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.
Tina Cheney, Finance Director
With over two decades of experience in financial management in public, private, Native American government, and non-profit sectors, Tina Cheney serves as the Financial Director of Catawba Nation Foundation, where she oversees budgeting, compliance, and strategic financial planning, ensuring sustainable growth and mission alignment. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and commitment to transparency, Tina has successfully led initiatives improving operational efficiency and increasing funding impact across multiple programs.
Prior to joining Catawba Nation Foundation, Tina held key financial roles managing multi-million-dollar portfolios while cultivating strong relationships with auditors, board members, donors, and community stakeholders. She is passionate about empowering mission-driven organizations through financial stewardship and ethical leadership.
Outside the office, Tina enjoys mentoring young professionals and future leaders, including her amazing 23 grandchildren, and providing community service. She lives in Waxhaw, NC, with her husband.
Tanya Varanelli, Operations Consultant
Tanya Varanelli partners with nonprofit leaders and teams to build and implement practical processes that support organizational change and long-term sustainability. She is deeply passionate about the mission of the Catawba Nation Foundation, inspired by its commitment to cultural preservation, community empowerment, and intergenerational impact. Tanya is a current Nonprofit.ist member and an Apparo Expert Link Vendor. She also serves as a Women’s Impact Fund member, Board Secretary for GardHouse, and a cookie mom volunteer for the Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council. She lives in Huntersville, NC, with her family.
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.
