WSCAT STAFF

Administrative Staff

  • Leah Guliasi came to WSCAT in 2015 as an AmeriCorps VISTA and continued to work with WSCAT when her volunteer year was complete. She has served in many roles with WSCAT including IDA Program Manager, Artisans’ Co-op Project Manager, and Grants, Compliance, and Evaluation Manager. In April 2025, Leah stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director. Leah’s focus is to build the capacity of WSCAT and its staff by working with program managers to grow their skills, while writing, tracking, and reporting on grants. Leah is a certified project management professional (PMP), HUD certified homeownership counselor, and has completed Grow with Google Certifications in both Digital Marketing and Data Analytics. Leah is also the owner of Aspire Grants Solutions, a consulting business that supports non-profits in becoming more secure through compliance and training (aspiregrantssolutions.com)  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 2014 and a Master’s Degree in Community Development and Planning in 2015, both at Clark University in Worcester, MA. Leah’s other interests include scuba diving, yoga, photography, travel, and being outdoors.

  • Saphronia Coochise began working at WSCAT in May 2021 as the Financial and Human Resource Manager. Saphronia is a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs tribal member, also of Wasco, Hoopa, Hopi and Yakama descent. She oversees the day-to-day operations of WSCAT, including administrative/office operations, financial management, payroll and human resource functions. Among many tasks, she maintains the system of accounts, manages accounts payable and receivable, supports auditing activities, assists with recruiting and hiring of new staff, and manages a 403b retirement plan, health insurance, and other insurance plans. Saphronia has worked in Warm Springs for 35 years, in various capacities within the tribal organization, including the Spilyay Tymoo, Tribal Finance, ECE Head Start Program, Warm Springs Housing Authority, and Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprises. Saphronia owns her own home in Warm Springs, has two adult children as well as nephews she has raised. She enjoys numerous outdoor activities, going to the gym, as well as working on beadwork and sewing projects.

  • Rhonda Ike began working at WSCAT in February 2025 as the Administrative and Financial Specialist. She is a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and lived in Fresno, CA from 2015 until moving back to Warm Springs in 2025. While in California, Rhonda gained experience in the agriculture sector and has served in a variety of financial roles. In 2019, she enrolled in an accounting degree at Fresno City College, but was unable to complete the program due to the pandemic. When the job in Warm Springs became available, Rhonda felt that her work history and experience made her a great fit for the WSCAT team because of her accounting background, willingness to learn new things, and being detail-oriented.

Asset Building Staff

  • Nettie Dickson, WSCAT’s IDA Program Administrator and AARP Tax Aide Program Manager, is a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) tribal member.  Nettie has provided training to hundreds of CTWS community members in financial skills, credit repair, asset building, and entrepreneurship since 2010. She recruits participants into WSCAT’s courses, trainings, and programs, and assists IDA clients in staying on track to meet their savings goals.  Nettie is an accredited trainer in First Nations Development Institute’s Building Native Communities financial education curriculum and ONABEN’s Indianpreneurship curriculum, and is a certified AARP tax preparer. Between 1984 and 2010, Nettie worked in various capacities with the Warm Springs Early Childhood Daycare Center, Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Tribal Court, and Warm Springs Forest Products.

  • Gordon Scott works as the Asset Building Program Manager and started with WSCAT in January 2024.  His team works to guide and empower clients in the IDA and HUD counseling programs.  Gordon was recently appointed to the Regional Solutions Advisory Committee for Oregon, which will help guide small business initiatives for the Central Oregon region. Some of the extra duties he does with WSCAT include completing AARP taxes and attending community event planning meetings on behalf of the organization. He has worked for the Confederated tribes of Warm Springs, college and universities in Oregon, and is pursuing entrepreneurial goals.  Gordon has a family that includes his wife, Lorien, and 4 kids that enjoy traveling, sports, cultural activities, and shopping. 

  • Mallory Smith joined WSCAT in March 2021 as the Small Business Development Specialist and has since moved into the role of Financial Counselor. This is Mallory’s second stint with WSCAT, having served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Community Development Specialist from 2018-2019.  Mallory’s role is to provide HUD-approved housing and financial counseling and classes to community members. Mallory grew up on the Warm Springs Reservation, attended Portland Community College (PCC), and worked as an educator in Portland for three years. She loves to be outdoors – either hiking, camping, or simply basking herself in mother nature’s beauty. Mallory has a passion for youth causes in the community, and hopes to develop after-school programs and to be an advocate for Native American youth in the coming years.

Small Business Program Staff

  • Scott Kalama began working with WSCAT in February 2025 as the Small Business Program Specialist. He is responsible for providing business planning assistance, instruction, and coaching to Warm Springs community members interested in starting or expanding businesses. He also serves as a Facilitator for CO.STARTERS, is a Financial Skills for Families instructor, and occasional IDA provider. Scott is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and has worked locally for the Warm Springs Prevention team for the past 15 years. One of his passions is creating music. In 2015, he won Best Music video at Native American Music Awards. He has been operating Blue Flamez Music successfully for the past 8 years offering merchandise, CDs, presentations, and music performances. Scott looks forward to using his knowledge and experience to build business relationships with local communities.

  • Dustin Seyler joined our team in May 2017.  He serves as small business program manager, responsible for providing business planning assistance, instruction, and coaching to Warm Springs community members interested in starting or expanding their businesses. He also serves as an Indianpreneurship instructor, and has planned and executed various large community events, including the 2019 First Annual Warm Springs Small Business Conference.  In addition, Dustin works to support the Warm Springs Outdoor Market, the Commissary Small Business Incubator project,  local projects supporting agricultural entrepreneurship, and expanding educational and work opportunities for youth. Dustin is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, a United States Navy veteran, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Warm Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (WSACC).  He holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in leadership, organization, and management from Eastern Oregon University.  His professional experience includes over ten years of retail experience in various industries, internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Small Business Administration, and experience managing an oil company with 100 employees.

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Education & Workforce Staff

  • Reina Estimo is the Education and Workforce Program Manager. She started at WSCAT as the Youth Program Coordinator in 2024. Reina creates programming for WSCAT education programs and manages the workforce program, which serves 50+ community members a year with paid work experience internships, a majority of those programs serving youth ages 14-24. Reina’s philosophy on workforce experience and education is to support the whole person, not just the employee, so cultural, life skills, and health training are integrated into the workforce education. Reina is currently admitted to the Warm Springs Tribal Bar and has served 3 separate terms on the Education Committee for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. She is also the co-founder of a local group that provides resources around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (People). Reina enjoys watching live sports and music. She is a Portland Trailblazer, Oregon State Beavers, WNBA, March Madness, and country music fan. She likes doing beadwork and other crafts. She has two sons named Dominic and Freddie. Her family and dogs bring her joy, but most of all, gets joy from watching other people experience joy themselves.

  • Thomas Medina is a proud member of the Warm Springs Tribes Wasco descendant. Throughout his adult life, he has committed himself to serving the Confederated Tribes, primarily working as a wildland firefighter with Warm Springs FIre Management. As the Workforce Business Administrator, he works alongside both adults and youth to foster opportunities in small business and workforce development. His goals are to assist the community in establishing multiple small businesses in Information Technology and manufacturing to strengthen the economy, provide education, and support the community.

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  • Emily Jim, WSCAT’s Workforce Program Administrator, is a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs tribal member who began working at WSCAT in June 2018. When she first began working with WSCAT, her primary role was to assist Tananawit, a new nonprofit arts organization. She has grown into many other roles throughout her time at WSCAT including managing Painted Pony Espresso and, most recently, serving a strong role in supporting a youth workforce program. Emily has worked for the CTWS for 14 years, including stints at the Early Childhood Education Center, Kah-Nee-Tah Resort and Spa, Indian Head Casino, Children’s Protective Services, and the Museum at Warm Springs. Emily dedicates time and energy to her community by coaching Special Olympics softball, donating her artwork to families fundraising for youth activities in the community, and helping out at bi-annual Museum at Warm Springs special events.

  • Brutis Baez is a dynamic figure whose passions intertwine music, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship, making him a unique presence in the creative landscape. With a deep love for storytelling, Brutis uses his diverse talents to inspire and connect with audiences across multiple mediums. Born and raised on the Warm Springs reservation and deeply rooted in the community. In addition to his musical pursuits, Brutis ventured into filmmaking, recognizing the visual medium's potential to enhance storytelling. He started creating short films and music videos that capture the essence of his songs, often exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the human experience.  Brutis Baez continues to work with Native youth in filmmaking along his business partner and friend LaRonn Katchia and enjoys working with many folks in the warm springs community.