WIHEDC members collectively bring millions of dollars to Wisconsin Indian Country from corporations, foundations, and government programs, offering a broad range of loan products and capacity-building services to Native individuals, families, businesses, and communities. The conference created a space for industry leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore emerging trends in economic growth, with a particular emphasis on Native communities in Wisconsin and nationwide.
Pete Upton, CEO of the Native CDFI Network (NCN), Pamela Boivin, NCN’s CCIA Program Manager, and Daniel Wiggins Jr., Executive Director of MTERA, participated in a panel discussion of the GGRF Clean Communities Investment Accelerator and Solar For All programs. Upton shared his appreciation for the insights he gained into Wisconsin’s Native CDFIs and the communities they serve, highlighting key initiatives driving economic development in Indian Country and the importance of grassroots engagement in these efforts.
Boivin was honored by WIHEDC for her years of dedicated service, including her leadership as Chair of WIHEDC and her work in various governor-appointed roles. Upton reflected on Boivin’s invaluable contribution, stating, “NCN is very fortunate to have Boivin working for us. With Pamela working for NCN in a Native community, that is powerful. It would be hard to truly understand the pulse of the communities we serve if all our staff were located in Washington, D.C.,” Upton said.
During the awards ceremony, 22 Native entrepreneurs were awarded $5,000 grants to help grow and strengthen their businesses. This initiative marks a significant step in fostering sustainable economic growth and supporting Native entrepreneurship within Native communities.
Reflecting on the event, Upton expressed his admiration for the collaboration and support among Native CDFIs: “I was truly impressed by the collaboration and support Native CDFIs provide to one another. This event was inspiring, showcasing the remarkable work that Native CDFIs continue to do across the country. Our Native CDFIs have so many great leaders, locally and nationally. Fern Orie, CEO of WIHEDC, is truly a great leader. This was the inaugural annual conference for WIHEDC, and it was truly inspiring. You couldn’t tell it was the first—it was very well attended, and the content delivered by all presenters was top-notch,” Upton said.