Nondiscrimination Statement
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
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In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rights and Diversity, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20220 or call (202) 622-1160.
WISCONSIN NATIVE LOAN FUND
Staff
Cheryl Cloud
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
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Prior to being appointed WINLF's CEO, Ms. Cloud served on the WINLF's Board of Directors for multiple years in various capacities, mostly recently as Chairman of the Board. She has worked in the Indian housing and community development industry for 10 years, the Tribal transportation industry for 15 years, and has over 25 years of contract/grant management experience including several years of civil service at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and HUD. Additionally, she held a seat on her Tribal Business Development Corporation and owns a construction company with her husband. She has a bachelor's degree in business, management, and leadership from Northland College and is an enrolled Bad River Tribal Member.
David Gouwens
Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
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David formally joined the WINLF staff in 2019 but has been doing consulting work for WINLF since 2011. Prior to joining the WINLF Team, David owned an IT consulting company. Before starting his consulting company, David spent 9 years as the IT Director for a multi-state finance company. As such, he developed the majority of the software used by the company. He also performed the role of Operations Manager there. His greatest accomplishment was helping to create an IRA holding company from scratch in three months. David has bachelor's degrees in both physics and theater.
Janice St. Germaine
Lending Director
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A Lac du Flambeau Band of Ojibwe Tribal member who owns multiple small businesses, served on the Board of a Wisconsin Native CDFI, and has lending and Board experience working for a tribal lending entity. Janice also serves on the Lac du Flambeau School Board.
Jeannie Felix
Education and Client Development Director
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She has several years of office management experience with a focus on computer software programs and principles in accounting and data tractability. She has an associate degree in human services with a psychology certificate. She is an entrepreneur in small agricultural development and business.
Ross Davis
Grants and Development Manager
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Has worked in roles largely involved in successful fundraising in Indian Country, such as grant consultant for non-profits, federal/local government agencies and as a community development specialist for an Indian-based non-profit whose mission was to reduce poverty among Indian Tribes in the Wisconsin Northwoods. He has a doctorate in sociology and periodically serves as an adjunct lecturer.
Christine Haling
Loan Officer
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Christine has a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration, preceeded by associate degrees in accounting and small business management, all from Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa University. She has previous work experience in managing multimillion dollar budgets, contract management and office management. She maintains involvement with the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, American Indian Indigenous Business Leaders and American Indian Higher Education Consortium. She is a descendant of the Lac du Flambeau Tribe.
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Krysanda Bissonette
Accounting and Communications Assistant
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Krysanda has experience in online/e-banking services, underwriting, consumer lending, and financial education in part through working at a credit union. With her background in tax preparation, she now helps advocate tax advice to tribal members. In her spare time, she volunteers to show up as an emerging leader to help direct group initiatives like The Young Professionals to be able to help give back to indigenous schools, peoples, and their communities.
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Kristy Carlson
Client Development Counselor / Event Coordinator
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Kristy has previous mortgage experience as a loan processor. She has owned multiple businesses over the last 20-plus years, such as co-owner of a cattle/horse ranch and short-term rental property with her husband in northern Wisconsin. She has years of experience teaching and working with youth, such as homeschooling her older children and advocating for the special needs department for her local school. Also, she has always been involved with her community, such as spending the last 10 years serving her county’s fair in connection with event planning, fundraising, advertising, and judging exhibits. She is a freelance photographer and spends her free time enjoying the outdoors through hiking, rockhounding, paddle boarding, and traveling.
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Lisa Schuman
Intake and Impact Reporting Specialist
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Lisa previously served as an administrative assistant for the child support office at the Lac du Flambeau Tribe. She has an associate degree in casino/hotel management and is finishing up her MBA at LCO Ojibwe University. She has been a member of the Lac du Flambeau Ambulance service for 20 years as well as a director for suicide prevention for youth in Lac du Flambeau, where she has lived for the past 30 years.
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