Melissa Buffalo, MS (Meskwaki)
Chief Executive Officer

Han mitakuyepi! Melissa is an enrolled member of the Meskwaki Nation in Iowa and Dakota from the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Sioux Tribes. She grew up in South Dakota and comes from a large extended family. Melissa received an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and earned an MS in Human Development from South Dakota State University. As the Deputy Director, Melissa is committed to working with and for our tribal communities, both urban and rural as we support our loved ones with opportunities to heal, emotionally, historically, spiritually, and physically from the burdens of cancer. She does this work because of the lasting impacts of cancer on her immediate and extended family. We know many cancers are preventable, and our people deserve access to those preventative resources that keep them healthy for themselves, their families, and communities.