MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOEL CHASTAIN
Vice President
Chickasaw
Joel Chastain currently serves as a Senior Advisor at the Chickasaw Nation. He began his professional journey with the Chickasaw Nation in 2012 and has since occupied various roles, focusing on finance and strategic development initiatives. In 2014, he briefly left his tribe to complete a year-long fellowship at the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. Joel holds a BS in Business Administration from Haskell Indian Nations University, an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation and is a descendant of the Laguna Pueblo and Navajo Nation. Joel and his wife, Joni have been an active foster care home through Indian Child Welfare Services for the past seven years (and now have three boys, Oshi, Nikko, and Ukiah). Joel is also involved in his tribal community's sports, playing for the Chickasaw Nation's stickball team, Chikasha Toll.
LORI HASSELMAN
Secretary
Shawnee & Delaware Tribes of Oklahoma
Lori Hasselman developed a passion for Native student success as a Student Resident Assistant during her second semester at Haskell. After graduating from Haskell in 2017 with a BA in Indigenous and American Indian Studies, Lori went on to earn an MSEd in Higher Education Administration from KU. While at Haskell, she also earned an AA in Media Communications, served as editor of the Haskell Indian Leader, was awarded Haskell Student of the Year, and was recognized by the State of Kansas House of Representatives for outstanding leadership at Haskell following her collaborative work that led to the passage of the Indigenous People's Day proclamation by the City of Lawrence.
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After graduate school, Lori returned to Haskell supporting students in the Haskell TRiO SSS Program. She is currently the Assistant Director, NASS Coordinator in the Native American Initiatives office at KU. Lori is a member of the Kansas Association for Native American Education, the National Indian Education Association, and the Native American Journalist Association. She loves students, fishing, riding bikes, family game night, her people, and Haskell Indian Nations University.
JOEL HERNANDEZ
Treasurer
Navajo & Sicangu Lakota
Joel Hernandez is an industry expert with more than 10 years of successful experience in non-profit and small business development. He graduated from Haskell in 2013 with a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. In addition, he has served in numerous leadership capacities at Haskell and in the American Indian community. He is a brother in Phi Sigma Nu, the oldest and largest American Indian fraternity in the United States, where he currently serves on the Chief Council as the Chief of Communications. Joel also previously served as Chief Vice President for the fraternity. He is Chair for the Committee on Native American Ministries for the United Methodist Church, which works to raise awareness about the many positive contributions of Native Americans to both the church at large and in the community. Joel also served two terms on the Haskell Board of Regents.
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Joel is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership in Higher Education at Baker University. He also obtained a Master degree in Business Administration from Baker University. He owns and operates The Rez Company, a brand featuring Native American art and design.
BRITTANY HALL
Board of Regents Representative
Shawnee
Brittany Hall is Bird Creek Shawnee and her name is Kakaawaciisi, horse clan, one who is running around. Brittany started her academic career at the University of Missouri in 2006 and transferred to Haskell and graduated with degree in Indigenous Studies in 2012 and then earned a master degree in Business Administration from Baker University in 2015. At Haskell, she participated in cheerleading and was Homecoming Queen in 2010. She worked at Little Nations Academic Center from 2009-16, Haskell Foundation from 2016-18. Brittany now works at KU in the Life Span Institute as a grant coordinator. She also was an adjunct instructor at Haskell.
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Brittany serves as the Secretary for the Shawnee Tribe Cultural and Historic Preservation Committee, Treasurer for Native Staff and Faculty at KU, advisor for Phi Iota Alpha at KU, KU Pow Wow Committee, volunteers in the winter shoveling show for Douglas County Senior Resource Center and recently elected president of the Haskell Board of Regents.
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She has one son and enjoys spending time with him, going to the gym, learning her language, beading and sewing, and being an animal and plant lady.