Dr. Per Cap's Financial Literacy 2015 All-Star Picks

April is national Financial Literacy Month, so let's celebrate by recognizing a few outstanding individuals who are working hard to expand financial education efforts throughout Indian Country. In keeping with what has become an annual tradition each week in April, I will highlight the accomplishments of one totally awesome person who embodies the spirit of Native financial empowerment through selfless dedication, action over words, and an inclusive community vision.

All Star #2: Dante Desiderio, Executive Director, Native American Finance Officers Association

Quick wits, balance and discipline are just a few qualities that make a great wrestler. I'm talking real wrestling folks -- like in the Olympics -- not costumed buffoons swinging chairs and taking dives. And let's keep it real because the skills mentioned above are some of the same traits necessary for a successful career in finance. As a man who has kicked major proverbial tail in both callings, Dante Desiderio (Sappony) has more than earned his spot on this year's Financial Literacy All-Star squad.

Dante's a heavy hitter on the national scene, and as leader of the Washington, D.C.-based Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) that is dedicated to trailblazing a new frontier for Indian Country into the world of economic development, he views financial literacy through a larger lens than most.

"A lot of people think financial literacy is managing a loan or balancing a checking account," the former college wrestler explains. "At NAFOA we view it as the ability to value assets and understand markets. This empowers tribes, individuals, and communities and inspires ongoing pursuit of financial knowledge."

Whoa ... that's deep. So how does it all work? NAFOA rocks a three-tiered strategy for growing its next generation of tribal leaders. It starts with a mini MBA boot camp for high school students. More than 100 Native youth interested in business careers have completed the summer program that throws out textbooks in exchange for real world learning. Next up is NAFOA's Native American Career Success Program that provides internships at the corporate, government and tribal levels. The third tier is the Tribal Financial Manager Certification Program, a professional development initiative created in partnership with Arizona State University that boasts more than 150 graduates. Dante calls it a lifelong learning process and a "great way to empower a broad cross-section of Indian Country." I call it a first-class line-up of team accomplishments for someone who is no stranger to All-Star status.

And that brings us back to wrestling. Before joining NAFOA, Dante fine-tuned his resume with highlights such as tribal policy wonk at NCAI, Certified Financial Planner, bank trust officer, and commodities trader (think options not cheese!). But before that, Dante enjoyed noteworthy athletic success. As a high school wrestler in Pennsylvania he chalked up over 100 wins while going undefeated in dual meet competitions during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, as well as two third-place finishes in the Pennsylvania state wrestling tournament. This led to a full-ride scholarship to the University of Maryland and competing in a top 20 D1 wrestling program, where he dominated at the next level by winning two trips to the NCAA tournament in the 142-pound division. Translation: He was one bad dude.

"A wrestling match is a battle of wills," the proud Terp alum points out. "There's no tougher sport and because it's mostly an individual struggle, other tasks and challenges are easier after having wrestled. The sport also teaches a lot of life lessons that carry beyond school and into a career, like putting forth maximum effort and commitment."

Lessons learned on the wrestling mat have certainly paid off for a talented yet humble man, who was the first in his family to graduate college. And today Dante imparts this knowledge as fatherly wisdom to his two daughters, ages nine and eleven, both of whom are also active in sports. Moreover, he finds time to give back to the community by assisting the Sappony Tribe with the creation of a new construction company and other economic development projects. Now that's what I call putting a shine on Indian Country's new frontier like turtle wax on chrome.

Thank you, Dante, for all that you do!