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 state and provides participants with the background, unique experiences and insights necessary to be successful in leadership positions.
“We are excited to announce this years’ class and look forward to working with a great group of folks who are interested in improving their leadership capabilities. We are grateful to have this new class bring their experiences and perspectives to the conversation this year as we all learn how to be better leaders at work, in our communities and for our state,” stated Rick Melmer Leadership South Dakota Director.
Leadership South Dakota helps homegrown leaders expand their knowledge of the state. From Brookings and Huron to Mission and Rapid City, participants learn from extraordinary people who have contributed to the fabric of our state. In the program, the 2023 class members listed below will gain leadership and organizational management skills, helping them shape the future of South Dakota.
With more than 300 Leadership South Dakota graduates, the consistent positive feedback from those participating has been quite encouraging for this exclusive leadership program.
“Leadership South Dakota is so much more than I expected. I have met people and visited locations all across the state. The leadership development and learning opportunities have been wonderful.” Amanda Johnson, First Interstate Bank (Class of 2020)
“Leadership South Dakota has been an incredible experience as I have had the privilege of meeting some great leaders from across South Dakota. We live in a great state and it has been an honor to learn more about South Dakota history and the diversity that exists here. With the leaders that I have met I know that as amazing as the history is, there are even greater days ahead for South Dakota and I am honored to be part of that future.” Greg Robinson, SDN Communications (Class of 2020)
“Leadership South Dakota offers an unparalleled opportunity to deepen understanding, debunk misconceptions, break open new interests and develop extraordinary relationships”. Jennifer Weiss, Sanford Health (Class of 2019)
The class member list, along with the program dates and locations can be viewed at LeadershipSouthDakota.com. Participants were selected from a diverse background of occupations and locations throughout the state.
Class of 2023
Christie Aberson – First Interstate Bank
Travis Adney – Lawrence & Schiller
Amanda Anglin – Sturgis Economic Development Corp.
Andrew Becker – Rapid City Police Dept.
Kecia Beranek – On Hand Development Corp.
Dominika Blum – Northern State University
Rebecca Bradley – Monument Health
Miranda Broin – POET
Mike Burgard – Marco
Kim Burma – Midco
Scott Carbonneau – First PREMIER Bank
Margaret Carmody – Raven Industries
Brian Cooper – Maguire Iron
Eric Dekam – SBS Cybersecurity
Madeline Diedrich – South Dakota Trust Company
Katelyn Duffy – NorthWestern Energy
Natalie Eisenberg – Click Rain + Lemonly
Shawn Fredericksen – Sammons Financial
Thad Giedd – Pinnacle Productions
Ashia Gustafson – Brookings Public Library
Amy Hasvold – South Dakota Mines
Jennifer Hoesing – DakotAbilities
Luke Hutcheson – First PREMIER Bank
Richie Hutchinson – First Interstate Bank
Nate Johnson – Valley Queen Cheese
Stephanie Judson – SD Community Foundation
Michelle Kane – SD CEO West Women’s Business Center
Chelaine Knudsen – Yankton Sioux Tribe
David Larson – Hegg Realtor
Madeline Miller – Avera Mckennan — The Link
Erik Nyberg – Cutler Law Firm
Eric Pauli – Xcel Energy
Matt Roby – City of Watertown
Amy Sazue – Rapid City Indian Boarding School
Hannah Schaefer – South Dakota Magazine
Bo Secrest – Black Hills Energy
Kelsey Smith – Black Hills Special Services Coop
Sadie Swier – SD CEO East Women’s Business Center
Hope Vande Kop – SDN Communications
Nathan Vander Plaats – City Administrator, Lennox
Abbey Vanderwerf – Marsh McLennan Agency
Stacy Wrightsman – Sanford Health
Nicole Zoerink – Sanford Health
During their time in the program, the 2023 class will travel to a new area of the state each session and gain valuable insight on topics specific to that region, while hearing from leaders about their challenges, opportunities and successes they have encountered on their journeys.
2023 Session Dates
- Pierre September 21 – 23, 2022 (9/21-10:00am 9/23-3:00 pm)
- Brookings October 19 – 21, 2022
- Rapid City November 16 – 18, 2022
- Huron January 11 – 13, 2023
- Mission February 8 – 10, 2023
- Sioux Falls March 8 – 10, 2023
- Chamberlain March 24, 2023 (Graduation – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm)
About Leadership South Dakota:
Leadership South Dakota is a non-profit (501c3) organization established in 2014. Through generous grants from the South Dakota Community Foundation and the Bush Foundation, Leadership South Dakota became a reality. Leadership South Dakota is supported by First PREMIER Bank and Sanford Health (gold sponsors); Daktronics, Marco, First Interstate Bank, Black Hills Energy, Raven Industries, POET, Sammons Financial Group, SDN Communications, NorthWestern Energy, South Dakota Trust Company, Valley Queen, Avera, Marsh McLennan Agency and Monument Health (silver sponsors); and Boyce Law Firm, Dakota Resources, South Dakota Community Foundation, South Dakota Magazine, Pinnacle Productions and Lawrence & Schiller (in-kind sponsors).
For More information:
Rick Melmer
Executive Director
PO Box 91533
Sioux Falls, SD 57109
rick@leadershipsouthdakota.com