Introducing Re-Member's Inaugural CEO

In January of this year, Re-Member Board Chair Dan Peters shared details about the process the Board and senior staff were engaging in to evolve our leadership structure. In May, we announced the hiring of David Strobbe as Program Director. Since his arrival on the reservation, David has been actively training in his role through the volunteer season; engaging directly with the community and volunteers, and working with our on-site staff to ensure our programs continue to thrive. You can look forward to hearing directly from David as he steps fully into his role in January 2027.

Throughout this transition process, Re-Member’s Executive Director Will Paese’s calm, capable leadership and his heart for the Oglala Lakota people have steadily maintained and nurtured Re-Member’s work and relationships on Pine Ridge; as well as with our donors and volunteers from across this nation and the world. Will has played an active role in David’s hiring, onboarding, and training. It is with heartfelt gratitude that we honor Will’s seven years of dedicated service to Re-Member and his three year tenure as Executive Director. In no small measure, we arrive at this pivotal moment because of his hard work! He will continue to report to the Board of Directors and manage all on-reservation personnel through the end of the year. We know that your gratitude and best wishes for Will weave together with ours as we send him on to the new adventures life has in store for him, trusting in his permanent place in the history and future of Re-Member.

It is with hope and excitement that we now announce that the Re-Member inaugural Chief Executive Officer is Cory True. After a months-long, comprehensive interview process utilizing the services of an independent third party human resources firm, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to make an offer to Cory. He has served Re-Member in every capacity, from volunteer to Board Member to Executive Director to his current role as Senior Advisor. As we establish this new and different role of CEO we cannot imagine a more qualified and knowledgeable candidate to lead Re-Member forward. While David becomes the face of Re-Member in the community, Cory will focus on the big picture leadership and management that has been so challenging for our leaders on the ground. Cory’s tenure as CEO will begin October 31.

Re-Member has naturally evolved and grown substantially over the past 28 years. The Board of Directors is committed to resourcing both our on the ground staff and the dedicated group of employees who work remotely to support it. As the newly-elected Board Chair, I am personally grateful to Dan Peters for his leadership through this evolutionary season for Re-Member. I was honored to rejoin the board in 2024 and step into the Vice Chair position as we worked toward this new day for the organization we all love. As I begin my tenure as Chair, I want to express my deep appreciation first and foremost to the Oglala Lakota people for their wisdom and generosity. To walk alongside the people who continually teach us to live our interconnectedness each and every day is a great blessing. To every community member, volunteer, trip leader, donor, and community partner living it with me: thank you. We are better together!

In hope,

Lori Anne Wyckoff
Chair of the Board