Mac is of Cherokee descent and was a former teacher and principal of tribal schools. He founded the National Indian Youth Leadership Development Project (NIYLDP) over 30 years ago, including developing its signature program, Project Venture, the only Native American-developed program in the US to attain the highest level of evidence standards.

Mac is internationally recognized as a leader in advancing Native youth development and has served and lead numerous expert panels on suicide prevention. He is frequently sought after as a consultant and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kurt Hahn Award, the Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, the Alec Dickson Servant Leader Award and the Indian Health Service Director’s Behavioral Health Achievement Award.

Mac is a graduate of the Native Teacher Education Program at the University of Washington and holds a Master’s in Education from Arizona State University.