FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First Nations Oweesta Corporation appoints new associate director of contracts and quality control LONGMONT, Colorado (September 7, 2011) - First Nations Oweesta Corporation announced today that it has appointed Chrystel Cornelius to serve as the new associate director of contracts and quality control. Cornelius is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and is also of Chippewa decent from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota. She will be responsible for the oversight of Oweesta’s contracts, grants, and compliance of programs and will assist with partnerships and collaborative efforts with various funding agents.
“We are very excited that Chrystel has become a member of the Oweesta team,” shared Jon Panamaroff, executive director and senior vice president of First Nations Oweesta Corporation. Panamaroff also stated, “Chrystel provides additional understanding about the needs of Native communities because of her first-hand experience in economic and tribal development. Her passion and technical expertise will be vital in continuing our mission to increase tribal economic sovereignty.”
“As the former executive director of the Turtle Mountain CDFI, I can personally attest to the trials and tribulations of early stage development of Native CDFI’s,” shared Cornelius. She also spoke to the importance of Oweesta’s work in Indian Country, “More than six years ago, the Turtle Mountain CDFI participated in the Oweesta training program on establishing a CDFI to serve our community members. Oweesta’s technical assistance and support during the first few years of development was paramount to our success as a sustainable and vigorous lending institution. I am honored to work with an organization that is dedicated to supporting Native communities. With the growth and maturity of the Native CDFI industry, and the assistance Oweesta provides to these organizations in all stages of development, we are truly changing the economic landscape of Native communities.”
Cornelius has worked with Native communities for most of her professional career, and has more than 13 years of experience working in the economic development field. As a former tribal planner for seven years for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, she has extensive experience in tribal government structures and coordinating with various government and private funding entities. She was also the former executive director of the Turtle Mountain CDFI from its inception, bringing the institution to full certification status issued by the U.S. Treasury Department. Cornelius attained a bachelor’s degree in business management, is a certified trainer and presenter in various asset building strategies and serves as a congressional advocate for Native financial literacy efforts.
For more information about First Nations Oweesta Corporation, visit www.oweesta.org.
Contact:
Jon Panamaroff, Executive Director & Senior Vice President
303-774-8838
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