Don Sampson is the Climate Change Project Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, a consortium of over 50 tribes in the Pacific Northwest. In 2015 he was one of 15 Indigenous representatives from North America at the Paris Climate Accords (COP21). He was one of 10 finalists for the 2020 American Climate Leadership Award which recognizes the best efforts that demonstrate success in mobilizing public support and political will for climate action. 

Don was the former Executive Director of the Institute of Tribal Government (2012-2017) part of the Center for Public Service at Portland State University. Don also served as the Executive Director (2003-2010) and Board of Trustees Chairman (1994-1997) of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon; overseeing all tribal government and business operations with over 1500 employees. He was the Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission from 1997-2003. He is an enrolled citizen of the Umatilla Tribe and is the traditional Chief of the Walla Wallas. He has a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Management from the University of Idaho. Don and his wife Peggy live in Pendleton, Oregon and have 6 children and 6 grandchildren.