Staff & Board – Four Bands Community Fund

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.

Our Team
Board of Directors

Lakota Vogel

Executive Director

April Anderson

Loan Officer

Alissa Benoist

Director of Programs

Chaylyn Birkeland

Loan Administrator

Tori Chasing Hawk

Loan Officer

Shalyn Hawley

Director of Operations

Darla Lawrence

Director of Finance

Elaine Neigel

Loan Officer

Tommy Robinson

Regional Revolving Loan Fund Manager

Kristen Stambach

Director of Lending

Kelsey Scott, Chairperson
Natural Resource Director for Intertribal Agricultural Council in Eagle Butte, SD; resident of Armstrong, SD; joined the board in 2017; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, Vice Chairperson
Managing Director, North America / Global Strategic Partnerships Lead, Global Resilient Cities Network; principle and founder of Precovery Labs; resident of Takoma Park, MD; joined the board in 2020.

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

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

Seth Pearman
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.

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.

Brittany Brooks
Assistant Executive Director of YMCA Seven Fires in Dupree, SD; resident of Dupree, SD; joined the board in 2023.

Melissa Swan-Curley
Senior Loan Officer at Akiptan; joined the board in 2023; member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.