Desmond Bruguier is an enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Assiniboine and Sioux and an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran. He earned his BBA in Finance from CUNY Baruch in Manhattan, NY and his MBA from the University of Colorado-Boulder. His experience includes working with Tribes and Tribal organizations in energy development and project management from his time as a contractor with the BIA’s Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) as well as Tribal project finance as an AVP Business Development Officer at Native American Bank. Desmond also brings portfolio management and federal lending experience through his work at the U.S. Department of Energy Loans Program Office (LPO), where he supported large scale energy investments and infrastructure development.

Having grown up on the reservation, Desmond is personally aware of the systemic barriers to housing and opportunity in Native communities. He is driven by a vision of Native self-determination, where Natives have the financial knowledge, business acumen, and access to resources needed to thrive.

James “JC” Crawford is a partner at CBJ Producers, LLC, a housing consulting firm specializing in assisting Tribal Housing Authorities with various projects. He currently serves as Project Manager for the newly formed Great Plains Housing Initiative. With extensive experience as an elected Tribal leader and as Executive Director of a Tribal

Housing and Development Entity (TDHE), JC has been deeply involved in the housing sector. He has served on numerous boards of directors and collaborated with national housing professionals to establish a housing community development company. Throughout his career, JC has remained committed to working with housing experts to develop solutions that support new construction and homeownership within Tribal communities.

Amanda Standing Bear is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and a passionate advocate for Native communities, particularly in the areas of financial literacy, housing, and economic empowerment. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies.

Upon completing her degree, Amanda returned to her home community and began her professional journey with Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial as an AmeriCorps VISTA worker, where she worked on projects aimed at strengthening the financial well-being of Native people.

In 2018, Amanda transitioned into the role of Education & Housing Specialist at Mazaska, where she helped provide critical services around homebuyer education, financial counseling, and housing support to families in Native communities. Her work included leading initiatives to improve access to affordable housing and helping individuals navigate the often-complicated processes of homeownership and financial management.

In January 2024, Amanda transitioned to the role of Small Business Advisor at Black Hills Community Loan Fund. In this position, Amanda offered financial guidance to entrepreneurs, helping them access capital, develop business plans, and navigate the challenges of business ownership. Her expertise in financial literacy, paired with her commitment to community development, allowed her to make an impact in the lives of Native and non-Native small business owners.

In August 2024, Amanda left the Black Hills Community Loan Fund and transitioned to her current role as Operations Manager for the Great Plains Housing Initiative. In this new position, she continues her work in affordable housing, focusing on streamlining operations and increasing the capacity of the organization to serve Native communities in the region. Her experience in both financial education and housing development allows her to play a critical role in supporting the Great Plains Housing Initiative’s mission of improving housing quality and access for Indigenous peoples.