About Chrystel

Chrystel is the executive director of First Nations Oweesta Corporation located in Longmont, Colorado. As the only national Native CDFI intermediary, Oweesta’s mission is to provide opportunities for Native people to develop assets and create wealth by assisting in the establishment of strong, permanent institutions and programs, contributing to economic independence and strengthening sovereignty for all Native communities. She has been working for Native communities for her entire professional career, with 16 years of experience in the economic development field. She worked as a tribal planner for six years for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians before starting the Turtle Mountain CDFI, which she ran for seven more years. Chrystel is of Chippewa and Oneida descent and has a BS in Business Management. She is currently on the board of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the Turtle Mountain CDFI, and the Red Feather Development Group. She was born in Bernalillo, New Mexico, and currently resides in Colorado.