Tanya Fiddler is the executive director of Four Bands. She is a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Tanya joined Four Bands in September 2001, serving as its loan and technical assistance officer. In September 2002, she became the executive director. Tanya has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary sciences from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Prior to joining the Four Bands team, Tanya worked as a housing specialist for Oti Kaga, a nonprofit housing development organization. At Four Bands, Tanya works with the board of directors, conducts fundraising activities, manages financial operations, and is responsible for all staff. Tanya is the recipient of the Small Business Administration’s 2007 Minority Business Champion award for both the state and SBA Region VIII, which includes Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and North and South Dakota. She received the 2007 Visionary Leader Award for Outstanding Achievement award from First Nations Oweesta Corporation. This award is given “for a person whom embodies a long-term contribution to the Native CDFI industry and whose local asset building efforts make them an inspiration for others as we move forward.” Tanya serves on several boards including the Cheyenne River Chamber of Commerce, the South Dakota Rural Enterprise Initiative, and Tribal Ventures—a Tribal nonprofit enterprise implementing a ten-year poverty reduction program on the Reservation.
Donita is the youth program and partnerships coordinator at Four Bands. She is a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Donita joined Four Bands in October 2007. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Black Hills State University. Prior to joining Four Bands, Donita served as the executive director at Boys and Girls Club of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a business manager for Sacred Heart Center, and a teaching assistant for the Tribe’s Title 1 Program. At Four Bands, Donita is responsible for the organization’s Wicoicage Sakowin kin un Wicakagapi (Building for the Seventh Generation) program that will result in a sustainable service delivery model for offering money management, entrepreneurship education, and hands-on application opportunities that build long-term employment and life skills of Reservation youth. She also assists the executive director in raising funds to support this youth work. Donita is a member of the Eagle Butte District 20-1 School Board and is a former member of Four Bands’ board of director
Darla is the finance and administrative officer at Four Bands. She is a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Darla joined Four Bands in June 2006. She has an associate's degree in both business and computer information from Sisseton Wahpeton Community College. 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. While at Four Bands, Darla has supported annual audits, performed financial and administrative functions, and managed savings accounts for participants in the organization's Individual Development Account (IDA) program.
Cora Mae is the business and finance trainer at Four Bands. She was born and raised on a farm on the Cheyenne River Reservation and is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. Cora Mae joined Four Bands in June 2003. She completed a master's degree in education and curriculum and a bachelor's degree in business education from Black Hills State University. Cora Mae was a Dean of Academics at the former Si Tanka/Huron University and has more than 20 years of teaching experience on the Reservation. While at Four Bands, Cora Mae has conducted business development and financial literacy workshops attended by more than 600 people. She was instrumental in establishing Four Bands' Individual Development Account (IDA) program. Cora Mae has attended courses and national conferences on creating financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs for youths in economically disadvantages communities. She is a certified trainer for Fannie Mae/First Nation's Financial Skillbuilding for Families coursework, co-chairs the Native Financial Education Coalition, and serves on the board of directors for Eagle Butte District 20-1 school system.
Nicole is the program coordinator at Four Bands. She has been coming to the Cheyenne River Reservation since 1999-drawn by an opportunity to work with youth as a volunteer for the Cheyenne River Youth Project. She moved to the Reservation in 2004 and joined Four Bands in December 2005. Nicole is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She has a master's degree in sociocultural anthropology from Arizona State University and a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Nicole is the former office manager for Okiciyapi Tipi Habitat for Humanity and currently serves on Okiciyapi Tipi's board. At Four Bands, Nicole supports the coordination of program-related activities of all staff and promotes improved staff productivity and customer service. She does grant management, reporting, and results tracking and plays a principal role in ensuring effective use of a comprehensive database system that documents all customer information, activities, and outcomes.
Mark is the business success coach at Four Bands. Mark was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Reservation and is married to a member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. Mark joined Four Bands in October 2002 and served as the enterprise manager. He then began providing technical assistance to businesses. He has helped support more than 100 business owners. Prior to joining Four Bands, Mark was the assistant manager of the Tribe's grocery store. He was instrumental in annually doubling the store's net profits. Mark serves on the board of directors for Oti-Kaga, a nonprofit housing organization.
Wynona is the loan fund officer at Four Bands. She joined the organization in September 2005. Wynona is an enrolled member of the Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Nation and is married to an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Tribe. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business management. In 2007, Wynona completed two parts of the National Development Council's professional certification program-economic development finance and business credit analysis. Prior to joining Four Bands, Wynona worked for three years for the former Si Tanka/Huron University-first as a support staff, then a financial aid counselor, and advancing to the financial aid director. Wynona's primary responsibility is to manage Four Bands' revolving loan fund program that provides loan capital to support private business development. She also has assisted with Four Bands' Individual Development Account (IDA) program.
