Ryan Pulvermacher, Chairperson

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Ryan started his career as a casino marketing intern for the Ho-Chunk Nation, which he is an enrolled member of.  Through time he worked his way to Executive Leadership at Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells.  Looking to explore the private sector, yet still serve Indian Country, Ryan made a transition to M3 Insurance as an Account Executive where he currently specializes in property & casualty risk consulting for tribal governments and their diverse business enterprises.  Ryan is a first time Native CDFI Board Member and is currently serving on other Wisconsin Boards.

Nathan King, Vice-Chairperson

Nathan King is a Vice President of Bay Bank in Green Bay, WI.  He oversees the retail and administration aspects of the bank which include lobby operations, branch network, consumer products, strategic planning, human resources, and marketing.  Prior to working at the bank, Nathan worked for the Oneida Nation for nearly 20 years in various positions including as a community planner and most recently as Director of Legislative Affairs.  He was instrumental in advocating for the Oneida Nation’s goals at the federal, state, and local level for many years.  He is knowledgeable in every area of the bank and supervises about half of the bank staff.  Nathan has an MBA from Baker University.  Nathan in an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.

 Hinu Smith, Secretary

As a former Legislative Representative for the Ho-Chunk Nation, Hinu (Helgesen) Smith was responsive to her constituency especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Hinu was also responsible for updating existing and creating new Ho-Chunk Nation laws, codes, and ordinances.  Smith drafted and was responsible for the codification of the Ho-Chunk Nation’s Underage Drinking code, Rules of the Road code, and Licensure code, as well as lead the effort on many other updates and collaborations, which was an ongoing effort.  Smith lobbied at the state level on issues impacting Tribal membership and Nation sovereignty.  She also supported federal level efforts that benefited the Nation.

Hinu (Helgesen) Smith has been a strong supporter of culturally appropriate economic development for the Ho-Chunk Nation and communities she represented.  Smith took the lead making sure the Legislature applied for a major economic development, diversification and recovery grant opportunity for Ho-Chunk Nation, of which the Nation was awarded nearly $900,000.  Smith took the Legislative lead, collaborating on the Nation’s 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Window application to own broadband spectrum over Ho-Chunk Nation lands.  So far, the base license was awarded.

Smith also championed the effort separating the Ho-Chunk Nation museum from its government to eventually become an autonomous entity, allowing the museum to grow, unencumbered.  Hinu Smith currently works as an Indian Child Welfare Case Manager for the Ho-Chunk Nation Indian Child Welfare Program.  As a Case Manager, Smith monitors child welfare cases across the United States for compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act at the state and federal levels and collaborates with local child welfare agencies in the best interest of the Ho-Chunk child.  Hinu (Helgesen) Smith has a passion empowering her people and uplifting communities.  When she isn’t working, helping her family or contributing to the community, she is creating content for her new podcast series dedicated to development in Indian Country; stay tuned for more on that!

 Fern Vivian Orie, Board Member

Fern Orie is the Chief Programs Officer and Executive Vice President of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships for the Oweesta Corporation, the only national Native CDFI Intermediary offering financial products and development services exclusively to Native CDFIs and Native communities. For the past fourteen years, Ms. Orie served as the founding CEO of the certified Native community development financial institution (CDFI), Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, a statewide housing and consumer revolving loan fund. 

Ms. Orie has nearly 20 years of experience in the Native housing field. She is a strong advocate and very active in the Native community and economic development field in her region and at the national level. In addition, Ms. Orie serves on the Board of Directors and Loan Committee of Bay Bank, a tribally owned bank in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Fern is an enrolled tribal member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. 

Isaiah Ness, Board Member

Isaiah Ness is the CEO and Founder of Sun Bear Industries (SBI), established in 2022 to empower economically disadvantaged communities across the United States by advancing sustainable and reliable energy solutions. Under his leadership, SBI specializes in design engineering, feasibility studies, energy planning, and sustainable development, with a focus on supporting tribal nations in achieving energy sovereignty through innovative renewable energy projects. Isaiah’s commitment to fostering sustainability and economic equity has earned him widespread recognition, including his appointment to the board of RENEW Wisconsin and his selection as one of Wisconsin’s 40 Most Influential Black Leaders for 2024. With a proven track record of developing solar energy projects nationwide, Isaiah continues to drive impactful change in communities striving for energy independence.

 Kate R. Finn, Board Member

Kate R Finn is the Staff Attorney for the First Peoples Investment Engagement Program (FPEIP). Ms. Finn most recently served as the inaugural American Indian Law Program Fellow at the University of Colorado Law school where she worked directly with the tribes and Native Communities. Ms. Finn holds a J.D. and a Masters in Public Adminstration from the University of Colorado, and a B.A  from Princeton University.

Ms. Finn’s work encompasses strengthening healthy Native communities through economic development initiatives and addressing violence against indigenous women. She co-authored several articles on the intersection of resource development and violence against women in native communities. She works with the FPIEP to deploy shareholders advocacy tools to create mutually beneficial investment opportunities for indigenous communities and investors. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Finn served as a Program Coordinator with the Denver Victim Services Network ensuring that victims of crime in the Denver metro area had access to a comprehensive network of services.  She worked on the local level to connect services agencies, and also advocated at the federal level for adequate protection of victims of crime. Ms. Finn is a proud, enrolled member of the Osage Nation.