Native American Advisory Board

2016 Annual Report - Gerald Sherman head shotGerald Sherman
Chairman – CCDFI Native American Advisory Board

Bar K Management – Consultant

 

Mr. Sherman, an Oglala Lakota, grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. A graduate of Oglala Lakota College, Mr. Sherman is the founding board chairman and first Executive Director of the Lakota Fund. Mr. Sherman also served as Program Officer for Four Times Foundation. Most recently, Mr. Sherman served for nine years as President and CEO of Indian Land Capital Company, and is currently working as a consultant.
View Mr. Sherman’s LinkedIn Profile


Bob Crothers - Citizen Potawatomi CDCBob 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.
View Mr. Crothers’ LinkedIn Profile


Karlene HunterKarlene Hunter - CEO, Native American Natural Foods
CCDFI Native American Advisory Board Member Since 2016

Native American Natural Foods – CEO & Co-Founder

 

Ms. Hunter is CEO and co-founder of Native American Natural Foods (NANF). A member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Ms. Hunter has more than 25 years of experience working on educational and economic development on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where NANF is based. Ms. Hunter holds an MBA from Oglala Lakota College, and is well known throughout the Native American community for her local and national service.
View Ms. Hunter’s LinkedIn Profile


Shawn Nelson - Father Sky Mother Earth ARTShawn 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.
View Mr. Nelson’s LinkedIn Profile


Stephanie Cote - Oweesta CorporationStephanie Cote
CCDFI Native American Advisory Board Member Since 2020

Oweesta Corporation

 

Ms. Cote has been with First Nations Oweesta Corporation since 2012, where she currently serves as Program Manager. Throughout her career, Ms. Cote worked with First Nations Development Institute, Cielo Foundation, Native CDFI Network, Potlatch Fund, Longhouse Media, and Northwest Native Development Fund. Ms. Cote is also a fitness instructor and a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. Ms. Cote holds a BA from the University of Michigan. She is Potawatomi and Odawa of Michigan from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
View Ms. Cote’s LinkedIn Profile


Pete Upton - Native360 Loan FundPete Upton
CCDFI Native American Advisory Board Member Since 2022

Native360 Loan Fund

 

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.

View Mr. Upton’s LinkedIn Profile