Women-led Oweesta honored at the 2024 Stevie Awards for Women in
Business for its dedication to empowering Native communities and
supporting their growth and prosperity
LONGMONT, Colo., Dec. 3, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Oweesta Corporation, a national Native CDFI
intermediary helping to strengthen the foundation in Native
communities for sustainable, equitable growth and prosperity, has
been named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Nonprofit
Organization of the Year category at the 21st annual Stevie Awards
for Women in Business.
"Oweesta is deeply honored to receive this award, as it reflects
the remarkable achievements of Native communities across the nation
in their journey toward economic sovereignty," said Chrystel Cornelius, CEO of Oweesta Corporation.
"We are proud to facilitate access to financial tools, resources,
and opportunities that enhance the lending efforts of Native CDFIs
and drive sustainable economic growth. This award is a testament to
the collective power of Native communities and the resilience they
demonstrate in empowering their communities with financial tools
and resources. By fostering economic independence and inclusion, we
hope to inspire future generations while amplifying our impact and
supporting the shared vision of prosperity for all Native
communities."
As one of the largest facilitators of capital to Indian Country,
Oweesta offers financial products and services to Native CDFIs and
provides expert technical assistance and training to propel Native
people with the knowledge and skills to support strategic financial
decision making. This empowerment is key to advancing economic
growth and independence and contributes to the resilience and
prosperity of Native communities.
Since July 2022, Oweesta has
achieved significant milestones in supporting Native communities by
launching comprehensive training and certification programs. These
include the Native CDFI Practitioner Certification program,
covering all aspects of Native CDFI operations, and the Building
Native Communities Curriculum (first published in 2001), designed
to help Indigenous organizations establish financial education
programs. In 2024, Oweesta introduced specialized courses, such as
Financial Coaching with Families Next Level, Coaching for Credit
Building, Trauma-Informed Financial Practitioner and Financial
Confidence for Elders, addressing unique community needs.
Additionally, Oweesta expanded its capital base to over
$90 million in total assets and
$58 million in lending and secured
$156.4 million in Solar for All
funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further
its impact.
The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements
of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies
they run worldwide. The Stevie Award is nicknamed the Stevies for
the Greek word for "crowned." Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award
winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200
business professionals around the world, working on seven
juries.
Maggie Miller, president of the
Stevie Awards, said, "In its 21st year, the Stevie Awards for Women
in Business received an outstanding body of nominations. We are
gratified by how meaningful it is to women to win a Stevie Award,
and how impactful it can be on the futures of their careers and
their organizations. We congratulate all of this year's Grand,
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners for their
achievements."
More than 1,500 entries from organizations and individuals in 36
nations and territories were submitted this year for consideration
in more than 100 categories, including Executive of the Year,
Entrepreneur of the Year, Company of the Year, Startup of the Year,
Women Helping Women, and Women Run Workplace of the Year. Gold,
Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the
average scores of more than 200 business professionals around the
world, working on seven juries. Details about the Stevie Awards for
Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are
available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/Women.
About the Stevie® Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific
Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards,
The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®,
the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales
& Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology
Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie
Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from
organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. Honoring
organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them,
the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace
worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at
http://www.StevieAwards.com.
About Oweesta Corporation
Oweesta Corporation is the longest-standing intermediary for Native
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), serving as an
essential bridge between traditional lenders and underserved Native
areas. By addressing historical inequities and promoting economic
inclusion, Oweesta plays a vital role in fostering sustainable and
equitable growth that helps to strengthen the foundations of Native
communities. As the largest facilitator of capital to Indian
Country, Oweesta offers financial products and services to Native
CDFIs and provides expert technical assistance and training to
ultimately equip Native people with the knowledge and skills to
support strategic financial decision making. This empowerment is
key to advancing economic growth and independence and contributes
to the resilience and prosperity of Native communities. Based in
Longmont, Colorado, Oweesta is a
majority-Native, woman- and minority-led nonprofit organization.
Since its inception in 1999, it has funded more than 4,350 Native
businesses in 36 states, with its network of over 245 partners
disbursing more than 26,000 loans totaling over $826 million. For more information, visit
https://www.oweesta.org.
Media Contact
Michiko Morales, Gabriel
Marketing Group (for Oweesta Corporation), 202-805-2345,
michim@gabrielmarketing.com
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SOURCE Oweesta Corporation