Louie Rios III is the Director of Programs for Oweesta and part of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota. He began his professional career on the Big Island as a loan associate for a small Native-Hawaiian focused CDFI, where he later became the Executive Director and served the small business sector of the Hawaiian community. His lending experience was mainly in the healthcare and agricultural industry in rural communities where thousands of high-need individuals were able to access healthcare and also healthy, delicious foods. He is passionate about community and economic development, especially for the Indigenous of North America and the Pacific.

Before he entered the CDFI industry, Louie received a Bachelor’s in Psychological Science with an emphasis in Social Psychology, was the President of the University’s Salsa Dance Club, and started a DJ Production Business where he mixed nightclubs and hosted weddings. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, freediving, traveling, photography, and all things adventure related.