WSCAT STAFF
Administrative Staff
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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.
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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.
Asset Building Staff
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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.
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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.
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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
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Starla Green joined WSCAT in September 2019 as its Food Cart Manager/Trainer. In this role, Starla trained Warm Springs tribal and community members in how to manage and operate food carts and food services businesses. As a Warm Springs tribal member, Starla was born and raised in the strict cultural ways of her family, as a Traditional Indian Woman, provider to her family and people, and to carry on the traditional ways of her Indian family. She is a rancher, traditional longhouse cook, food gatherer, hide tanner, fisher, and hunter. Starla operates a small business, Peaceful Spirit Creations, that she and her mother started several years ago. She is or has been involved in cultural tourism, catering, food vending, and creating and selling crafts (including leather work, buckskin, purses, traditional clothing, pow-wow outfits, and kupins), and is a self-taught seamstress. Starla graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Blue Mountain Community College and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Oregon University. She had a career in law enforcement/public service for over 25 years, where she was a police officer, detective, and administrator with different law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Oregon and in Warm Springs.
In 2020, Starla stepped into the role of Commissary General Manager and took more of a lead in developing a small business incubator and food truck pod. Although she stepped away in 2024 and was employed at Kah-nee-ta Hot Springs Resort as the Food & Beverage/Kitchen Manager and Cultural Ambassador, she has been contracting with WSCAT and will be re-hired as the Capital Projects Manager in September 2025. With the commissary project underway, Starla will oversee construction and development of the small business incubator and food truck pod.
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Chloe is beginning a new chapter as WSCAT’s small business coach, bringing a well-rounded background in both administrative and healthcare roles. She got her start as an Administrative Assistant with the Warm Springs Community Action Team while home from college. In that role, she built strong organizational and people-focused skills. In recent years, she has worked as a Medical Assistant with Indian Health Services and Jefferson County Public Health, gaining hands-on experience in fast-paced environments and developing a strong ability to support and connect with the community. She is excited to shift into the business world and is passionate about helping small business owners stay organized, grow with confidence, and reach their goals.
Education & Workforce Staff
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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.
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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.
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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.
Central Oregon Two Spirit Coalition
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LeeAnn O’Neill (she/they) is the Director for the Central Oregon Two Spirit Coalition. This coalition includes WSCAT, MMIR Warm Springs, Papalaximisha, Gender Hive, and Allyship in Action and supports education and advocacy in support of Two Spirit and Native LGBTQ+ youth and community members in Warm Springs and the Central Oregon region. With a brain that has too many checklists and a deep love for spreadsheets, she has a background in law, language access, social services, nonprofit governance, and business. As a queer Korean transracial adoptee growing up and living in rural spaces, she is deeply committed to creating community, connection, and thriving. You can find her most days riding bikes around town, playing capoeira, weaving baskets, and poking wildflowers.