Leadership South Dakota Announces 11th Class

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Leadership South Dakota Announces 11th Class

By on May 23, 2024 in

Leadership South Dakota is excited to announce the 40 individuals participating in this year’s program. This group of South Dakotans will kick off the organization’s 11th Class when they meet in Pierre this September. The comprehensive, statewide program engages citizens from across the state and provides participants with the background, unique experiences, and insights necessary […]

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A Tribute to Jim Beddow

By on June 30, 2023 in

A reflection from Leadership South Dakota founders, Rick & Valerie Melmer Like many in South Dakota, my wife Valerie and I were saddened by the loss of Jim Beddow. Jim was a friend and mentor, and we always enjoyed our opportunities to visit with Jim and his wife Jean. Valerie’s family and the Beddows had […]

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Leadership South Dakota Welcomes 10th Class

By on May 23, 2023 in

With a new director at the helm, Leadership South Dakota is excited to announce the students selected to take part in this year’s program. With a record number of applications, this group of South Dakotans will kick off the 10th class when they meet in Pierre this fall. The comprehensive, statewide program has a mission […]

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Leadership South Dakota Board Hires New Director

By on January 10, 2023 in

Sioux Falls, SD – (Jan. 10) The Leadership South Dakota Board announces the selection of John Meyer as the organization’s next Executive Director. Meyer, former co-founder and CEO of Lemonly, will transition into the role over the next few months until April 1, when Meyer fully takes the reins. “We were thrilled with the interest […]

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Leadership South Dakota Announces “Graduation” of Rick & Val Melmer & Search for New Director

By on September 6, 2022 in

After nine years at the helm of Leadership South Dakota, Executive Director Rick Melmer and wife Valerie Melmer, Hospitality Coordinator, have announced they are “graduating” from their respective roles following the completion of the 2023 program year. Since starting the program in 2014 with the mission to build the next generation of South Dakota leaders, […]

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Leadership South Dakota Welcomes 9th Class

By on June 9, 2022 in

Leadership South Dakota is excited to announce the 43 students who will take part in this year’s program. With a record number of applications, this group of South Dakotans will kick off the 9th class when they meet in Pierre this Fall. The comprehensive, statewide program has a mission to engage citizens from across the […]

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Leadership South Dakota Welcomes 8th Class

By on June 15, 2021 in

Leadership South Dakota is excited to announce the selection of 42 class members for their next 8-month leadership program. This class represents the 8th class to participate in Leadership South Dakota and will kick off the first session in Pierre this September. Leadership South Dakota is a statewide program with a mission to engage citizens […]

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2020-2021 Leadership South Dakota Class Announced

By on June 17, 2020 in

June 17, 2020 Leadership South Dakota Welcomes 7th Class  Leadership South Dakota has selected 41 class members to participate in an 8-month leadership program, which begins in September. Leadership South Dakota is a statewide program with a mission to engage citizens from across the state. It provides participants with the background, unique experiences and insights […]

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Leadership South Dakota selects sixth class

By on May 31, 2019 in

Leadership South Dakota selects sixth class Leadership South Dakota has selected 43 class members to participate in the 8-month leadership program, which will begin in September. Leadership South Dakota is a statewide program with a mission to attract engaged citizens from across the state, then provide them with the background, unique experiences and insights necessary […]

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Why Don’t We Talk to Each Other?

By on February 22, 2019 in

It’s true for teams.  It’s true for organizations.  It’s even true in marriages.  Communication is an ongoing struggle for all of us.  Over the past five years, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of organizations through team building, leadership training and strategic planning initiatives.  As we discuss the strengths of each […]

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Alumni Newsletter – March 2018

By on March 1, 2018 in

A Message From The Leadership South Dakota Directors The fourth class of Leadership South Dakota will graduate on Friday, April 6th in Chamberlain. Following this celebration, we will have 160 alumni across the state of South Dakota. We are confident that as we add 40 members to our alumni base each year, our collective influence […]

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Alumni Newsletter – January 2018

By on January 1, 2018 in

A Message From The Leadership South Dakota Directors Four years ago, the Leadership South Dakota program started with its first class of leaders from across our great state. Through the early support of the South  Dakota Community Foundation and the Bush Foundation, seed money was generated to begin this leadership journey. Through the generous support of […]

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This Ain’t Your Mama’s Professional Development

By on December 9, 2017 in

By Rick Melmer Leadership Coach I remember my days as a school administrator. We would schedule professional development days for our staff members and hope that the training sessions were helpful. However, we couldn’t escape the nicknames that always hurt but also seemed appropriate for our trainings. Labels like “one and done” or “sit and get” seemed to […]

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Alumni Newsletter – November 2017

By on November 1, 2017 in

A Message from the Leadership South Dakota Directors Getting To Church On Time In our Leadership SD classes, we discuss the topic of leadership on an ongoing basis. Recently I was visiting with Mark Dunn, a 2016 graduate of Leadership SD, on his description of leadership. Mark told an interesting story that illustrates leadership perfectly. Mark […]

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Alumni Newsletter – July 2017

By on July 1, 2017 in

A Message from the Leadership South Dakota Directors There are many benefits to the Leadership South Dakota program, but probably the greatest benefit is the friendships we all make every time a new class gathers for another program year. We are preparing for our fourth class this Fall and while we are excited about new […]

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Alumni Newsletter – March 2017

By on March 1, 2017 in

A Message From The Leadership South Dakota Directors The third year of the Leadership South  Dakota program is ending. We are now  preparing for our fourth year and are in  our recruitment phase. While we have been happy with the progress of the Leadership SD program, we know that the program could be even stronger. In […]

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Olds Dogs, New Tricks

By on February 28, 2017 in

By Rick Melmer – Leadership Coach Over the course of my professional life, I’ve learned that you must re-invent yourself from time to time. You know, switch things up – sing a new song – take on a new challenge. At the age of 59, I’m beginning a new venture as a Leadership Coach who works with […]

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Alumni Newsletter – January 2017

By on January 1, 2017 in

A Message from the Leadership South Dakota Directors As we reflect on 2016, the need for a program like Leadership South Dakota has never been more evident. In his book, The Vanishing Neighbor, author Marc Dunkelman illustrated the fact that we all have three rings of relationships. The inner ring consists of our intimate contacts […]

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