Our Team
Paul Huberty - Executive Director
Paul F. Huberty is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) in Minnesota. Paul spent his career in the health care industry and held executive leadership positions at nonprofit organizations ranging in size from $300 million to $3 billion in revenue. Paul received his Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University and his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degree in Finance from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Paul and his wife live in Lander, WY.
Erika Warren-Yarber - Director of Business Development
Erika has coached numerous sports over the past 16 years including college basketball, high school basketball and swimming and competitive soccer. Prior to the Wind River Development Fund, Erika was a sales consultant for Fremont Ford. Erika is the proud mother of two girls and she enjoys spending time with her family, coaching and playing sports, and being outdoors.
Marie Mellick - Director of Lending
Marie Mellick grew up on a small wheat farm on the Coeur d’Alene reservation and she is a descendent of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Agricultural Science, Communication, and Leadership. She has experience in tribal natural resource management, plant and soil science, and production livestock.
Marie joined Wind River Development Fund in 2022 as a Loan Officer. Marie always knew she was going to work in Agriculture and Indian Country. She knows how intimidating and discouraging conventional financing is and loves being a part of WRDF’s inclusive, intentional, and personable mission.
Marie loves meeting people in the community, spending time with her family, and traveling.
Shila Aragon - Office and Building Manager
Shila Kazee joined Wind River Development Fund in 2021. Shila is an enrolled member of Northern Arapahoe Tribe and grew up on the Wind River Reservation in the Johnstown Valley area. Shila has worked previously for numerous tribal programs where she saw the need for tribal members to become self-sufficient. She is passionate about making her community stronger and healthier. Shila is a mother of four children who she is raising with her fiancé. She enjoys singing in her car, traveling, and riding this roller coaster called LIFE.
Cora Lamebear - Accounting Assistant
Cora Lamebear was born and raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation. She is an enrolled Northern Arapaho Tribal member and she is part Cheyenne. Cora graduated from Central Wyoming College with an Associate’s Degree in accounting. While in college, she attended RES2020 as part of an internship where she learned about Native CDFIs and she was instantly drawn to their mission. Cora joined Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) in 2020. As Accounting Assistant, she is responsible for supporting the accounting department by performing clerical duties such as preparing reports, processing and recording transactions, filing, etc. Outside of her work Cora enjoys spending time with family and friends, going bowling, and discovering new music.
Johanna Whiteplume – Loan Administrator
Johanna Whiteplume is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Johanna was born and grew up on the Wind River Indian Reservation. She joined Wind River Development Fund in August 2023. Johanna graduated from Northwest Indian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Tribal Governance and Business Management, along with an Associate’s Degree from Salish Kootenai College in Business Technology. After being away from home for seven years, Johanna looks to assist WRDF in serving her community and growing businesses on the reservation and surrounding areas. Johanna is the mother of two children and enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Alexandra Calloway-Nation, Economic Development Fellow (IEDC)
Alexandra Calloway-Nation grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Economic Development from Portland State University and her Master of Arts in International Trade and Economic Diplomacy from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Alex is an Economic Recovery Corps Fellow working with the Wind River Development Fund.
