Board of Directors
Monte Boulanger - Chair
Monte Boulanger, descendant of Osage Chief Paw-Hiu-Skah, has 39 years’ experience in retail and 26 years of leadership experience with Walmart, Inc. in Bentonville, AR. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees for the Osage Nation Foundation since its inception in 2010, he has served as Chair of Tribal Voices, Walmart's American Indian and Alaska Native Resource Group. He is a student of data-driven consumer retail shopping habits with experience in syndicated data, product development, and national multi-unit management. He has been an active speaker on Indian Country issues in the retailing and supplier communities for over 18 years. He holds a BBA in Finance from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS, an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL, is a Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt in process improvement, and is Certified Retail Analyst. He has served on the Board of Directors of The Museum of Native American History in Bentonville, AR, since 2011.
Nancy Pillsbury Shirley - Secretary/Treasurer
Nancy Pillsbury Shirley brings more than 40 years experience in both the for-profit business world as well as philanthropy to the Osage Foundation. She is President of Pillsbury Marketing Company. Additionally, she serves as Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the Ed and H Pillsbury Foundation and President of the Winter Opera St. Louis. She is a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia, MO and lives in Ladue, MO.
Julie O'Keefe - Board Member
Julie O’Keefe grew up in the heart of Osage Nation in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Her passion for design has taken her all over the world. Julie spent several years in Northern Virginia raising her son, but she always kept her community in her heart. As her design collections garnered a following, she launched a pioneering, Native American and women-owned company that specialized in continuing the traditions of Native American regalia for community events and dances. She has earned respect within the Nations for her authentic design style - thanks to her deep understanding of cultural norms and requirements, across adverse landscape of Native American communities. Personally and professionally, Julie has focused on service and advocacy for her Native American community. Recent film work (2021-present) includes serving as the Lead Osage Wardrobe Consultant on the movie set of Killers of the Flower Moon, a major motion picture. Julie assisted with research, produced costume pieces, assisted in costume choices, and worked with and dressed principal actors. She has attended premieres and given interviews with a host of major media outlets. Julie has sat on several boards including Martha’s Table, Smithsonian NMAI, Osage Nation Foundation, and Post Traditional Indigenous Arts. She has served on the board of the Osage Nation Foundation for 9 years.
Welana Queton - Board Member
Welana Queton is from the Osage, Muscogee, and Cherokee Nations. Her Osage name is Me-tsa-xe, meaning Sacred Sun, and is a member of the Bear Clan and the Osage Zon-zo-lin District. Welana has over twenty years of experience working within museums and collections. She specializes working with American Indian ethnographic collections as it is her joy to work with cultural materials of her ancestors. She developed and co-curated the inaugural exhibition, WINIKO: Life of an Object, at the First Americans Museum featuring a loan from Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian. Welana recently created the Wahzhazhe Puppet Theatre and currently serves as the Artistic Director.Welana Queton is from the Osage, Muscogee, and Cherokee Nations. Her Osage name is Me-tsa-xe, meaning Sacred Sun, and is a member of the Bear Clan and the Osage Zon-zo-lin District. Welana has over twenty years of experience working within museums and collections. She specializes working with American Indian ethnographic collections as it is her joy to work with cultural materials of her ancestors. She developed and co-curated the inaugural exhibition, WINIKO: Life of an Object, at the First Americans Museum featuring a loan from Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian. Welana recently created the Wahzhazhe Puppet Theatre and currently serves as the Artistic Director.
Bill Webb - Executive Director
Bill Webb is the founder and Senior Managing Partner of Legacy Foundation and Event Management, a Southlake, Texas-based firm that develops and manages foundations and charities for professional athletes and coaches, corporations and individuals. He serves as Executive Director of the Osage Nation Foundation and manages the daily operations of the foundation. He has served in this capacity since 2010. He is also an investor and owner of a number of businesses across multiple industries. He is the author of Igniting the Blue Flame: Answer the Call To Leadership and speaks throughout the country on the topic of leadership. He is active in a number of charitable causes. He is married for more than 20 years to his wife Jill and has three teenage sons.