Milwaukee — January 20, 2026 — Potawatomi Ventures is pleased to announce Shelby Daniels as the newly appointed Vice Chair of its Board of Directors. The company also welcomes two new board members: Ethel Branch, Civil Deputy County Attorney for Coconino County and former Attorney General of the Navajo Nation, and Brittany Lambright, an enrolled Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC) tribal member and Colorado‑based education leader.
As Vice Chair, Shelby Daniels, an enrolled FCPC tribal member, will support Board leadership in shaping long‑term strategy, governance and enterprise‑wide alignment across Potawatomi Ventures’ diverse and growing portfolio. She serves as the Behavioral Health Manager at the FCP Health & Wellness Center. Shelby has an associate degree in substance abuse counseling from Nicolet College. She is finalizing an associate degree in human services from Nicolet College as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Superior.
Ethel Branch brings a distinguished legal and public‑service background to the board. A member of the Navajo Nation, Branch has served two terms as Attorney General of the Navajo Nation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history, a juris doctorate, and a master’s in public policy from Harvard.
Brittany Lambright joins the Board with deep experience in educational leadership, counseling and career development. She currently serves as a Secondary School Counselor in the Delta County School District in Colorado. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and dual bachelor’s degrees in human development and social change and development.
“I’m proud to welcome Shelby, Ethel, and Brittany to our Board,” said Crystal Deschinny, Chairwoman of the Potawatomi Ventures Board of Directors. “Their leadership, cultural insight and dedication to uplifting Native communities will make us stronger. Together, we’ll continue building opportunities that reflect who we are and who we aspire to be.”
“These Board appointments reflect the strength and direction of Potawatomi Ventures,” said Kip Ritchie, CEO of Potawatomi Ventures. “Shelby, Ethel and Brittany each bring deep experience, cultural grounding and a commitment to building opportunity for our people. Their leadership will help guide our next chapter of growth while staying true to the values of the Forest County Potawatomi Community and Potawatomi Ventures.”
Potawatomi Ventures was established in 2002 as Potawatomi Business Development Corporation and is the economic development and income diversification business of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy supporting Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and future generations of the Tribe. Potawatomi Ventures is headquartered in Milwaukee and is one of southeastern Wisconsin’s top minority-owned businesses.
For more information about Potawatomi Ventures, visit potawatomiventures.com.
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About Potawatomi Ventures: Potawatomi Ventures is owned and operated by the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin. The Company seeks to generate wealth and improve the quality of life for the Tribe by making strategic investments, acquisitions and prudent asset management decisions. Resources generated by Potawatomi Ventures and its holdings help diversify the tribal economy supporting Forest County Potawatomi’s tribal government and helps improve the lives of tribal members. Potawatomi Ventures’ subsidiary companies include Greenfire Management Services, Data Holdings, Sagewind Development, Wgema Leasing, fireside MARKET, the Indian Country Innovation Center and several Federal contracting operations. For more information, visit Potawatomiventures.com.
Media Contact: Wendy Artman, Artman Communications
(920) 819-8968, wsartman@gmail.com
