About Us
 The Harvest Initiative was organized in the spring of 2008 to create and facilitate economic activity on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation by investing in local ideas.
The Harvest Initiative resulted from a collaboration between a Des Moines, Iowa business executive and two Drake University law students. The business executive, Barry Griswell (former Chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group), together with his wife Michele, made several trips to the reservation and made several gifts to the community and the Boys and Girls Clubs on the reservation. However, Griswell wanted to work on a solution which would enable tribal members to improve conditions on the reservation and promote sustainable economic growth. Dustin Miller and Jason Yates, the two Drake University law students, worked with the Griswell family to create the Harvest Initiative and sustain it throughout its first few years of operation. Mr. Miller currently is a Program Specialist with USDA Office of Tribal Relations. Mr. Yates is an administrator for the Iowa Small Business Loan Program in partnership with the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
Hunkpati Investments is a Native CDFI organized in the spring of 2009 by a local Native majority Board of Directors with the help of the Harvest Initiative. Hunkpati Investments exists to provide basic financial services and help individuals overcome the barriers currently preventing access to credit and capital. Hunkpati Investments assists tribal members, either individually or cooperatively, through training entrepreneurs, providing access to capital where traditional financial institutions will not, and enhanced financial literacy.
The Harvest Initiative is currently run by Emily Trump, Executive Director. Ms. Trump received her J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she served for two years as part of the editorial staff of the Journal of Legislation and Public Policy. While working as a summer intern at Chadbourne & Parke, LLP, she assisted in the anti-eviction efforts of the legal services of CAMBA, a Brooklyn-based community organization serving low income families. She continues this grassroots level community work at the Harvest Initiative. Hunkpati Investments is also run by an Executive Director, Krystal Langholz. Ms. Langholz did her Master's degree at Colorado State University specializing in community development. During this time she interned at the Lakota Funds, another Native CDFI on the Pine Ride Sioux Reservation.
The Harvest Initiative Staff Hunkpati Investments Staff
 Emily Trump, Executive Director  Krystal Langholz, Executive Director
 Jenny Schroeder, AmeriCorps VISTA serving Boys & Girls Club of Three Districts
| The Harvest Initiative Directors |
Hunkpati Investments Directors |
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Lynn Graves, President
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Sandra Isburg, President
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Principal Financial Group
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Shelby's Convenience Store
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Rod Vaughn, Vice-President
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Myra Isburg, Secretary
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Diamond Willow Ministries
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Shelby's Convenience Store
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Jason Yates, Secretary
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Corrie Ann Campbell, Treasurer
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Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise & Community Vitality |
Pierre Public School District
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Julie Fuller, Treasurer
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Ronda Hawk
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Generations Wealth Management
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Boys & Girls Club of Three Districts
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Ronda Hawk
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Joe Sazue, Jr.
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Boys & Girls Club of Three Districts
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Crow Creek Housing Authority
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Sandra Isburg
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Wes Parsons
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Shelby's Convenience Store
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Wes Parson Fencing
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Lloyd LePage
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Tom Livermont
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Pioneer Hi-Bred
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Pergroup, Inc.
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Scott Oswald
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Cornerstone Homes, Waukee, IA
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The Right Reverend John Tarrant |
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Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota |
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Duane St. John
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Sara Miller
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