Kristiana Coutu serves as the Director of Policy, Research, and Tribal Governance for the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative. Kristiana has devoted her career to developing comprehensive expertise within the agriculture industry. Before joining IFAI, Kristiana spent 15 years practicing agricultural law in Michigan. Kristiana’s experience also includes lending for the Farm Credit System, working with producers on taxation issues as a Certified Public Accountant, and operating her family farm. 

Kristiana is licensed to practice in Michigan and is also admitted to practice in the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Tribal Court, the U.S. District Courts for Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the U.S. Tax Court.

Kristiana received a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Connecticut, an M.S. Taxation from Grand Valley State University, and a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.