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Teams Bios
Michael W. Neusser holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a Master’s degree in Tribal Administration and Governance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He grew up in Wisconsin and is an enrolled member of the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. From 1993-2000 he was employed through his tribe as a general manager for satellite casinos. His career then transitioned into various domestic and international sales and marketing roles in the private sector. He also worked simultaneously as a consultant for a number of businesses and tribal nations.
After many years of working in the corporate setting and as an independent consultant, Mr. Neusser wanted to get back into solely tribal relations work in the public sector. He moved to Minnesota in 2011 and secured a position with the White Earth Nation as their Economic Development and Marketing Manager. He continued working for the White Earth Nation for seven years in various roles, most recently as the Economic Development Director.
In 2019 Mr. Neusser’s career took another fortunate turn and allowed him to enter the world of philanthropy and placed him in the role as Vice President for Operations with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, and his primary responsibilities were to ensure organizational operations were aligned with the mission and vision of the foundation. Additionally, he played a key role in facilitating collaborative efforts among staff and with external partners, including tribal relations. After a time, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Programs at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.
In 2025 Mr. Neusser decided to return to his Economic Development Director role with the White Earth Nation. He continues to assist in the stability and flourishment of the tribal communities and people. He currently resides within the White Earth reservation with his wife, their children, and extended family.
Email: Michael.Neusser@whiteearth-nsn.gov
Pamela Keezer is an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – White Earth Band, and a lifelong resident of the Reservation tribal community of Naytahwaush. She has worked for White Earth in the field of grant writing for 28 years. Positions held include Administrative Assistant, Grant Coordinator and Planner for White Earth Planning Department during early years of employment and then 22 years as a Grant Writer for the White Earth Economic Development Department.
Pamela is proficient in identifying and prioritizing potential grants that align with White Earth’s mission. She is skilled in working with program staff to ensure compelling proposals are written to justify the need for funding and is able to develop complex multiyear budgets with supporting budget narratives. Her work requires adherence to strict grant application guidelines and strong time management skills to meet multiple deadlines in daily work. Throughout her employment she continues to maintain cooperative working relationships with internal staff, along with federal, state and private funding agencies.
Email: Pam.Keezer@whiteearth-nsn.gov
Jacob Syverson earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes in 2011. As a member of the White Earth Band and growing up on the reservation, he developed a deep, firsthand understanding of tribal land, governance, and community priorities. Over the past decade, he has built extensive experience working directly for his tribe, focusing on land management, acquisition, and strategic development.
Combining his academic background with lived experience and professional expertise, he is recognized as a knowledgeable voice in tribal land matters, with a practical, solutions-driven approach rooted in community values. His work has contributed to strengthening tribal sovereignty and advancing long-term economic stability through thoughtful real estate initiatives.
Jacob began his career with White Earth in early 2017. Prior to working for the Band Jacob worked as a Manager in Food Service out of college and as a Sales Partner for Verizon. Jacob Currently resides in Bemidji, MN with his wife and children. He enjoys playing in his summer softball leagues, fishing, and is an avid golfer.
Email: Jacob.Syverson@whiteearth-nsn.gov
Sherry Vanata – White Earth enrollee, lived in the White Earth village and attended Circle of Life School till the third grade, then moved to Detroit Lakes where she graduated High School. Then returned in 1992 to live and build a home here on the White Earth Reservation where her five children were raised with her husband. Sherry attended Minnesota State University – Moorhead and received a degree in Finance in 2007.
Her fiscal management experience started with two Native local non-profits. She worked in this local non-profit sector for three years providing fiscal oversight and compliance with all required fiscal reporting requirements and auditing compliance regulations. Then was hired at the White Earth Tribal Finance Department as a Finance Coordinator ensuring fiscal requirements were compiled for assigned funds. Then she transferred to White Earth Mental Health Business Manager to manage the business aspects of the funding streams for the program requirements. After several years with White Earth Nation, she started work at Becker County as the Fiscal Supervisor for all county departments and audit requirements. This included budget oversight and development in large for the county. This work included all financial statements and reporting for the State and Federal funding for the counties divisions and programs.
In 2026 Sherry was hired as Grant Writer for White Earth Economic Development Department. Where her desire to help her people of this great Nation grow and prosper will continue. Her favorite pastime is spending time with family laughing, eating and telling stories.
Email: Sherry.Vanata@whiteearth-nsn.gov
Thomas Brisbois-Haubrich is a descendant of the White Earth Nation and now live on my Grandparents' old property within the reservation, which they affectionately call "the Swamp." I moved out to the Swamp after having finished my three bachelor’s degrees at the University of Minnesota-Morris (History, Political Science, and Native American and Indigenous Studies) and having started my graduate course at the University of Minnesota-Duluth (Tribal Administration and Governance). With any luck, I will be graduating in May 2026, completing my educational journey for the foreseeable future.
After a health scare with my grandfather in 2024, I applied to White Earth for the position of Grant Writer, so that I could work for my family's Tribe, live out on the Swamp, and be closer to my Grandparents in their twilight years. It has now been over two years since I first started working for the Tribe, and I have made a home, friends, and even adopted a Rez dog who used to live in the parking lot of my Naytahwaush office, which I named "Fluff." It is my goal to work for White Earth for a long time, and I find that working as a Grant Writer puts me in a place to meet many different people working alongside me at the RBC, and in my position I'm given the privilege of learning what their goals are and helping them pursue it.
My work style is pretty personal, and I like to meet people face-to-face when I'm working with them, so don't be too surprised if one day I knock on your door. That being said, we should try to keep on task, however if you're willing to be distracted with me for a bit, I'm receptive to all conversations about Constitutionalism, Federal Indian Law, and the Mexican Revolution.
I couldn't be more excited to help you help the Tribe. Let's have fun working together.
Email: Tom.Haubrich@whiteearth-nsn.gov