Employee Highlight: Patty Picotte

Akiptan is proud to introduce you to the team of people who are helping make a change in agriculture across Indian country. There are so many behind-the-scenes details that take place, and we are here to celebrate the team that does the work to make those processes happen. This month, we are highlighting our Administrative Officer, Patty Picotte. 

Patty moved to South Dakota from Cody, Wyoming, where she raised her daughters and raised and trained American Quarter Horses. In 2004, she attended Oglala Lakota College as a Native Studies major, with the intent to return to Wyoming and work in the Plains Indian Museum in Cody. She met and married her husband, Bill Picotte, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and moved to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, where they raised Bill's son, Tristan. After several years of living in various states, including the DC area, they recently returned to South Dakota. Patty's experience working for non-profits, housing development, and as an executive assistant has paved the way for her opportunity with Akiptan. 

How did you start in the Native Ag Lending Industry? 

While living in Wyoming, I worked with cattle drives, brandings, raising, and training American Quarter Horses. When I moved to South Dakota and married my husband, I enjoyed helping on his family’s ranch with brandings and their round-up. I was thrilled when I was hired at Akiptan to become an integral part of something so extraordinary.

What is your favorite part of working at Akiptan? 

Our staff is hard-working and good-natured. Our Staff knows that our organization’s success is a group effort, and everyone takes great pride in the services we provide. Our Executive Director has created a great work environment and understands the importance of work-life balance.

What would you say about the Akiptan team you work with? 

Our staff is extremely knowledgeable;  many grew up ranching or are currently operating their farm or ranch. They know firsthand the struggles of obtaining financing for their operations. The attention they give to each producer raised the bar for agriculture lending in Indian country. 

What do you think makes Akiptan Unique? 

Akiptan fills a void in agriculture in Indian country. For too many years, Native farmers and ranchers had to struggle with little to no opportunity for loans, technical assistance, or educational opportunities to grow their operation;some became victims of predatory lenders.  Our staff understands that their personal experiences are an asset. The success of our producers will always measure our success

How has your passion for assisting those in Native Agriculture financing developed since working at Akiptan? 

Akiptan, from day one, has set the bar for Native CDFIs. This success is contagious with our staff, and everyone strives to excel in their positions, from administration to the Loan and Program Departments and up the ladder to include our Executive Director and our Board.

What are some of the successes that have happened while in your role as an administrative officer at Akiptan? 

Some of my three big moments are helping to expand the onboarding and offboarding processes. I am also learning from classes in HR, event planning. 

What are your goals for the next few months or years as an Administrative Officer? 

I would like to continue my education in HR and to tailor it to the best things that will help in Akiptan’s team. Looking forward to doing the strategic planning with the team as well. 

What is one thing you would like people to know about your job? 

In my position as administrative officer, I wear many hats, from Human Resources to supporting our staff, event planning, assisting our new hires in navigating our systems, and ensuring our staff’s needs are always a top priority. I like to think all our administrative positions at Akiptan are equally important. We support each department in various ways, from data entry to proofreading; every aspect of each position has a critical role in our success.

Akiptan is excited about the work that we are able to do alongside producers across Indian country. To read more about who we are, you can read our staff blogs on our website at https://www.akiptan.org/akiptanblog