Meet our board of directors
Kelly Tidwell | President
Kelly Tidwell | President
Kelly Tidwell | President
(Muscogee and Cherokee)
A noteworthy leader in the energy sector for more than a decade, Kelly Tidwell took the plunge into news entrepreneurship after witnessing his wife Brittany Harlow’s passion for community service through news and information.
Kelly co-founded the multimedia enterprise Talking Circle in 2018 and later Crosswinds News to support Indigenous and other underrepresented voices in Tulsa.
Sarah Yanez | Treasurer
Kelly Tidwell | President
Kelly Tidwell | President
(Kaw)
Sarah Yanez began her career in tribal government as Budget Director and later Finance Director, where she led multimillion-dollar budget planning, federal grant management, and internal control improvements that strengthened the Kaw Nation’s financial foundation.
Following over a decade in the corporate sector, Sarah returned to lead Kaw Nation Industries (KNI), first as Board Chair and now as CEO.
Susan Dean | Secretary
Kelly Tidwell | President
Susan Dean | Secretary
(Cherokee)
Susan has vast experience as a minority small business owner, including firsthand knowledge in acquiring, managing and fulfilling government contracts.
As the Minority Business Center Program Manager for REI Oklahoma, Susan focuses on creating opportunities for minority-owned companies to achieve new growth.
EditorIAL TEAM
Brittany Harlow | Managing Editor
Award-winning journalist
Brittany Harlow proudly identifies as Irish American. She is also of Scottish, French Acadian, Mi’kmaq and English descent.
Brittany received her associate degree in journalism and broadcasting from Tulsa Community College and her bachelor's degree in media studies from Northeastern State University.
Before launching Crosswinds News with Kelly, Brittany worked as a reporter for KRMG and weekend anchor and reporter for KXII.
2025 Indigenous Media Awards - Best News Story
First Place Associate Division I & II - Print and/or Online
The Morrison matriarch- Mvskoke mastermind or manipulated mother?
2023 RevContent Local Reporting Award
Rachael Schuit | Senior Journalist
Rachael Schuit is descended from the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.
She is a Senior Journalist at Catalyst News and has also worked as a Journalist with Crosswinds News and multimedia expert at Talking Circle.
Rachael graduated from Central Michigan University with both her undergraduate and graduate degree. She started her journalism career at WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan, as a producer and reporter followed by two years as a reporter at Upnorthlive in Traverse City.
Rachael is passionate about reporting and uplifting the voices of underrepresented communities, particularly Indigenous, and focusing on stories other organizations are not telling.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching reality tv, rooting for the Detroit Lions, traveling, and exploring new restaurants with friends and family.