As a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, Stephanie has committed her life to working with and for Native communities. Based on a colorful childhood, growing up in foster care, separated from her Lakota family, she committed herself to finding her way home, and making amends for the historical injustices her family endured for generations. Since she was a young girl, she always believed in the power of hope. As an adult, working across Native communities, she soon realized hope is the common denominator across all Indigenous communities. Hence, the creation of Hope Nation. Prior to her role as consultant, Stephanie spent 25 years in positions of executive level management, grants management and student support at a leading academic and research institution. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lindenwood University and a Master of Social Work degree from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. Her current work is focused on the Indigenous Community Wealth Building framework as the lead creator of ICWB training and curriculum. In addition, she shares her professional capacity building knowledge and skills in the areas of child welfare, community development, and economic development, always in service to Native communities. Stephanie is married to her best friend and biggest supporter, Trace Gutierrez, and lives on a small farm in New Haven, Missouri. Her greatest accomplishment is being the mother to three children- Ashley, Tom, and Molly, and GG to two grandchildren-Leland and Josephine.
