Contacts:
Heather Rademacher Taylor (Director of Programs, Oweesta)
303.774.8838  heather@oweesta.org

Lihue, HI – On Wednesday, June 26^th, First Nations Oweesta Corporation recognized two individuals at the Native CDFI staff level for their outstanding commitment to service in Native CDFI industry, one organization as a friend and supporter for their financial partnerships within the Native CDFI industry, and one surprise honoree at the 2019 Native CDFI Capital Access Convening’s Native Awards Night.

The Industry Achiever Awards recognize Native CDFI staff members who exemplify excellence in the Native CDFI industry, have excelled at their jobs within their Native CDFI organizations, and ultimately helped the organization excel in serving their communities. The Native CDFI Industry Achievers awards recognize those hardworking staff who make the work of Native CDFIs not only possible, but help the organization consistently exceed expectations.

Oweesta awarded the first Industry Achiever Award to Patty Gobert, Loan Administrator for NACDC Financial Services in Browning, Montana. Ms. Gobert embodies the spirit award through her kind, patient, and persistent efforts in assisting loan clients become loan ready and maintaining a loan portfolio with a 0% default rate. Executive Director of NACDC Financial Services, Angie Main, shared, “Patty is relentless in loan collection, even reminding people they have payments due during basketball and other community activities.” She is a loving grandmother to her family and contributes greatly to the Blackfeet community.

Pictured (left to right): Chrystel Cornelius, Executive Director, Oweesta; Robin Danner, Board Member, Oweesta; Stephanie Cote, Programs Officer, Oweesta; Lahela Williams, Program Coordinator, Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiian Community Lending; Derek Valdo, Board Member, Oweesta; Jeff Gilbreath, Executive Director, Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiian Community Lending

The second Industry Achiever Award was awarded to Lahela Williams, Program Coordinator of Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiian Community Lending. Ms. Williams is a local Native Hawaiian with 15 years of experience in Native Hawaiian community development. She has developed an award-winning model for service delivery, through her intimate knowledge of Native Hawaiian culture and her origination’s clientele. “Ms. Williams is recognized by our boards as a Native CDFI industry achiever because her expertise in the delivery of development services has allowed our loan fund to build borrower pipeline of nearly 3,000 Native Hawaiians and maintain a default rate of less than 1%, while lending primarily to individuals and families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness,” said Jeff Gilbreth, Executive Director of Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiian Community Lending.

Pictured (left to right): Stephanie Cote, Programs Officer, Oweesta; Chrystel Cornelius, Executive Director, Oweesta; Andy Gordon, Arizona Market President, Clearinghouse CDFI; Gerald Sherman, Board Member, Clearinghouse CDFI; Robin Danner, Board Member, Oweesta; Derek Valdo, Board Member, Oweesta

The Hoaloha (Friend) of the Native CDFI Industry Awards recognizes an organization that has made a long‐term contribution to the Native CDFI industry and whose financing and asset-building efforts make them an inspiration for others. Clearinghouse CDFI has been a pioneer in investing in Indian Country, overcoming internal policy and obstacles to make investments to the communities that need it most. To date, Clearinghouse CDFI has served 1.8 million clients, given $1.73 billion in lending, and have 1,860 total funded projects, including $8.3 million funded to Native American owned enterprises.

Pictured (left to right): Stephanie Cote, Programs Officer, Oweesta; Robin Danner, Chairwoman, Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, Executive Director, Hawaiian Community Development Corporation; Chrystel Cornelius, Executive Director, Oweesta

At the close of the awards ceremony, Oweesta honored Robin Danner, Chairwoman of Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations and Executive Director of Homestead Community Development Corporation, for her dedication and commitment to serving Indian Country and Native Hawaiian communities through policy and advocacy, small business expansion, and housing lending and development. Ms. Danner welcomed the Native CDFI Industry and Industry partners to her homeland of Kauai, Hawaii, and worked to integrate traditional Hawaiian weaving and ceremony, Hawaiian Homesteaders and voices, and pertinent Native Hawaiian issues throughout the 2019 Native CDFI Capital Access Convening, creating an unforgettable, incredible culturally involved and locally embedded conference experience. Oweesta is grateful for the partnership with Ms. Danner and her community and appreciate her years of service to the Native CDFI industry.

“We extend our congratulations to the individuals and organizations honored at the 4^th Annual Native CDFI Capital Access Convening Native Awards Ceremony,” said Chrystel Cornelius, Executive Director of First Nations Oweesta Corporation. “These awardees are an inspiration to the Native CDFI industry and deserve the recognition for their efforts in advancing our communities across the nation.”

For more information on NACDC Financial Services, Inc., please visit their website at www.nacdcfinancialserivces.com.

For more information on Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiian Community Lending, please visit their website at www.hawaiiancommunity.net.

For more information on Clearinghouse CDFI, please visit their website at www.clearinghousecdfi.com.

For more information on Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, please visit their website at www.facebook.com/homesteadassociations.

First Nations Oweesta Corporation provides opportunities for Native people to develop assets and create wealth by assisting in the establishment of strong, permanent institutions and programs, leading to economic independence, and strengthening sovereignty for all Native communities. Oweesta is the oldest Native CDFI intermediary offering financial products and development services exclusively to Native CDFIs and Native communities. Specifically, Oweesta provides training, technical assistance, investments, research, and policy advocacy to help Native communities develop an integrated range of asset-building products and services, including financial education and financial products. For more information, visit www.oweesta.org.