About

Our Story

A tribally-owned community development corporation building prosperity rooted in self-determination and cultural values.

Who We Are

Rising Ioway is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation established to serve Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska members through economic development, financial education, and community capacity building. We are a tribally-owned organization committed to building prosperity rooted in self-determination and cultural values. Our work is guided by the RISE framework: Reclamation, Investment, Sovereignty, and Empowerment. These four pillars shape everything we do—from financial literacy programs to entrepreneurship support to long-term community planning.

Our Mission

Rising Ioway is dedicated to building economic strength and self-determination for Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska members. Through the RISE framework—Reclamation, Investment, Sovereignty, and Empowerment—we create pathways to financial literacy, sustainable housing, entrepreneurship, and community-led development that honors our past while building our future.

Our Vision

We envision an Ioway community where every member has the tools, resources, and agency to build generational wealth, pursue economic opportunities rooted in cultural values, and shape our collective future through self-determined development.

What Guides Us

Our Values

Self-Determination

We believe economic decisions should be made by our community, for our community. Rising Ioway exists to support—not direct—the goals and aspirations of Ioway people.

Cultural Grounding

Our approach to economic development is rooted in Ioway values and traditions. We build pathways to prosperity that respect who we are and where we come from.

Community-Led Development

The best ideas come from the people who live the challenges. We listen first, plan together, and build programs that reflect the real needs and strengths of our community.

Generational Thinking

We're not just building for today. Every program, every partnership, every decision considers the future we're creating for the next seven generations.

Strength-Based Approach

We see assets, not deficits. Our community has deep wells of knowledge, resilience, and capacity. Rising Ioway amplifies what already exists.

Stewardship

We build for generations. We manage resources responsibly, strengthen the institutions entrusted to us, and make decisions with the long term well being of the Ioway community in mind.

The Framework

The RISE Framework Explained

Reclamation

Reclamation means taking back what was disrupted or denied. It's about restoring economic power, revitalizing traditional practices, and regenerating cycles of wealth that can sustain our community for generations. We're not starting from scratch—we're rebuilding on foundations that have always been ours.

Investment

Investment means building capital in all its forms: financial (microloans, savings, assets), social (networks, relationships, partnerships), and human (skills, education, leadership). We invest in our people because they are our greatest resource and our strongest foundation.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty means self-determination—the right to make our own economic decisions, shape our own futures, and define success on our own terms. Rising Ioway exists to strengthen community control over economic development, not to impose outside solutions.

Empowerment

Empowerment means providing tools, knowledge, and agency. Through financial literacy, entrepreneurship support, and skill-building programs, we give Ioway community members the power to shape their own economic destinies and contribute to collective prosperity.

Our People

Leadership

Jolene Walters

Chair — Tribal Administrator, Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska

Jolene Walters brings over 20 years of leadership experience serving Native communities, with deep expertise in program development, grant management, and tribal governance. As Tribal Administrator, she oversees strategic planning, financial management, and program implementation across tribal entities. She is committed to strengthening community systems and advancing opportunities that support long-term growth and self-sufficiency for tribal members.

Sarita McGowan

Secretary — Native American National Representative & Outreach Manager, Betty Ford Foundation

Dr. Sarita McGowan is a tribal member and nationally recognized leader in Native behavioral health, with extensive experience in substance abuse counseling, community outreach, and culturally grounded care. She works directly with tribes across the U.S. and Canada, integrating traditional values with modern recovery practices. Her vision for Rising Ioway centers on healing, empowerment, and strengthening individuals and families through culturally informed services.

Wayne Hegwood

Treasurer — Chief Financial Officer & Business Advisor

Wayne Hegwood is an accomplished financial executive with decades of experience in financial strategy, operations, and organizational growth. He has led large-scale financial initiatives, improved operational efficiency, and advised dozens of businesses on increasing profitability and long-term value. Wayne brings a strong focus on financial stewardship and sustainability to ensure Rising Ioway's programs are built for lasting impact.

Dr. Jason Pockrus

Executive Director

Dr. Jason Pockrus is a nonprofit executive and community finance strategist with over a decade of experience in public sector funding, economic development, and tribal initiatives. As the founding Executive Director of Ioway Community Enterprises, he leads the development of programs focused on financial access, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and long-term community growth. With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, federal grants and compliance, research, and community development, Jason works to build sustainable organizations and systems that translate resources into lasting opportunities. His vision for Rising Ioway centers on strengthening economic sovereignty, expanding access to capital and opportunity, and building the institutional capacity needed to support tribal members and the broader Ioway community for generations to come.

Mari Assefa

Director of Development

Mari Assefa is a tribal member and experienced operations and marketing strategist who brings over 20 years of agency experience to Rising Ioway's mission of economic sovereignty and community-led development. With a background spanning digital marketing, creative design, non-profit fundraising and organizational systems, she applies both strategic thinking and hands-on execution to building programs that serve the Ioway community. As Director of Development, Mari leads grant development, partnership building, and organizational capacity initiatives that translate Rising Ioway's vision into actionable pathways for tribal members. Her deep connection to the community, combined with her ability to navigate complex systems ensures that Rising Ioway's work remains grounded in both cultural authenticity and practical impact.

Halee Andrushchenko

Program Director

Halee Andrushchenko is an experienced educator and organizational leader who brings over a decade of teaching and adult education experience to Rising Ioway’s mission of community empowerment. As Program Director, she leverages her Master’s degree in Education and specialized training in trauma-informed practices to design and oversee initiatives that help individuals overcome barriers and build foundational skills. Drawing on her extensive background in intervention strategy and workforce readiness, Halee creates practical pathways for career preparation, literacy development, and mentorship that equip community members for long-term success. Her strength-based approach ensures that Rising Ioway's programs deliver the tailored, compassionate support participants need to achieve their personal and professional goals.