Leadership Team

Erika Reynolds, Executive Director of Rezilience Community Support Services, is a strategic leader and cross-sector executive recognized for advancing equity, strengthening community systems, and driving culturally grounded approaches to engagement with underserved populations. With a career spanning nonprofit, legal, and healthcare environments, she has led initiatives that bridge institutional systems and historically marginalized communities, translating complex challenges into sustainable, community-centered solutions.

A trusted collaborator and thought partner, Erika has worked with diverse organizations and public agencies to design and implement frameworks that elevate culturally responsive practices, deepen stakeholder trust, and expand access to critical resources. Her leadership is defined by an ability to align mission-driven strategy with measurable impact, while centering the voices and lived experiences of the communities she serves.

Erika began her career with the Legal Aid Society of Northwest North Carolina, where she developed and led community-based legal education initiatives that empowered individuals to understand and assert their rights. This early work shaped her systems-level perspective and continues to inform her approach to institutional transformation across sectors.

Originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Patrick County, Virginia, Erika is of Cherokee, Saura, and Arawak descent. Her leadership is deeply informed by her cultural heritage and commitment to intergenerational impact, particularly through mentorship and advocacy for Native youth.

She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. Erika’s work is grounded in the belief that sustainable change is driven by continuous learning, inclusive leadership, and the intentional integration of cultural knowledge into
modern systems.

Ruth BlackHawk Cameron is a dedicated professional, currently serving as the Director of Programs for Rezilience Community Support Services. With a career centered on empowering Indigenous communities, she plays a vital role in developing programs that support Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students and professionals in the financial literacy field.

Ruth’s long career in education began at Northern Illinois University in the 1980s and continued for 20+ years at the University of Colorado (CU) in Boulder, Colorado. She worked as the Indian Education Director and teacher at an at-Risk High School for 14+ years. Recently, Ruth held the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Advancing Indigenous Science and Engineering Society, where she developed culturally relevant curriculum and professional development for Native teachers.

Ruth holds a bachelor’s degree in applied Anthropology with an emphasis in American Indian Education and a master’s degree in education. Her graduate studies focused on bilingual education (English to Lakota) and included best practices in education for Native students.

Before her current role, she was involved in several community-focused leadership initiatives, often collaborating with other Indigenous leaders to address systemic barriers in education. She is recognized for her commitment to intergenerational healing and advocating for policies that support the well-being of Native children and families.

Ruth is a member of the Ho-Chunk and Lakota Nations. She lives in the Colorado mountains with her family. She enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and spending time with her two grandchildren.