GALLERY: Meet the Ho-Chunk, Inc. Summer 2025 Interns!
Meet the Ho-Chunk, Inc. Summer 2025 Interns!
Ricky Suarez
Ricky is from Winnebago, an enrolled tribal member and is a part of the wolf clan. He is a senior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in accounting. This summer, he is interning with our Accounting department. He aims to deepen his understanding of how accounting supports decision-making within a tribally owned corporation. Ricky also hopes to gain hands-on experience in real-world accounting practices, including financial reporting, budgeting, and auditing.
Desia Kitcheyan
Desia is from Winnebago, and an enrolled tribal member. She is a junior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in Interior Design with minors in Community & Regional Planning and Business. Placed at Ho-Chunk Capital, Desia hopes to gain comprehensive exposure to the full development cycle, focusing on innovative office and housing design. She aims to deepen her understanding of community and regional planning, land acquisition, real estate management, maintenance, and project execution within the unique context of tribal development.
Zayne Bassette
Zayne is from Winnebago, and an enrolled tribal member. He is entering his final year at Little Priest Tribal College, where he’s pursuing a degree in liberal arts. This summer, he is interning with our Human Resources department. Through the internship, he looks forward to exploring HR and seeing if it’s a field he wants to pursue in the future.
Tyler LaMere
Tyler is from Winnebago and is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska/Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. They currently study performing arts and business & entrepreneurship at the Institute of American Indian Arts. This summer, they are interning with our Community Impact & Engagement team. Tyler hopes to gain technical skills in business, event planning, and community outreach.
Melaki George
Melaki is from Winnebago, an enrolled tribal member, and a part of the bear clan. This fall, Melaki will be a sophomore at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in architecture. Through this summer internship, he aims to enhance his professional skills and gain a better understanding of Ho-Chunk Farms operations.
Kelsi DeCora
Kelsi is from Winnebago, an enrolled tribal member and a part of the eagle clan. She recently graduated from Peru State College with her bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership. This summer, she is interning with with All Native Group in Fairfax, VA. She looks forward to learning more about the organization and gaining hands-on experience in the government contracting division. Kelsi is grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally, understand how the work behind the scenes supports the community, and continue her career development journey.
Shondeen Long
Shaúndíín or Shondeen (Shawn-deen) is part Hocak and Dine (Navajo). Her legal name means morning sunlight (morning blessings with sunlight). She is part of the bear clan and her Hocak name is Nąącgepįįwįnga (Good heart woman). She also has a Diné name that is Asdzaan bahazonii (Friendly/Happy Woman). She is on the pre-law route and is majoring in political science with minors in philosophy and Native American Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This summer, she will be interning with Flatwater Group.
Marcos Azpeitia
Marcos is from South Sioux City, NE., and is entering his second year at Western Iowa Tech Community College, where he is studying Cybersecurity. He is interning with our I.T. department and looks forward to expanding both his technical and soft skills, as well as building connections with everyone he can.
Cherish Flyinghawk
Cherish is from Winnebago, an enrolled tribal member and a part of the bear clan. Currently a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she is majoring in advertising and public relations with minors in sociology and marketing. Through her placement at Blue Earth Marketing, she looks forward to getting her foot in the door and potentially securing a marketing position in the near future. She also hopes to gain confidence in her career direction, along with professional growth in time management and independence.
Wallace Earth Jr
Wallace is from Winnebago, and an enrolled member. He recently graduated from Little Priest Tribal College and will be studying architectural engineering at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Wallace is interning with HCI Construction this summer. He looks forward to learning more about construction management, how to study plans, use construction software and how the different teams collaborate (architects, engineers, project managers, and construction, etc.).
Sylvia Valentino
Sylvia is from Walthill, NE., an enrolled member of the Onedia Tribe and a part of the turtle clan. She recently graduated from Central Community College with her associates degree. She will be continuing her academic and athletic career at York College this fall as a junior, majoring in psychology with a minor in business administration. She is placed with our Corporate Operations department this summer, and plans to enhance her business development skills and learning more about the company’s subsidiaries.
Sae Doxey
Sae is from Winnebago and an enrolled tribal member. Her Hocak name is Ha Me Ha Mani Winga (Walks against the Wind), and she is a member of the bear clan. She’s a junior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, studying graphic design with a minor in software development. She is interning with our Community Development department and the Ho-Chunk Community Development Corporation. Sae is looking forward to contributing to her community and supporting the company’s mission during her time this summer.
Natasha Deal
Natasha is from Winnebago, an enrolled tribal member and a part of thunder clan. She is a senior at Peru State College, majoring in early childhood education and is interning with our Learning and Development department this summer. Natasha is excited to begin working with a team that aligns closely with her major. She looks forward to contributing her skills while continuing to grow professionally in a field she is passionate about.
Ramon Loera
Ramon is from Winnebago and an enrolled tribal member. He will be attending Little Priest Tribal College in the fall of 2025, majoring in Diversified Agriculture. Ramon is placed with Ho-Chunk Farms and looks forward to gaining a deeper understanding of large-scale agriculture through his internship.
Jordan Ghostdog
Jordan is from Winnebago and an enrolled tribal member. He’s in his second year at Haskell Indian Nations University, majoring in Media Communications. He later plans to attend Fort Lewis College for a bachelor’s degree in marketing. This summer, he is interning with our Corporate Communications team. Jordan hopes to gain stronger public speaking skills, more confidence in a professional setting, better communication, develop marketing abilities, and valuable connections with others in the industry.
Claire Jones
Claire is from Herndon, VA., and is entering her senior year at James Madison University, where she is double majoring in mathematics and statistics with a concentration in data science. She is placed at All Native Group in Fairfax, VA., this summer. Claire is excited to apply her academic background in a professional setting and gain hands-on experience in government contracting. She also looks forward to further developing her skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
Randall Nunez
Randall is from Norfolk, NE., and an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. He is a senior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, majoring in business management with a minor in Native American studies. This summer, he is interning with WarHorse Gaming. Randall looks forward to developing stronger interpersonal and professional skills while gaining insight into the unique business model that Ho-Chunk, Inc. has created and propelled to success.
Lauren Munderloh
Lauren is from Pender, NE. and a senior at the University of Kansas, majoring in business administration. She is interning with our Retail Operations team this summer. Lauren is excited to learn more about the strategic planning involved in SweetWater Café’s and Pony Express stores.
Sheridan Barnett
Sheridan is from Norman, OK., and an enrolled member of the Muskogee Creek/Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma. She is a psychology major at the University of Oklahoma. This summer, she is interning with WarHorse Gaming and she hopes to learn about the inner workings of a casino and gain insights into effective casino management.
Kendra Niehaus
Kendra is from Cartersville, GA., and a junior at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, majoring in marketing. She is interning with Blue Earth Marketing this summer and she is excited to gain more research experience and work closely with a collaborative team.
Garret Morgan
Garret is from South Sioux City, NE., and a descendant of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the thunder clan. He holds an associates degree from Northeast Community College and will be a sophomore at Dartmouth College this fall, planning to study economics and Native American Indigenous Studies, focusing on tribal development. This summer, Garret is interning with Ho-Chunk Capital. He looks forward to gaining more work experience in the financial sector, strengthening his decision-making and teamwork skills while learning how strategic planning can support tribal sovereignty.
Payton Rossum
Payton is from Brainerd, MN., and is a junior at Bemidji State University, majoring in marketing communications. This summer, she is interning with Dynamic Homes. Payton looks forward to gaining real-world experience that will prepare her for a successful future career in the communications field.
Elijah Bullie
Elijah is from Bellevue, NE., and a descendant of the Winnebago and Omaha Tribes of Nebraska. He is currently pursuing his Juris Doctor degree with a specialty in trial advocacy from UCLA School of Law. This summer, he is placed with our Legal team. He hopes to gain a thorough understanding of the Winnebago Tribe’s status as a sovereign government and how Ho-Chunk, Inc. can leverage that status to enable company growth.
Brock Okeson
Brock is from Detroit Lakes, MN., and will be a junior this fall at the University of North Dakota. He is majoring in finance with a minor in accounting and is on track to graduate in the spring. This summer, he is interning with Dynamic Homes. From this program, he is excited to gain hands-on experience in a real business environment and apply what he’s learned in the classroom to a professional setting.
