- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
- Baking
- Cooking
- Exploring famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural attractions in a new destination
- Sharing travel tips, recommendations, and insights with fellow enthusiasts
- Documenting and sharing travel experiences
- Music
- Exploring various forms of art, such as museums, art galleries, and libraries, to nurture creativity and personal growth
RENELDA BEGAY
SANDERS
Summary
Professional leader with strong record of driving organizational success and fostering team collaboration. Adept at strategic planning, project management, and policy development. Known for flexibility in dynamic environments and results-driven mindset. Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills that ensure consistent achievement of goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Farm Loan Officer Trainee
United States Department Of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency
07.2024 - Current
- Assisted clients in selecting appropriate loan products for their needs, resulting in higher customer satisfaction.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of bank records and client information.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by promptly addressing client concerns and resolving issues as they arose during the lending process.
- Submitted loan applications to the USDA Farm Loan Manager for verification and recommendations.
- Examined customer loan applications for loan approvals and denials.
- Educated potential clients on various loan options, guiding them towards informed decisions that fit their financial goals.
- Originated, reviewed, processed, closed, and administered customer loan proposals.
- Meticulously reviewed applicant documentation, ensuring accuracy and completeness prior to submission for underwriting approval.
- Assisted customers in understanding loan terms and conditions to make informed decisions.
- Ensured compliance with all federal and state regulations throughout the loan origination process.
- Conducted thorough credit analysis to minimize risk exposure for the financial institution.
- Collaborated with other departments to promptly process loan applications.
- Maintained an extensive knowledge of current market trends and industry changes to provide accurate advice to clients.
- Maintained compliance with all regulatory requirements, preventing any legal or financial penalties for institution.
- Initiated outreach efforts to underserved communities, expanding USDA's customer base. Was able to provide lending opportunities to Native American Tribal members.
Principal Planner
Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Spearheaded public outreach efforts to engage stakeholders in the planning process, promoting transparency and collaboration.
- Negotiated development agreements to ensure desired outcomes for both public and private entities, balancing competing interests for project success.
- Coordinated interdepartmental efforts for streamlined project delivery, reducing redundancies and improving overall efficiency.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions for complex planning projects.
- Oversaw grant applications and funding opportunities to secure financial resources for critical planning initiatives.
- Reviewed development proposals against established criteria, safeguarding the integrity of planned communities and districts.
- Collected, arranged, and input information into database system.
- Optimized customer experience by delivering superior services and effectively troubleshooting issues.
- Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
- Evaluated customer needs and feedback to drive product and service improvements.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Evaluated staff performance and provided coaching to address inefficiencies.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Devised and implemented processes and procedures to streamline operations.
- Facilitated stakeholder meetings to gather input on key planning issues, fostering consensus-building among diverse groups.
- Provided expert guidance to elected officials on planning matters, fostering sound policy decisions that support community goals.
NATIVE AMERICAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
CKP INSURANCE A DIVISION OF BROWN AND BROWN INSURANCE
04.2017 - 06.2023
- WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF LARGE LAND BASE TRIBAL LEADERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY THEM TO PARTICIPATE THEIR TRIBAL GRAZING LANDS IN USDA DROUGHT PROGRAMS
- GAINED KNOWLEDGE IN DIFFERENT GRAZING PRACTICES USED BY OTHER TRIBAL NATIONS
- COMPLETED DETAILED ACREAGE REPORTS FOR TRIBAL NATIONS TO ENSURE THAT ONLY GRAZING LANDS WERE USED IN USDA DROUGHT PROGRAMS
- CONDUCTED UPDATE REPORTS AND POLICY PERFORMANCE TO TRIBAL LEADERSHIP ON A QUARTERLY BASIS
- THIS INCLUDES GOING BEFORE DIFFERENT COUNCIL LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATING TO THEM THEIR POLICY PERFORMANCE AND ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE
- MANAGED TWO OFFICE LOCATIONS IN ARIZONA AS WELL AS THE STAFF ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE OFFICES
- PERFORMED ANNUAL PERFORMANCES EVALUATIONS AND STAFF MEETINGS AND TRAININGS
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS SPECIALIST
Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture
11.2013 - 03.2017
- Administrative support to 143 Elected Farm Board Members, District Grazing Committee Members and District Land Board Members
- Also process all complaints that enter the office
- I deal with clients who have permits to graze livestock on Navajo trust land as well as permits to farms on Navajo
- These Complaints are brought in and I provide options and updates as their cases are addressed at Grazing/Farm Board meetings
- When cases are appealed, I get the appeal cases ready to refer to the Office of Hearings and Appeals to hear
- Our office provides trainings/conferences for our 143 elected officials, and permittees on the Navajo Nation
- Most of the time these trainings include all the 110 Navajo Nation chapters' elected officials in addition to the Grazing, Farm and Land Board Members, so these events end up reaching three to four hundred attendees
- I have successfully completed planning all aspects of 12 functions
- The complete function duties included: agenda development, speaker selection and confirmation, meal planning, rental space selection and outlay of the conference, as well as sponsorship and booth coordination for the entire event
- I was the main point of contact for all matters concerning billing and payments, as I processed Purchase Orders, and completed Requests for Direct payments to all vendors for all events
- Lead person for the Navajo Partitioned Lands Permit Re-Issuance Process, this task included the complete study of the Administrative control of livestock grazing on the Navajo Partitioned Lands (NPL) which began in 1940 in response to concerns raised by the Hopi Tribe, grazing permits issued under 25 CFR 71, Grazing, Navajo and Hopi Reservations, and 25 CFR 72 (later 152), Navajo Grazing Regulations, were cancelled by court order on October 14, 1973
- This cancellation was ordered so that permits covering not more than one half of the carrying capacity of the Joint Use area (JUA) could then be re-issued to the Navajo tribe or members thereof
- This project in itself included a multifaceted work plan which included members from entities like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Navajo Hopi Indian Relocation, the Resource and Development Committee of the Navajo Nation as well as completing reports and status updates to the Navajo Nation Council
- It should also be mentioned that there was at least four legislations that needed development and was started and completed during the process of this very important project
- To complete legislation on the Navajo Nation it includes a very strenuous legislative process which begins with the review process by the Executive Branch: Department of Justice review, Division of Natural Resource Review, and then finally the Office of the President and Vice President Review
- After the Executive Branch reviews the legislation it then goes to Legislative Services for their review
- I was responsible for knowing where each legislation was at in the process and I provided guidance and answered any all information regarding each legislation
- This included a number of meetings with legislative Advisors, Attorneys and Council Delegates, this usually met the detailed explanation of historical and current information
- I was the lead member for the Navajo Nation on developing a streamlined process with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Navajo Regional Office in Gallup, NM (BIA)
- This process is in the works, and the goal is to create a process that uniquely fits the Navajo Nation's permitting process
- The main concern to all parties is that the NRCS equip program and Farm Bill require an area of control to commence any kind of projects or improvements
- The Navajo Nation unfortunately is mostly open range, where livestock graze openly, and fencing is not a predominate range management tool, which means control is often lacking
- A big obstacle is trying to qualify these unique ways of management for NRCS funding
- Some of the other responsibilities include the Eastern District Land Board which is an elected body that oversees the grazing responsibilities on the Eastern part of the Navajo Nation
- A whole different set of CFRs and tribal code are used on this side of the Navajo Nation, which means a lot of different players come into play, for example the Bureau of Land Management, has a Tri-party agreement between the Land Board and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Along with other contributing elements on the eastern area we have to take into consideration the many land status' on Eastern, which includes: trust land, fee land, allotments, BLM land, and checkerboard areas
- An attempt to cancel 33 Agriculture Land Use permits is in the works for the Many Farms Major Irrigation Farm Board
- This project has been in the works for about 5 years and a plan was developed to switch the permitting process to the Farm Board, and a Master permit would be reissued to the Many Farm's Farm Board
- This is the first of any kind of attempt to consolidate a farm area into one permit
- Meetings with the Bureau of Indian Affairs have indicated a green light for this major project
- A major step towards reorganization is a Standard Operating Procedure Manual for the Grazing Management Program
- I have been working closely with the Nation Department of Justice on developing a manual that explains certain processes that are currently not explained in an actual document for reference
- The manual is in draft stage, and is getting ready for review, and then it will go on thru the SAS 164 review process for Tribal Council approval
- Completed the incorporation of a new data system, called Tribal D, for the entire Department of Agriculture
- Before the incorporation of this new system, the department used a hard copy filing system
- Record keeping meeting minutes for Navajo Nation Farm Boards, Grazing Officials, and Land Board Members
- Projects currently include: Navajo Nation Horse Round Up Initiative; being knowledgeable of both 25 CFR and Title 3 Navajo Nation Code, how they differ and how they are the same
- Navajo Rangeland Improvement Act of 2013-2014 (Proposed legislation); this document was developed to try and have the nation move forward with self-determination, using the AIARMA
- The nation has provided the Bureau with a copy, and the Bureau has provided their comments/concerns
- Plan of Operation review and edit's for elected officials
- Supplemental funding for elected officials
- This job prepared me to be flexible, understanding, patient, multi-oriented, organized, focused, it developed my problem solving skills, developed my public speaking skill, it also developed my analytical skills to analyze a situation and determine the best path for action
- It taught me to research, and study what had happen in the past and where certain events occurred
- When I was told something from a colleague I would take note and then verify
- I was often the go-to-person for processes which employees never had gone through before
- I gained the ability to become a people-person, where it took a 5 day turn around I was able to get a task done in a day or two
- I do not let small obstacles become a distraction, I'd find ways to work with people and I'd explain the urgency in a way that was understandable to another person
- If the job met that I had to get on a completely different level of personalities with someone, then that was what I did
- I became a team leader not because I volunteered but because I was often chosen by my peers
INTERNSHIP
Pima County District Attorney Office
01.2013 - 05.2013
- Reviewing cases and then completing case summaries, filing, phone calling, team-working
- This position was in an office setting every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for 4 and half hours
CASHIER
Navajo Travel Center
11.2011 - 01.2012
- Part time job that was on and off throughout the semester
- It mainly involved customer service with sales
- Basic cleaning and the occasional stocking of shipment
Education
Bachelor of Science - PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Tucson, Arizona05.2013
Liberal Arts Associates Degree -
PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Tucson, Arizona12.2010
High School Diploma -
SANDERS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Sanders, Arizona05.2007
College Credit -
RIO SALADO COLLEGE
01.2007
Skills
- Database management
- Relationship building and management
- Documentation review
- Sales expertise
- Client relations
- Customer service-focused
- Negotiation techniques
- Cash handling
- Team player
- Regulatory compliance
- Reliable
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Attention to detail
Interests
Timeline
Farm Loan Officer Trainee
United States Department Of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency
07.2024 - Current
Principal Planner
Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture
08.2023 - 05.2024
NATIVE AMERICAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
CKP INSURANCE A DIVISION OF BROWN AND BROWN INSURANCE
04.2017 - 06.2023
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS SPECIALIST
Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture
11.2013 - 03.2017
INTERNSHIP
Pima County District Attorney Office
01.2013 - 05.2013
CASHIER
Navajo Travel Center
11.2011 - 01.2012
Liberal Arts Associates Degree -
PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
High School Diploma -
SANDERS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
College Credit -
RIO SALADO COLLEGE
Bachelor of Science - PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND POLICY
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
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