Our Team
Our Team
Allyssa Verstoppen
Executive Director & Director of Lending
Allyssa joined us in January 2023 as Director of Lending. With over 10 years prior experience in the business and agricultural lending industries, Allyssa hopes to bring her knowledge and skills to assist WFP achieve its mission.
Her current duties include assisting applicants in the credit approval and post approval process, credit analysis and underwriting, portfolio management and risk management.
Allyssa has a BS in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Allyssa is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians. In her free time, you will find Allyssa running, reading, baking, or enjoying her time with her husband, daughter and golden retriever named Oliver.
Jessica VanDerLinden
Executive Assistant
Jessica joined us in February 2023 as the Executive Assistant. Jessica brings 15 years of financial knowledge along with many years of leadership experience.
Her duties include coordinating and implementing office services such as payroll, purchasing, records control, document filing and retrieval, and accounting operations. She also assists in maintaining client loans by invoicing, documenting and loan payment tracking. She collects and prepares financial performance operation reports and statements. Jessica also acts as the recording secretary for the Board and Credit Committee meetings. She will assist in the planning and implementation of special events and projects.
Marina Frechette
Inter-Tribal Technical Assistance Manager
Marina joined us in April 2024 as the Inter-Tribal Technical Assistance Manager. She will assist with process management within the organization and support the work across all teams and Wisconsin Native CDFI target market areas. There is a continuous need for project management and expert guidance for organization, time management, communication, consistency, and accountability as we serve our communities in the best manner possible. The Inter-Tribal Technical Assistance Manager will also provide and assist potential and current clients with technical assistance as needed.
Marina is a member of the Menominee Nation. She brings with her a Business Administration Degree with an Emphasis in Tribal Management from Haskell Indian Nations University.
Her interests are running, reading, and renovation. She looks forward to helping native businesses in their endeavors.
Kalynn Merino
Loan Administrator
Kalynn joined us in March 2023 as a Technical Assistance Specialist. She is a First Descendant of the Menominee Indian Tribe, and currently working towards her Business Administration degree at the College of Menominee Nation.
Her duties include client intake, one-on-one assistance, linking clients to resources, and works closely with clients to achieve credit worthiness, business plan assistance and loan application assistance.
Whitney Schlemmer
Compliance and Strategy Specialist
Whitney joined the team in September 2023 as the Compliance and Strategy Specialist. In this position she will be responsible for the overall status of portfolios and assist in gathering and creating proper documents and/or reports for compliance purposes. Whitney will also help with monitoring the grant funds and obligations to ensure compliance with grants. She is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians. Whitney comes with years of nonprofit and program development experience. She has her bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Troy University.
The Board
WFP Board members represent an excellent cross section of our Target Market areas.
The Board is accountable to our Target Market thru public meetings, community involvement, and periodic public reporting and information.
Wesley Martin
President
Experience and knowledge of Native cultural heritage, Native dance performer, business person, and well versed in Native law.
Lew Boyd
Vice President
Menominee Tribal Member, Past Tribal Legislator and Community Development Manager for the Menominee Tribe. Experienced in project development, implementation, community planning, technical assistance delivery, project evaluation and Tribal liaison.
Emerson Coy
Treasurer
Lac du Flambeau resident. Head of the Lac du Flambeau Planning Department and Methodist minister.
Experienced in management, Tribal liaison, project design, implementation, reporting, impact measurement, financial supervision, and budget planning and control.
Pamela Boivin
Board Member
A Member of the Menominee Tribe, Pamela is familiar with Target Market residents, economy and challenges. She has a BA with honors in Political Science, and is certified in asset building strategies, financial education curriculum and financial curriculum training.
WFP is a member of the Wisconsin Indigenous Economic Development Corporation (WIEDC), and Pamela is a Chairwoman.
Brian Gauthier
Secretary
Lac du Flambeau Tribal Member and University of Wisconsin Resource Agent for Lac du Flambeau.
Experienced in business technical assistance and classroom training, facilitator, educator, program design, and implementation and impact measurement.
- Credit Committee -
WFP's five-member Credit Decision Committee is appointed by, and acts independently of, the Board.
The Credit Decision Committee reviews credit analysis and loan recommendations.
- Consultants -
- KerberRose, CPAs - Accounting and payroll services
- KRA Technology, Inc. - IT (Information Technology) services
- Hanaway Ross Law Firm - Loan closing, security filings and collections
- WIPFLI CPAs and Consultants - Auditing
- Perodigm - Marketing services
Resources
