Where passion meets purpose
Our Mission
The Catawba Nation Foundation funds projects that focus on educational advancement, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and economic development for the Catawba Nation, Cleveland County and the surrounding region, and Native American Tribal Nations and communities throughout North Carolina.
Our Values
Collaboration
Community
Ethical
Leadership
Mutual Respect
Responsive
Our Team
Kristine Locklear Urrutia, Executive Director
Kristine is a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, equity, and organizational development. A proud citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Urrutia has a deep understanding of diverse cultures paired with entrepreneurial leadership skills that have enabled her to drive transformative change at organizations that include The JAN Collaborative, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and others.
Jesse Morales Harris, Operations Manager
Jesse has nearly a decade of experience in community economic development, financial services, and program implementation. Originally from Hoke County, NC, she has spent her career supporting nonprofits across North Carolina, including working with State Employees’ Credit Union and the NC Rural Economic Development Center (Thread Capital). Her studies at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding deepened her understanding of capacity-building strategies, and incorporated the wisdom of various Indigenous traditions.
Our Leadership
Jennifer Beck Walker
Senior Vice President, Bank of America
Citizen of the Catawba Nation
Nicole Braswell
Service Manager, Husqvarna Group & Board Member, Catawba Corporation
Citizen of the Catawba Nation
Newton Craver, Board Treasurer
President, Shelby Loan & Mortgage Corporation & Co-Founder, Legion Brewing Company
Lacey Edwards
Teacher, Arthur W. Edwards Elementary School
Citizen of the Catawba Nation
Phillip Glover
Retired State Trooper, North Carolina State Highway Patrol & Owner, Safe Lane Driving School LLC
Harvey Godwin Jr.
Owner, Two Hawk Employment Services
Former Tribal Chairman, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Deb Hardin
Commissioner, Cleveland County
Brian Harris, Board Chair
Chief, Catawba Nation
Citizen of the Catawba Nation
Patricia Leach, Board Vice Chair
Assistant Chief, Catawba Nation
Citizen of the Catawba Nation
Omar Porter
Director of Community Engagement, Cleveland County Community College
Brooke Richey
Marketing Professional
Citizen of the Catawba Nation
John Searby, Board Secretary
CEO, Executive Director, Catawba Riverkeepers & Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
The Catawba Indians have lived on their ancestral lands along the banks of the Catawba River dating back at least 6000 years. The tribal people called themselves yeh is-WAH h’reh, meaning “people of the river.” The Catawba have learned to survive through the changes around them while also continuing to preserve the most essential parts of our culture. Today, the Catawba citizenship is diverse, with more than 3,000 citizens.
The Catawba Nation is most known for its unique pottery, a craft that dates back at least 4,000 years. Clay for traditional Catawba pottery is dug from clay holes along the banks of the Catawba river, then is shaped by hand before it is fired, using traditional practices that give the work its distinctive look.
The Catawba Nation Foundation was established as part of the Nation’s 2021 Compact with the State of North Carolina. It is funded primarily from proceeds generated by the Nation’s Catawba Two Kings Casino.
