About

Kristine Locklear Urrutia (Lumbee), 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.

Tolani Franks (Catawba), Program Officer – Indigenous Communities

Tolani Franks is a proud citizen of the Catawba Nation and a seasoned grants professional with 17 years of experience. As a Program Officer, Tolani has deep community roots and possesses exceptional skills in grant management and partnership building. Driven by a passion for advancing programs that uplift the Catawba Nation and other communities, Tolani is dedicated to making a positive impact.

Outside of work, Tolani values family time, embraces fitness as a lifestyle, and enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. Guided by the mantra “No Worries,” Tolani approaches the Program Officer role with calm, resilience, and dedication, inspiring others to adopt a similar mindset.

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.

Ashley Honeycutt (Catawba), Administrative Coordinator

With 12 years of experience in corporate, non-profit, and small business administration, Ashley is known for her hands-on approach to complex logistics with a collaborative, relatable spirit. When she isn’t managing mission-driven projects or coordinating organization programs, Ashley is a dedicated advocate for animal welfare, often spending her time volunteering at local pet sanctuaries and supporting pet wellness initiatives. She thrives on aligning operational excellence with community-focused goals, ensuring every interaction creates a meaningful and lasting impact.

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.