Grants Compliance Officer, Financial Resources

• Oct 2021 - Present

Director, Office of Grant Services

• Jan 2015 - Oct 2021

― Develops and administers a system for investigating and monitoring assigned projects for compliance with applicable rules, regulations, and other applicable funding requirements ― Oversees implementation of new grant programs ― Creates, designs, and implements processes and procedures related to grant management and proposal development ― Analyzes information received regarding grants and makes recommendations to Treasurer/Controller concerning the renewal of grants ― Researches policies to ensure proposed activities and budgets are in accordance with Cherokee Nation’s policies and funding agency’s requirements ― Appraises validity of documents for compliance with state, federal, private or other applicable funding policies used in processes ― Monitors progress towards project goals, objectives, outcomes, and deliverables through regular communication and meetings; researches Cherokee Nation’s policies and procedures to ensure implementation and budgets are in compliance ― Coordinates with Federal agencies on audit results, develops corrective plans of action, and implements procedures for improvement ― Submits quarterly reports to Treasurer with regard to the success and effectiveness of the department

Manager, Grants Management

• Aug 2013 - Jan 2015

― Maintains central control system for all award/contract deliverables and compliance ― Provides technical support leadership regarding grants/contracts to resolve issues and correct deficiencies as needed ― Reviews grant awards for accuracy and coordinates meetings with program personnel to review terms, conditions, grant requirements, and writes periodic reports ― Performs full life-cycle grant administration reviews, from set-up to closeout, and collaborates with Program Directors to plan, organize, and execute grants to ensure adherence to all grant requirements and regulations ― Analyzes and makes recommendations on proposed federal regulations, program policies and program activities to appropriate parties ― Develops processes and implements procedures and controls to promote communications and adequate information flow ― Coordinates signature process/dissemination and agency correspondence grants/contracts to appropriate departments ― Performs the role of Organization Master Account Holder for the eCivis grant software ― Remediates findings on external entity audits and reviews for Cherokee Nation

Grants Compliance Manager

• Sep 2010 - Aug 2013

― Prepares, reviews and executes budgets ― Maintains central control system for all award/contract deliverables and compliance ― Provides technical support leadership regarding grants/contracts to resolve issues and correct deficiencies as needed ― Monitors payments and reconciliation of funding provided under existing Funding Agreements for DOI and IHS ― Tracks funding allocations and annual expenditures for “earmarked” self-governance programs to insure compliance with federal appropriations law ― Analyzes and makes recommendations on proposed federal regulations, program policies and program activities to appropriate parties ― Develops processes and implements procedures and controls to promote communications and adequate information flow ― Coordinates signature process/dissemination and agency correspondence grants/contracts to appropriate departments ― Participates in Tribal Work Group meetings, coalition meetings and strategy sessions for PL 102-477, IHS, and DOI ― Maintains administrative records including official original grant/contract documents

Adjunct Instructor

• Jan 2009 - Dec 2012

― Instructed Financial and Managerial Accounting Classes ― Instructed Governmental Accounting Classes ― Instructed Financial and Managerial Accounting Classes ― Instructed Governmental Accounting Classes

Chief Finance Officer

• Jan 2009 - Sep 2010

― Prepared, analyzed and explained all financial information to management and Board of Directors as well as all external bodies ― Maintained compliance with all established regulations and accounting standards at local, state and federal levels ― Established policies and procedures for the accounting/finance department ― Supervised fulfillment of Memorandum of Agreement with the Cherokee Nation ― Prepared and directed the organization’s budgets ― Managed the financial operations and risk of the organization ― Forecasted and managed organization’s cash requirements and cash flow