Whitney O’Rourke is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She is a 4th generation rancher who grew up on her family ranch near Interior, South Dakota which is located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Whitney graduated from South Dakota State University where she received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Economics. Before coming to Akiptan, Whitney worked for Lakota Funds; a Native CDFI located in Kyle, South Dakota. During her time there, she and Tawney Brunsch, Executive Director of Lakota Funds created the Lakota Federal Credit Union also located in Kyle, SD which launched in 2012, where she became the Branch Manager until 2016. Whitney then went on to work for Thunder Valley as the Chief Financial Officer and the Indian Health Services as a Billing Technician. She enjoys working on her family ranch, spending quality time with her family, and friends.