Sequoyah
Fund Staff, Board
of Directors & Cherokee Business Development
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Nell
Leatherwood
Chris James
Sherrene Swayney
Board of Directors
Nell Leatherwood
Executive Director
Nell joined Sequoyah Fund in February of 2006. She has a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of North Carolina. Prior to coming to Sequoyah Fund, Nell worked as the Director of Finance and Administration and 
Sponsored Academic Programs at Western Carolina University where she was responsible for expanding the organization’s capacity to deliver strategic regional economic development initiatives. Nell also worked as Executive Director of Western North Carolina Tomorrow, a regional “think tank”, which identifies and addresses economic, social and environmental issues impacting the twenty-five far-western mountain counties of North Carolina. Nell recently became a member of Mountain BizWorks (formerly Mountain Microenterprise Fund) Advisory Board. Nell is responsible for managing all staff and operations for the Sequoyah Fund.
Chris James
Associate Director & Loan Officer
Chris joined Sequoyah Fund in February of 2006. Chris is of Cherokee descent and his family has operated businesses on the Qualla Boundary for 45 years. He has a Bachelor's Degree 
in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and a Master's Degree in Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University. Prior to coming to Sequoyah Fund, Chris worked as the vice president for the family business, Food Enterprises, Inc., which is the holding company for several restaurants in the area. Chris is responsible for the deployment of Sequoyah Fund loan products. He also conducts community outreach and plays an important role in the organizational development work of Sequoyah Fund including the implementation of policy and procedures.
Sherrene Swayney
Portfolio & Finance Manager
Sherrene joined Sequoyah Fund in July of 2006. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Sherrene has an Associates Degree in Microcomputer Systems Technology and a Bachelor's Degree in Business in 
Information Systems. She worked the previous two years as a Business Resource Coordinator for Cherokee Business Development, which managed the Tribal Revolving Loan Fund before it was transferred to Sequoyah Fund. Sherrene is responsible for managing accounts payable and receivable for the loan fund products, tracking the loan portfolio performance and preparing reports for the Executive Director, the loan committee, and the Board of Directors.
Back (l-r) Nathan Robinson, Jerry Boone, Carolyn Rice, J.L. Burgess. Front (l-r) Richard Sneed, Ellison Rudd, Ray Rose.
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
(*) = Enrolled Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
President
Jerry Boone
Mountain Credit Union
Vice-President
J.L. Burgess (*)
Fort Tomahawk Gift Shop
Treasurer
Ellison Rudd
First Citizens Bank
Secretary
Richard Sneed (*)
Cool Valley Motel
Carolyn Rice
Discount Cigarettes
Nathan Robinson (*)
El Camino Motel
Ray Rose (*)
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
Gloria joined Cherokee Business Development in 2002 starting as a Business Development Specialist. In 2006 she became the Director. She is an enrolled member of 
the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Gloria has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Montreat College. She was instrumental in helping establish Sequoyah Fund as an independent Native CDFI and works closely with the Fund’s Executive Director to ensure an effective partnership between the two operations. Gloria is responsible for managing all staff and operations for Cherokee Business Development.
Hope Huskey
Business Development Specialist
Hope joined Cherokee Business Development in 2004. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Hope has a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from the University of North 
Carolina. Hope has worked for a mortgage company, EBCI’s office of budget and finance, and EBCI’s former business development center in Asheville. Hope is responsible for providing business counseling and coaching services. She also facilitates training classes, helps small businesses identify federal procurement opportunities, and supports business owners in completing business plans and other information needed to submit a loan application to the Sequoyah Fund.
Jacob Reed
Business Development Specialist
Jacob joined the Business Development Center in July of 2007; prior to which he worked in the Regulatory Compliance Department at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel, 
where his duties included ensuring that the Casino operated in accordance with Federal, State, and Indian Gaming Laws. He is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Jacob has a B.S.B.A. in Business Administration from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. Jacob has experience assisting clients with procurement contracts and opportunities, contract, budget, and database management, writing, and training. His administrative duties include the management of confidential client records, entry of client information into the departmental database, the preparation of activity reports and the development of resources and relationships to support the mission of the Business Development Center. He also assists in the planning of training opportunities for the department and members of the Tribe. Jacob has an intimate knowledge of business requirements and resources, as well as excellent communication and personal skills.
Kimberly Winchester
Business Development
Resource Coordinator
Kimberly joined the Business Development Center in 2008. She has been working for the tribe since 2006. 
As Resource Coordinator, Kimberly helps clients with the application forms necessary to start a business, enters client information into the departmental database, and schedules business classes and seminars for the public. She is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She is a full-time student at Southwestern Community College, working towards an AA/College Transfer. She plans to attend Western Carolina University to earn a degree in business administration.
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