsheet to the field, where she has overseen the successful "green lighting" of over 1,000 premises and connected 200 homes to high-speed broadband service. Her hands-on approach to project management, combined with deep understanding of rural connectivity challenges, enables her to proactively solve complex problems and ensure project milestones are met. Through her dedication and strategic vision, Leah is helping bridge the digital divide and create lasting economic opportunities for the Southern Ute community.
She has worked for the Tribe for 19 years and lives in Durango, CO. She has a 23-year-old son who attends CSU in Fort Collins and loves to be anywhere outside!
Tribal Broadband: Ensuring Communities Have the Capacity to Thrive
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
4:55 PM - 5:25 PM CT