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Meet Our Board
Our Board of Directors represents a diverse group of Tribal Nations, business leaders, and community advocates dedicated to ensuring MNIBA remains accountable, strategic, and grounded in our mission.
Board Chair
Alisha Everwind
Alisha Everwind of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians is a dedicated leader in economic development and business strategy, specializing in supporting Native American businesses and entrepreneurs. As an operations professional, she has demonstrated experience in leading key departments to drive sustainable growth and process improvement, while her expertise in grant writing, strategic planning, and partnership development has secured millions in funding and technical assistance for Indigenous enterprises. With an MBA emphasizing American Indian Entrepreneurship and a passion for fostering economic self-determination, Alisha brings invaluable expertise to her role as an MNIBA board member, advocating for equitable opportunities and long-term success for Indigenous communities.
Photo credit Nedahness Rose Greene
Vice Chair
Dr. Veronica Veaux
Dr. Veronica Veaux is passionate about the future of Indigenous nations, especially through opportunities provided by leadership and business. In addition to being an Associate Professor of Business Administration, she serves as the 3M Endowed Chair of Accounting & Business and advisor to the BSU American Indigenous Business Leader Club (BSU-AIBL). She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from BSU, a Master of Business Administration in American Indian Entrepreneurship from Gonzaga University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University. Prior to her career in academia, Dr. Veaux has worked in human resources, public radio, and in student services at Leech Lake Tribal College. Her research interests include Indigenous women, leadership, business, entrepreneurs, and student engagement. Dr. Veaux primarily teaches courses in Entrepreneurship, Strategy, Management, and Human Resources.
Photo credit Nedahness Rose Greene
Secretary
Cassandra Okimosh
Cassandra Okimosh (Potawatomi/menomonie) is the General Manager of KC's Best Wild Rice and has a background in community service from work at the boys and girls club to ABE supervisor in Red Lake. More recently she was a Project Manager for Red Lake Inc. She holds a B.S. in Intercultural Studies and is passionate about Indigenous business development and cultural preservation. Cassandra is mother of 2 and lives in Northern MN.
Meet Our Team
At MNIBA, our team is made up of Indigenous professionals, community advocates, entrepreneurs, and allies who share a deep commitment to economic justice, cultural integrity, and Indigenous self-determination. We are guided by lived experience, community wisdom, and a shared vision of a thriving future for Tribal Nations.
We work in relationship with the people and places we serve—listening first, acting collaboratively, and always centering Indigenous values in our approach. Our team brings together a wide range of skills—from economic development and policy to community organizing and cultural stewardship—all in service of one mission: to support Indigenous prosperity now and for future generations.
Executive Director
Irene Folstrom
With over twenty-five years of experience advancing public policy, governance, and government affairs for Tribal governments, Irene Folstrom (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) serves as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance. Renowned as a dynamic, results-driven leader, Irene has cultivated a distinguished career dedicated to building Indigenous political power and advancing Tribal sovereignty.
Irene's expertise spans a broad spectrum of strategic initiatives, from securing substantial funding for critical projects to designing and implementing innovative programs that uplift Indigenous communities. Her collaborative approach has forged lasting partnerships among Tribal nations, state agencies, and federal entities, strengthening government-to-government relations and ensuring that Indigenous voices are at the forefront of policy decision-making.
Building on her extensive experience, Irene served as Director of Tribal Relations for the State of Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety, where she advised executive leadership on Tribal consultation and public safety matters and represented the Department in working closely with all 11 Tribal nations in Minnesota, as well as urban Indigenous communities. Prior to this, Irene led the government relations work for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, driving impactful change through innovative engagement strategies and visionary leadership.
Irene holds a law degree from Cornell Law School and a bachelor’s degree with Honors from Stanford University.
Marketing Director
Sarah LittleRedfeather Kalmanson
Sarah “LittleRedfeather” Kalmanson serves as the Marketing Communications Director for the Minnesota Indigenous Business Alliance (MNIBA) and is a proud tribal descendant of the White Earth and Lac Courte Oreilles Anishinaabe. Both her mother and grandmother hold enrollment status within these vibrant communities, grounding Sarah in a rich cultural heritage.
With over twenty years of extensive experience in the arts, cultural sector, and nonprofit organizations centered around movement and community wellness, Sarah has cultivated a robust skill set in various disciplines, including graphic design, marketing, media relations, business development, management, and strategic planning. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach challenges with creative solutions and innovative thinking.
Her unwavering dedication is focused on the success and ongoing educational initiatives of MNIBA, where she champions the importance of promoting Indigenous business and economic empowerment.
Throughout her career, Sarah has exhibited exceptional leadership qualities by spearheading acclaimed projects that highlight Indigenous voices and traditions. Her efforts have not only garnered recognition but also served to uplift and engage the community in meaningful ways.
Sarah’s adept expertise in design, graphics, marketing, and event planning has played a pivotal role in advancing the museum's mission, even amidst resource constraints. Her strategic initiatives have led to widespread acknowledgment and praise, solidifying her role as a key advocate for Indigenous representation and education in the arts.
