Oweesta Is First Native CDFI to Receive National Adina Abramowitz Impact Award for Organizational Growth and Change

(October 23, 2026) The Adina Abramowitz Impact Award for Organizational Growth and Change recognizes Oweesta’s leadership in implementing organizational change that strengthens the Native CDFI industry, making the field more effective and better equipped to serve Native communities across Indian Country.

Opportunity Finance Network, the national network of CDFIs, presented the national award on October 22 during its 42nd Annual Conference in New Orleans. The award recognizes a CDFI that exemplifies the excellence, innovation, and commitment championed by its namesake throughout her more than three decades in community finance. After serving on staff at OFN, Abramowitz founded Consulting for Change and later served as managing partner of CDFI Friendly America, helping mission-driven lenders nationwide strengthen their operations and deepen their impact. She passed away in December 2023.

“Adina was an incredible mentor, thinker, and guide. She taught a generation of CDFI leaders that reinvention is essential to growth and that strengthening our organizations is just as important as strengthening our markets,” said Chrystel Cornelius, President and CEO of Oweesta. “She brought that wisdom to Native CDFIs and always challenged us to do our best work on behalf of our communities.”

Read the full announcement here.