Our Dedicated Team
At Cedar Growth, our team is the backbone of our success. Each member is committed to fostering growth and innovation, ensuring we meet the needs of our community.
Becky Albert-Breed
Executive Director
Rita Casper
Housing Program Manager
Ashley Rice
Business & Development Manager
Kevin Stevens
Project Manager
Kelli Mitchell
Accountant
Becky Albert-Breed is an enrolled tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She holds a bachelor degree in accounting from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a MBA from Cardinal Stritch University. Prior work experience includes both internal and external auditing for City of Milwaukee, large corporate bank, tribal government & gaming. Ho-Chunk Nation financial positions include Treasurer, Business Finance Director over Casinos and C-Stores, and Legislative Financial Examiner. She was instrumental in advocating for positive change within the Children’s Trust Funds for her tribe. This effort lead to establishment of the Trust & Investment Committee to preserve and protect investments of her tribe with portfolios holding over half a billion dollars and has served on the committee since inception in 2011.
Becky has served as Chairperson at First Nations Community Financial (FNCF), a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since its inception in 2010. She is excited to recently transition to the Executive Director role at FNCF. She brings years of strong business management and financial skills to First Nations Community Financial (FNCF). Our organization is designed to help natives and surrounding communities’ access funds for personal growth such as home ownership, small business, investing and personal finance. This is close to her heart as she has focused on using her finance and business background to volunteer and help in the non-profit sectors within many diverse communities from 1988 to the present.
Rita Casper is a graduate of Winona Technical College with a degree in Business Management. She has 15+ years of experience in Customer Service, developing professional relationships with local vendors in Black River Falls and the surrounding communities. Most recently in her Mortgage loan processing experience, she developed great knowledge of the financial & housing Industry. Her prior positions resulted in development of many professional relationships that will benefit her in her current role. She likes to give back to the community through her volunteer work, most recently volunteers on her church finance board and the youth hockey board in Black River Falls. She is looking forward to growing with First Nations Community Financial, and helping customers along the way.
Ashley Rice serves as the Business & Development Manager at Cedar Growth. She is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe and holds Associate degrees in both Native American Studies with a Language Emphasis and in Human Services. Ashley brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including work as a Cage Cashier at Oneida Bingo & Casino, Prevention Specialist in-training at LCO Health Center, and several leadership positions at Bizhiki Wellness Center and Mino-Maajisewin. She has also served as a Project Manager for the FNCF/CG Comprehensive Opioid Substance Abuse Program. Ashley is deeply family-oriented, raised in a close-knit family and now a proud mother of two. She values her cultural practices and enjoys quiet moments amidst her busy schedule. Known for embracing challenges—even if she sometimes takes the long way around—Ashley brings humor, resilience, and adaptability to the Cedar Growth team. What she finds most rewarding is the strong network of support within the organization and the shared commitment to uplifting Tribal members and communities. For Ashley, the relationships built and the collaborative success of the team are what make the work truly meaningful.
Kevin Stevens, an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, is a dedicated leader committed to advancing tribal sovereignty, wellness, and community development. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Human Services, graduating summa cum laude, and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in the same field. His professional experience includes extensive work in tribal law with the LCO Tribal Court and service with the LCO Health Center’s Behavioral Health Department as both a Data Manager and Case Manager.
Beyond his professional roles, Kevin volunteers as Chairman of the LCO Tribe’s Enrollment Committee, reflecting his dedication to governance and community well-being. He values time with family and friends, as well as the opportunity to honor and uphold his inherent cultural identity.
Kelli Mitchell is an accountant with a strong background in banking, manufacturing and nonprofit accounting. A lifelong resident of Black River Falls and a proud member of the Class of 1987 at Black River Falls Senior High, Kelli earned her Associate Degree in Accounting from Western Technical College in 2003 and her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Lakeland University in 2011. Her career has included roles at HoCak Federal Bank, Ho-Chunk Gaming (formerly Majestic Pines Casino), and the Town of Brockway Treasury, where she gained nearly a decade of combined experience. Kelli is a mother of six and grandmother to five. An interesting fact about her: she is a high school trap shooting coach for her son and an eight-year breast cancer survivor. Though not currently affiliated with professional organizations, Kelli is deeply connected to her community. She finds her work at Cedar Growth deeply rewarding, as it allows her to support financial education, training, and community development—initiatives she believes are vital to continuing the transformation she has witnessed throughout her life in the Ho-Chunk community.
Kevin Stevens, an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, is a dedicated leader committed to advancing tribal sovereignty, wellness, and community development. He earned his Associate’s Degree in Human Services, graduating summa cum laude, and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in the same field. His professional experience includes extensive work in tribal law with the LCO Tribal Court and service with the LCO Health Center’s Behavioral Health Department as both a Data Manager and Case Manager.
Beyond his professional roles, Kevin volunteers as Chairman of the LCO Tribe’s Enrollment Committee, reflecting his dedication to governance and community well-being. He values time with family and friends, as well as the opportunity to honor and uphold his inherent cultural identity. At Cedar Growth, he is inspired by the collective mission of uplifting and supporting tribal communities across Wisconsin, while valuing the strong collaborative networks that drive meaningful and lasting positive impact.
What Our Team Says
“What I like most about working for Cedar Growth is the internal and external relationships I have built with our entire WIHEDC team as well as relationships with so many others working hard to support and build Native communities and entrepreneurs. I am proud of our hard-working, dedicated team & enjoy their company on this journey.”
Becky Albert-Breed
Executive Director
“I was born and raised in Black River Falls. My children were born here. Some of my grandchildren are being raised here. I grew up in a time when the native population in this community was economically disadvantaged. I have watched the Ho Chunk Nation grow and change the lives of its people. The transformation is incredible. I am excited to work with an organization that continues to enrich the lives of community members through financial education, training, business opportunities and community support.”
Kelli Mitchell
Accountant
“What I appreciate most about working for Cedar Growth is the shared commitment to uplifting and supporting tribal communities throughout the state. It is extremely rewarding to be part of an organization that prioritizes empowerment and positive impact, fostering economic development and resilience in Native communities. Additionally, I value the strong network of dedicated colleagues and partners I have gained, which creates a collaborative and inspiring work environment.”
Kevin Stevens
Project Manager
“I really enjoy working at Cedar Growth – Sense of purpose and opportunity to help others.”
Rita Casper
Housing Program Manager
“What I like most about working for Cedar Growth is the internal and external relationships I have built with our entire WIHEDC team as well as relationships with outside organizations. I also enjoy that we all work to support one another in our mission to help Tribal members and Tribal communities. We utilize each other’s strengths. It’s amazing when you see the entire outcome come to fruition.”
Ashley Rice
Business & Development Manager
Want to Join our Team?
Cedar Growth is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and make a difference in Native communities. If you’re committed to empowering others through financial education, lending solutions, and business support, we’d love to hear from you!
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