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ABOUT US - staff
History, Mission, & Values | Icahya Woecun | Staff | Board | US Treasury Certified CDFI | Employment
Tanya Fiddler is the Executive Director of Four Bands Community Fund, a Native community development financial institution (CDFI) focused on entrepreneurship and financial literacy development on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation located in north central South Dakota. Tanya, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, has served as the Executive Director of Four Bands since 2002 and has built the organization from the start up phase into a successful, innovative, and award-winning organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and has 15 years of experience working with Native organizations. Tanya is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the 2008 Bureau of Indian Affairs "Entrepreneur Advocate of the Year," the 2007 Small Business Administration "Minority Small Business Champion for South Dakota and Region VIII," and the 2007 "Visionary Leader Award for Outstanding Achievement" in recognition of her impact in the CDFI field. She received a Fellowship in the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival in 2008 and has been an active voice in Native community and economic development. In addition to her role at Four Bands, Tanya is also the Co-Chair for the Native CDFI Network, a membership network that was established to create opportunities for Native CDFI peer-to-peer learning and to identify Native CDFI policy priorities. She is the Chair of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance, a group of community partners committed to growing Indian business in South Dakota. Tanya serves on the Board of Directors for Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, a Native CDFI dedicated to housing on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and Corporation for Enterprise Development, a national nonprofit that creates economic opportunity to alleviate poverty. She is a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator at regional and national conferences. Tanya values her family and the beautiful outdoors.
Lakota Mowrer is the Assistant Director at Four Bands. In this role, Lakota supports the leadership of Four Bands' Executive Director, establishes new and fosters existing partnerships, and leads and manages efforts to reach organizational goals. Lakota is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. Upon graduation, she joined Teach for America and taught on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation at Todd County High School. Lakota obtained her Masters in Social Work Degree from Washington University in St. Louis with the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies. Lakota individualized her course of study to concentrate in economic security and social development through the life course of American Indians. In addition to her educational experience, Lakota has completed a summer fellowship with National Congress of American Indians. She has served on the Native American Alumni Board of Directors at the University of Notre Dame. Lakota initiated program evaluations at the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management and Washington Internships for Native Students to develop program components for American Indian participants. Lakota is excited to be back home on Cheyenne River and to be able to spend time with all of her family, especially her nieces and nephews.
Brittany Brewer is the Director of Lending at Four Bands. In this position, her primary responsibility is to manage Four Bands' revolving loan fund program that provides loan capital to support private business development. Brittany joined Four Bands in 2010 as the Loan Officer, and in that short time has contributed to the growth of the department by helping to develop a post loan review process as well as a new product, the business line of credit. Brittany's big picture vision in these developments has contributed to greater client success and sustainability of local businesses. In addition to her role at Four Bands, Brittany serves on the Leadership Committee of the South Dakota Indian Business Alliance, an organization that fosters private sector development on Indian reservations. Brittany has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Black Hills State University and has continued to build her professional skills by attending conferences and trainings on mixed-use real estate, new markets tax credits, and financial management for CDFIs. Prior to joining Four Bands, Brittany served as the Business Manager for the Cheyenne River Health Care Corporation. She is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. In her free time, Brittany enjoys playing basketball and horseback riding as well as working cattle on her family's ranch.
Danny Butcher is the Business Success Coach at Four Bands and provides outreach, coaching and technical assistance to promote entrepreneurship and small business development in all communities on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. He graduated Tiospaye Topa High School and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and plans to achieve his Masters in Lakota Studies. Danny's passion for business development led him to a finalist position in the 2011 South Dakota Governor's Giant Vision Business Competition. In addition to his role at Four Bands, Danny is the owner of Rez Kid Studios, an art company that specializes in tattoos, graphics, murals, canvas paintings, photography and apparel. Danny is an enrolled full blood member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Danny was born in Rapid City and raised in the communities of Eagle Butte and La Plant, South Dakota. He is humbled to be a part of the Four Bands team.
Cora Mae Haskell is the Asset Development Coordinator at Four Bands. In this role, she provides outreach, coaching and technical assistance to promote financial literacy and credit building to best help residents of Cheyenne River Indian Reservation to access financial products and services. She holds a Master's Degree in Education and Curriculum and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education from Black Hills State University and is a certified trainer for Fannie Mae/First Nation's Financial Skillbuilding for Families coursework. Cora Mae continues her professional development by attending courses and national conferences on creating financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs for youth in economically disadvantaged communities. Since joining Four Bands in 2003, Cora Mae has conducted business development and financial literacy workshops for hundreds of people and has been instrumental in establishing the Individual Development Account program. Prior to that, Cora Mae was Dean of Academics at the former Si Tanka/Huron University and has accumulated more than 20 years of teaching experience on the Reservation. She has served as a co-chair for the Native Financial Education Coalition and is a former board member for the Eagle Butte District 20-1 school system. Cora Mae was named the 2008 Outstanding Entrepreneurship Educator by the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education for her outstanding service to the field of entrepreneurship. She has been the religious coordinator for grades K-9 at the All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte, South Dakota for 10 years. She was born and raised on a farm on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Her husband of 37 years was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She has six children, 18 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She still lives on the family farm near the Bear Creek reservation community.
Holden Neigel is the Client Services Coordinator at Four Bands Community. In this position, he supports program staff by recruiting and enrolling participants in the business training program. In addition, Holden conducts outreach, delivers presentations, executes administrative duties, and plans events to support Four Bands' programs. Holden is committed to providing a fantastic customer service experience to our diverse clientele and works one-on-one with clients to identify their needs. Holden joined Four Bands in 2010 and has an Associate Degree in Business Management and Marketing from Western Dakota Tech. Holden is a new homeowner and also enjoys helping his parents with their furniture store in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.
Darla Lawrence is the Finance and Administrative Officer at Four Bands and is responsible for all accounting operations, including generating required reports, developing required information for audits, cash and investment management, budgeting, planning, and database management. She has an Associate's Degree in both Business and Computer Information from Sisseton Wahpeton Community College and is also a certified trainer in the Building Native Communities curriculum. Before coming to Four Bands in 2006, Darla worked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for 12 years serving as the Payroll Director, Office Manager, and Business Technician. In 2005, Darla was the Employee of the Year for the Tribe. She is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Darla resides in Eagle Butte, South Dakota and spends her free time with her family.
Mark Shupick is the Director of Business Development Services at Four Bands. In this role, he is responsible for the overall coordination, integration and expansion of Four Bands' small business education programs. With a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in developing local businesses, Mark is an expert at providing technical assistance and supporting entrepreneurs so they may reach their business objectives. Mark schedules, manages, and evaluates quality programming in the areas of entrepreneurial training, one-on-one business assistance and coaching, asset development, and financial education. He also ensures the curriculum and program content remains current, fresh, and applicable to clients. Mark was one of the first staff members of Four Bands and has served the organization in several capacities over the years, including Enterprise Manager and Business Success Coach. For his extraordinary achievements, he was named the Small Business Administration's 2010 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year. Mark continually seeks to sharpen his professional skills and has received training in Quickbooks and marketing and design. In addition, he has been certified as a Financial Education Curriculum Trainer by First People's Fund. Prior to joining Four Bands in 2002, Mark was the Assistant Manager of the Tribe's grocery store where he was instrumental in annually doubling the store's net profits. Mark is on the Finance Committee of the First Baptist Church and serves on the board of directors for Windswept Academy and Oti-Kaga, a nonprofit housing organization. Mark was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He enjoys working outside, target shooting, carpentry, and classic car restoration.
Kristen Stambach is the Loan and Outcomes Coordinator at Four Bands. In this role, she is responsible for assisting with the day to day activities associated with maintaining the revolving loan fund and coordinating the organization's Wicoicage Sakowin kin un Wicakagapi (Building for the Seventh Generation) program. Kristen also supports organizational development by analyzing and managing the client database for outcomes tracking, program deliverables, and performance measures. Kristen holds an Agriculture Business Degree from Western Dakota Tech and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Black Hills State University. Prior to coming on board at Four Bands in November 2010, Kristen worked at Premier Bankcard for over four years. A native to the area, she grew up on a buffalo ranch near Red Scaffold, South Dakota. Kristen currently lives in Dupree, a small town west of Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Kristen enjoys working with all of the clients at Four Bands Community Fund, especially the area youth. In her free time Kristen enjoys painting and horseback riding. |
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