Gerald Sherman
Chairman – CCDFI Native American Advisory Board
Indigenous Impact Company – EVP, Owner
Mr. Sherman, an Oglala Lakota citizen, grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He is Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of Indigenous Impact Co., a firm focused on advancing Native-led economic development through strategic investment and advisory support. Mr. Sherman was the founding board chairman and first Executive Director of the Lakota Fund and formerly served as President and CEO of Indian Land Capital Company. With a career grounded in practical experience and long-term vision, Mr. Sherman brings deep insight into building strong, self-sustaining tribal economies that promote lasting opportunity and local leadership.
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Bob Crothers
CCDFI Native American Advisory Board Member Since 2016
Citizen Potawatomi CDC – Senior Commercial Lender
Mr. Crothers oversees commercial lending for Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC). He helps coordinate the organization’s outreach and marketing functions. He joined CPCDC after retiring from the banking industry in 2008. During his association with CPCDC, he has helped the organization grow – from $12 million in ’08, to more than $37 million today.
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Shawn Nelson
CCDFI Native American Advisory Board Member Since 2016
Father Sky Mother Earth ART
Mr. Nelson, Turquoise Man, is (Dibe’ lizhini) (Black Sheep) and (Kinya’a a’anii) (High Tower People) Clan of the Dine h Tribe (Navajo). A lifelong artist, Mr. Nelson specializes in working with natural Earth pigments to create fine art sand paintings that honor family and Navajo tradition.
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Pete Upton
CCDFI Native American Advisory Board Member Since 2022
Native360 Loan Fund – Executive Director
Mr. Upton (Ponca) is the Executive Director of Native360 Loan Fund, a certified Native CDFI that focuses on entrepreneurship and financial literacy development for Native Americans. Mr. Upton has served as Executive Director since 2011 and built the organization from its start-up phase into a successful lending organization that continues to experience growth while ever increasing its community impact.