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Native CDFI Network team shares how they're nurturing clean energy initiatives across Indian Country, making a future where “energy independence is normal” by connecting cultural traditions with modern financial innovation.
Behind the Native CDFI Network's Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program stands a team with an unwavering vision—one that sees beyond present challenges to a future where clean energy adoption in tribal communities is “inevitable.”
Pamela Boivin, a longtime Native finance executive who now serves as the initiative’s program manager, says NCN is “planting the seed of possibility” with Native CDFIs, nurturing what the team believes will naturally grow into energy independence across Indian Country. This certainty stems not just from program momentum but from something more fundamental: clean energy principles align perfectly with Indigenous values that have existed for generations.
“Native people have been practicing renewable energy sustainability our whole lives—it's in our culture,” says CCIA Quality Assurance Manager Imogene Manuelito, who brings three decades of experience to the team.
In this roundtable conversation, the NCN team implementing this transformative EPA-funded initiative shares how they're helping Native CDFIs build capacity that extends far beyond immediate clean energy projects—creating lasting economic infrastructure and demonstrating capabilities that will reshape tribal communities for generations to come, regardless of the challenges they face along the way.
Meet the Team
Kristen Wagner serves as NCN's National Program Director, bringing two decades of experience in economic development, policy advocacy, and nonprofit leadership to her role. Wagner leads all operations for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator program, managing the complex system while ensuring the initiative effectively serves both Native CDFIs and their communities. Her extensive background working with Native and rural communities has prepared her to design the program from its inception and navigate its implementation challenges.
Pamela Boivin (Menominee) brings invaluable insider perspective as CCIA Program Manager. Before joining NCN, Boivin spent 17 years at a Native CDFI in Wisconsin, working her way from administrative assistant to executive director. This comprehensive understanding of CDFI operations informs her leadership in designing and implementing the CCIA program. Boivin oversees infrastructure development, including the clean energy finance certificate program, application processes, and resource development to support participating community lenders.
As CCIA Regional Coordinator, Jodi Fischer (Wyandotte) serves as the primary contact for community lenders, providing hands-on assistance with applications, documentation, and technical guidance. Her background combines education and practical experience implementing federal programs like HUD, along with work in a Wisconsin Native CDFI. This diverse experience has equipped Fischer to help launch the program quickly while adapting to evolving challenges and requirements.
Imogene Manuelito (Navajo) brings over 30 years of federal contract and grant management expertise to her role as Quality Assurance Manager. Her career began at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, giving her firsthand knowledge of tribal programs and infrastructure needs. Manuelito later worked for 20 years with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she gained exposure to cutting-edge research in renewable energy. She now manages compliance for the CCIA program, simplifying complex government requirements into actionable processes for tribal communities.
Rounding out the team is Stephanie Prater, Senior Financial Manager, who oversees the financial components of the program. With a background in public accounting, Prater manages record keeping, documentation, reporting, and compliance requirements. As the program moves into the capital deployment phase, she will monitor fund movements and ensure community lenders maintain proper financial documentation throughout the process.
Measuring Impact and Building Capacity
When asked about measuring the impact of their work, the team emphasized both data-driven metrics and systemic change.
“For the government to communicate that this is productive and beneficial for taxpayers, they need data,” Manuelito explained. “My goal is to make data collection user-friendly for tribes, breaking down 60 pages of government requirements into manageable tasks.”
Fischer focused on the readiness of community lenders: “I'm looking at whether they have defined pipelines, products ready to go, and if their staff has the knowledge and systems needed. Clean energy isn't something most of our community lenders have experience with, so we're building that expertise.”
Boivin highlighted the importance of systems change: “We're seeing CDFIs use what they have and add new tools we've shared. The bigger picture impacts are when a CDFI brings on a new lending product or hires a new staff member to bridge the access to capital gap for their communities.”
A key accomplishment has been helping CDFIs develop new loan products. Wagner shared the story of Christopher Coburn with PBM Lending: “His group had never done solar lending before. They took our course through the University of New Hampshire, and now have loan products to support solar that diversify their portfolio and attract other capital. They're also educating tribal partners who hadn't considered clean energy as an option.”
Navigating Challenges While Maintaining Vision
Despite funding delays and administrative challenges with the EPA, the team remains optimistic. According to Fischer, community lenders aren't questioning the program's value—they're asking about timelines and what they can do to prepare in the meantime.
“The vibe from lenders is ‘When can we get started?’ and ‘If we can't get started now, what else can we do?’” Boivin shared. “Partner support has been steady. Where we've seen hesitation, it's been strategic recalibration rather than withdrawal—the commitment to this work remains very strong.”
When asked if clean energy will happen in Indian Country regardless of program funding, the team was unequivocal.
“It's inevitable,” Fischer stated. “The timing might differ without this direct infusion of capital, but the interest has been sparked. Our CDFIs have pipelines and loan products ready to go. They're doing market outreach already, and that doesn't go away if capital becomes harder to find.”
Wagner added: “We've taken the position that this is important for Indian Country and for the Native CDFI industry. We haven't stopped our operations—we've actually scaled up and are looking for new strategic partners. Indian Country is adaptable. Anything that comes our way, we're going to tackle it as long as we keep our North Star in mind: community impact, economic prosperity, and creating sustainable systems for the next generation.”
Beyond Clean Energy: Building CDFI Capacity
A crucial aspect of the CCIA program is how it strengthens Native CDFIs beyond just clean energy lending.
“Many CDFIs are already doing small business lending, mortgage lending, or credit repair work,” Wagner explained. “This opportunity has seeded new ideas about how they could expand their existing work to include an energy component. We're seeing their vision grow as they explore different ways to impact their communities.”
The team highlighted examples of CDFIs expanding their capabilities:
“Four Bands (in South Dakota) is modifying their home repair loans to include energy-efficient appliances and thinking about how a roof repair could support solar panels,” Wagner noted.
Fischer added: “One NCDFI is considering modifying their small business loans to help Native fishermen increase energy efficiency and decrease reliance on diesel generators, which not only introduces clean energy but decreases costs and increases profitability.”
The program is also fostering collaboration between CDFIs. “For so long, Native communities and CDFIs have had to work in silos,” Fischer observed. “We're starting to see coalitions form in regions like North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Mountain Plains. CCIA is increasing peer-to-peer mentoring, helping emerging CDFIs pair with established ones so they don't have to spend 10-15 years figuring it out.”
Vision for the Future
The roundtable concluded with team members sharing their vision for the program's long-term impact on Native communities.
Boivin envisions Native CDFIs “owning the power they hold as tools within their communities—leading climate solution potential and being key financing institutions for infrastructure. I see them shaping federal policy using their impact and success stories, building from the ground up.”
Wagner pictures “Native CDFIs that are fully capitalized and trusted entities, not only in their own communities but regionally or nationally, as cornerstones of economic prosperity. The next generation will see that community wealth, energy independence, and good living is not only possible but normal, expected, and achievable.”
Manuelito emphasized how the program demonstrates capability: “We need to show we're capable of managing resources, managing money, and what we're entrusted with. We're accountable, business-wise, and you can trust us to fulfill what we say we're going to do.”
Fischer foresees a transformation in collaboration: “We'll see the growth happen faster, on a larger scale, and be able to attract bigger investors and federal funds because when we amplify our impact, we can attract larger capital.”
Prater summed up the ultimate goal: “Native CDFIs can be a staple in their communities, allowing people access to homeownership, car ownership, and small business ownership—the foundation of what we build and what we are proud of in our communities.”
The Native CDFI Network (NCN) was formed in 2009 to unify Native CDFIs serving American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. NCN advocates for policy changes, increased resources, and innovative capital strategies to expand lending and investment in Native communities.
This interview was conducted by Native StoryLab, a full-service strategic media and marketing arm of Indian Country Media LLC, specializing in authentic Indigenous storytelling and communications.