Howard D. Valandra, Vice President of Grants and Programs

Howard Valandra, Sicangu Lakota, has been Vice President of Grants and Programs for the Indian Land Tenure Foundation since its inception in 2002.  Prior to joining ILTF, Valandra was a Community Liaison at Northwest Area Foundation where he lead several staff teams as they explored and established long-term partnerships with communities whose missions ranged from reducing poverty in geographically-defined areas to ensuring Indian ownership and control of reservation lands. Before that, Valandra was Executive Director of Tribal Land Enterprise where he oversaw the acquisition and management of tribal lands for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

In addition to his work in philanthropy and for tribes, Valandra has participated in several successful entrepreneurial ventures, such as founding a computer consulting firm, FIRST Computer Concepts, and helping to start two companies specializing in propane sales.  Valandra graduated from St. Francis Mission School and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota School of Business.