Michael Roberts, CEO and founder of Taičhetán, has been honored as MEDA's Business Champion of the Year. Michael's journey began with $14 in his pocket and a vision, having returned from a business development project in California. He started with Thunderbird Promotions, selling promotional items door-to-door, and eventually founded Taičhetán, a marketing agency named by blending Dakota and Swahili words for "hawk."

In 1996, Michael attended an event for the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce, where he first connected with MEDA. This relationship helped him expand from tribal markets into the corporate sector. General Mills later sought a business relationship with him, contingent on having a mentor, a role MEDA helped structure and manage.