Kristi Coker, executive director of the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC), recently was one of three chosen from hundreds within the Community Development Finance Institution industry to represent young rising leaders.
Coker received the Visionary Leader Award which recognizes a person who embodies a long-term contribution to the Native American Community Development Finance industry, and whose local asset building efforts make them an inspiration for others as the Native CDFI industry grows and matures. This award offers a cash award of $10,000 to use for the CPCDC’s operating and lending expenses. OFN officials said “What distinguishes Ms. Coker as a leader is not just her ability to lead her organization, but also her willingness to provide her time and expertise as a mentor and to share her organizational information to assist other Native and non-Native CDFIs. As a Native CDFI visionary leader she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Native CDFI industry.”
Coker and the CPCDC were awarded the Wachovia NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance which offers $25,000 in unrestricted grant prizes. The CPCDC was awarded the Community Impact prize for achieving a high volume of community outcomes, designing and implementing an effective impact tracking system, and regularly using their impact data to enhance their programs.
“Native American CDFIs are doing remarkable work under incredibly challenging circumstances. Kristi Coker represents the best of the best in these challenging times,” said Opportunity Finance Network President and CEO Mark Pinsky.
Coker said: “Community Development Financial Institutions are dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for all Americans. CDFIs work with partners in both the public and private sectors to help unlock the economic potential of lower-income and underserved communities.”
“The specialized financial expertise that CDFIs provide will continue to add significant economic value and complement market forces in the support of community economic development.”
As executive director of the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation, Coker has raised more than $12 million to address the lack of access to capital and business development services within Indian Country.
Coker was named the 2007 Oklahoma Minority Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Under Coker’s direction, the CPCDC has made over $14 million in loans to Native American entrepreneurs which has created over 568 jobs in Indian Country in six years.
In October of 2006, according to a press release, the CPCDC received the High Honors Award from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government – honoring contributions in the Governance of American Indian Nations Program.
Also in October of 2006, Coker accepted the Circle of Honor Award on behalf of the CPCDC at the first ever Native CDFI Award Ceremony hosted by Oweesta and Opportunity Finance Network.
Coker serves as the board president of Cross Timbers RC&D, chairman of the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Seminole State College Educational Foundation board member, and as a member of the New Markets Tax Credit Advisory Board for REI.
Nationally, Coker serves on the Board of Opportunity Finance Network and Oweesta.
Coker has more than13 years of extensive economic and community development experience.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Municipal Management from the University of Central Oklahoma and obtained Advance Professional Certifications from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
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Kristi Coker, executive director of the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation (CPCDC), recently was one of three chosen from hundreds within the Community Development Finance Institution industry to represent young rising leaders.
Coker received the Visionary Leader Award which recognizes a person who embodies a long-term contribution to the Native American Community Development Finance industry, and whose local asset building efforts make them an inspiration for others as the Native CDFI industry grows and matures. This award offers a cash award of $10,000 to use for the CPCDC’s operating and lending expenses. OFN officials said “What distinguishes Ms. Coker as a leader is not just her ability to lead her organization, but also her willingness to provide her time and expertise as a mentor and to share her organizational information to assist other Native and non-Native CDFIs. As a Native CDFI visionary leader she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Native CDFI industry.”
Coker and the CPCDC were awarded the Wachovia NEXT Awards for Opportunity Finance which offers $25,000 in unrestricted grant prizes. The CPCDC was awarded the Community Impact prize for achieving a high volume of community outcomes, designing and implementing an effective impact tracking system, and regularly using their impact data to enhance their programs.
“Native American CDFIs are doing remarkable work under incredibly challenging circumstances. Kristi Coker represents the best of the best in these challenging times,” said Opportunity Finance Network President and CEO Mark Pinsky.
Coker said: “Community Development Financial Institutions are dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for all Americans. CDFIs work with partners in both the public and private sectors to help unlock the economic potential of lower-income and underserved communities.”
“The specialized financial expertise that CDFIs provide will continue to add significant economic value and complement market forces in the support of community economic development.”
As executive director of the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation, Coker has raised more than $12 million to address the lack of access to capital and business development services within Indian Country.
Coker was named the 2007 Oklahoma Minority Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Under Coker’s direction, the CPCDC has made over $14 million in loans to Native American entrepreneurs which has created over 568 jobs in Indian Country in six years.
In October of 2006, according to a press release, the CPCDC received the High Honors Award from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government – honoring contributions in the Governance of American Indian Nations Program.
Also in October of 2006, Coker accepted the Circle of Honor Award on behalf of the CPCDC at the first ever Native CDFI Award Ceremony hosted by Oweesta and Opportunity Finance Network.
Coker serves as the board president of Cross Timbers RC&D, chairman of the Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition, Seminole State College Educational Foundation board member, and as a member of the New Markets Tax Credit Advisory Board for REI.
Nationally, Coker serves on the Board of Opportunity Finance Network and Oweesta.
Coker has more than13 years of extensive economic and community development experience.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science – Municipal Management from the University of Central Oklahoma and obtained Advance Professional Certifications from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.
