Welcome Maria Valandra to the Office of Indian Country Economic Development

The Department of Commerce welcomes Maria Valandra to the Office of Indian Country Economic Development as Entrepreneur Development Program Manager.

Maria will manage the Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grant, Native American Collateral Support (NACS) Program, and the Native American Business Advisor (NABA) Grant programs.

Maria has 24 years’ experience in the banking industry and community development. Most recently, she was at the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Addictive and Mental Disorders Division, as a coach and grant manager for Communities That Care, an evidence-based prevention science process that fosters the success of young people through every stage of development.

Prior to this, she worked with Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to help them execute their goals. Maria also worked at a regional bank headquartered in Billings. She held positions as a senior vice president and chief synergy officer, senior vice president of talent management and organization development, and vice president of community development.

Her past board service is extensive and includes co-founding the People’s Partner’s for Community Development, the Montana Indian Business Alliance, and the Montana Financial Education Coalition.

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Montana State University in Bozeman. She is a member of the Nekaneet Band of the Cree First Nation of Saskatchewan. Originally from Great Falls, Maria now resides in Helena and has three grown sons and two grandchildren.

Contact Maria at maria.valandra@mt.gov or 406.841.2061.