Meet the Tipi Raisers Team

HOUSING REPAIR TEAM
AIMEE WHITE PIPE | BENNY HILL | JAMIE GHOST | NORBERT BELL

These Tribal members work year-round as a part of our team to help mitigate conditions of poverty on Pine Ridge.  The team repairs and replaces roofs and siding, puts up trailer skirting, builds and repairs wheel chair ramps, mills logs for new home construction, replaces windows and other miscellaneous home repair needs that arise in their communities.  In addition to home repair and construction, the team also helps to deliver needed supplies across Pine Ridge as well as cuts and delivers firewood. 

DUWANA TWO BULLS
CALL CENTER COORDINATOR

I was born and raised on the pine ridge reservation to a life long police officer and an educator.  The career paths they chose inspired me to want to give back to those who don’t have the opportunities that I have had.  I joined the army in the hopes of serving my country, which I did honorably.  I have lived off the Rez for many years but the connection to my homelands and people never wavered.  I’m fortunate to be able to help in my current position and will continue to do so. 

GAYLA WEASEL BEAR
LITTLE FINGER FACILITY COORDINATOR

Gayla lives in the #4/Payabya community of Pine Ridge and has become an integral part of Tipi Raiser's volunteer groups and Gen7 events. Gayla oversees our physical plant on Pine Ridge including food pantry management, maintenance and cleaning. Gayla works to organize and prepare food and supply boxes for distribution and cooks for volunteer groups when they are on Pine Ridge. Gayla has worked with young people in the child care setting on Pine Ridge for several years.

LORI VENTIMIGLIA
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Lori supported the Executive Director (and husband) in growing the Tipi Raisers before she finally joined formally as the Director of Advancement in 2018. While most of Lori's work is "behind the scenes", she makes a point of going into the field often as she is inspired by the work and cherishes her relationships with her friends on Pine Ridge and the volunteers. In addition to managing communications and the overall grant and fundraising activities, Lori co-manages events, Gen7 Youth Leadership and day to day administration and program strategy and development.

Lori currently sits on the Board of Directors of the American Indian Academy of Denver. Prior to joining The Tipi Raisers, Lori opened an elementary school in her community and worked as Director of New School Development at the Colorado League of Charter Schools. There she worked for over six years, assisted over 50 new schools in opening their doors and wrote, received and managed over 1.5 million dollars in grant funding.

Together, Lori and Dave have raised three inspiring young adults who care about social justice and love connecting into the Tipi Raiser's work both on and off Pine Ridge. The couple's three nearly grown children have been visiting and volunteering on Pine Ridge since they were toddlers and the three contribute and believe deeply in the work and the mission of the organization.

Maria Wischmeyer
volunteer coordinator

A former graphic designer,  Maria works part-time acquiring material donations in the Denver metro area. She helps with food/supply drives and the annual Holiday Gift drive. When not collecting for The Tipi Raisers, Maria works for Denver Public Schools as a kindergarten paraprofessional. She also enjoys beekeeping and horticulture. Maria's walk with The Tipi Raisers would not be possible without the generous contributions, support and encouragement of her family.

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Mary WEASEL BEAR
Gen7 Field COORDINATOR

Mary is Tribal member on Pine Ridge who has always been inspired to be involved in community service which stemmed from her Parents example of serving their people, whether it be delivering food boxes or shoveling snow.

Mary has been active with the tribal youth shelter since she was 18 years old, and still is actively involved.  As a youth mentor Mary organized many youth workshops, showcased tribal music artists, community clean-ups and a youth camp on Pine Ridge as well as the black hills.

Mary will be working directly with the Gen7 youth to plan and execute events, engage the youth in activism and meaningful projects in their communities and to grow and evolve the Gen7 program.​​

Sharon Newhof
accountant

Sharon has been working in the accounting field for many years.  She is also a counselor and previously worked in the faith community as a minster.  Sharon joined the Tipi Raisers team in early 2020 and is enjoying the process of setting up a great system so Dave, Lori, the Board and Staff can concentrate on doing what they do best! ​

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dave Ventimiglia

Dave has been working, playing, praying and building relationships with the Lakota People on Pine Ridge since 1990. He became the Executive Director of Ti Ikciya Pa Slata Pi/The Tipi Raisers in 2011.  Dave grew the organization from its humble beginnings, and now is often found on Pine Ridge working with the Lakota People, running volunteer trips and overseeing housing repairs and other projects across the vast reservation. 

​Prior to joining the Tipi Raisers, Dave spent over 15 years running a wilderness therapy program for at-risk youth in which service trips to Pine Ridge and other Native communities were often incorporated. 

Dave is the father of three amazing young adults, who all enjoy engaging with volunteer groups and working on projects on the reservation as their schedules allow.