Staff & Board

Four Bands is proud of our highly experienced and qualified team of staff members and board of directors. As long-time residents of the area, our team has an intimate understanding of what it is like to start or expand a business on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and beyond. We believe that by helping this generation build assets, we are improving the quality of life for future generations. We are passionate about creating economic opportunities for individuals, families, and youth.
Alissa Benoist
Alissa Benoist
Director of Programs
Alissa@fourbands.org
April Anderson
April Anderson
Senior Loan Officer
April@fourbands.org
Chaylyn Birkeland
Chaylyn Birkeland
Agriculture Loan Officer
Chaylyn@fourbands.org
Darla Lawrence
Darla Lawrence
Director of Finance
Darla@fourbands.org
Elaine Neigel
Elaine Neigel
Business Loan Officer
Elaine@fourbands.org
Eunice Straight Head
Eunice Straight Head
Oyate Studio Coordinator
Eunice@fourbands.org
Hannah Higdon
Hannah Higdon
Communications Coordinator
Hannah@fourbands.org
Kelli Laurenz
Kelli Laurenz
Home Mortgage Navigator
Kelli@fourbands.org
Kristen Stambach
Kristen Stambach
Director of Lending
Kristen@fourbands.org
Lakota Vogel
Lakota Vogel
Executive Director
Lakota@fourbands.org
Ryia LeBeau
Ryia LeBeau
Oyate Studio Coordinator
Ryia@fourbands.org
Shalyn Hawley
Shalyn Hawley
Director of Operations
Shalyn@fourbands.org
Tommy Robinson
Tommy Robinson
Portfolio Manager
Tommy@fourbands.org
Tori Chasing Hawk
Tori Chasing Hawk
Consumer Loan Officer
Tori@fourbands.org

Mary Kaye Gesinger, Chairperson – Finance Director at Intertribal Agriculture Council; resident of Armstrong, SD; joined the board in 2022; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Seth Pearman, Vice-Chairperson – Tribal Attorney for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in Flandreau, SD; resident of Sioux Falls, SD; joined the board in 2018; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Katy Morgan, Treasurer – Deputy/Finance Director for Cheyenne River Housing Authority; resident of Eagle Butte, SD; joined the board in 2026; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.       

Noorie Brantmeier, Secretary – Partner at Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Assistant Professor at James Madison University; resident of Penn Laird, VA; joined the board in 2020; descendant of the Arapaho and Saponi tribes.

Summer Afraid of Hawk – Executive Director at CRST Cannabis Control Corporation, Inc.; resident of White Horse; joined the board in 2026; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Jade Farlee – Owner of Farlee Trenching and Trucking; resident of Eagle Butte, SD; joined the board in 2019; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.       

Mark Stevens – Assistant Vice President at 1st Financial Bank in Dupree, SD; resident of Dupree, SD; joined the board in 2022.