May 18, 2026:
The most recent Leadership Pierre Class, as well as the classroom-only students, graduated on Thursday (May 14, 2026).
Leadership Pierre is a community leadership development program that brings professionals together from the Pierre and Fort Pierre area to strengthen leadership skills, build community connections and explore issues impacting central South Dakota. Throughout the program year, participants completed sessions focused on business, government, healthcare, education and community engagement. Graduation recognizes their commitment to professional growth and community leadership.
The Leadership Educational Sessions are led by Eric Therwanger, Founder of the Think GREAT Foundation.
Leadership Pierre 2025-26 graduates include:
- Grace Campbell, S.D. Department of Health – Forensics
- Blake Cruse – First Dakota National Bank
- Ely De Alba – Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce
- Kyler Flock – Travel South Dakota
- Kat Haarstad – Avera
- Ivey Kanarick-Godinez – BankWest
- Emmalee Krekelberg – Capital Area Counseling Services
- Renae Lehman – Dakota Wesleyan University, Learn & Earn Program
- Abby Marquardt – S.D. Department of Tribal Relations
- Tyler Mohs – BankWest
- Casey Pamperien – City of Pierre
- Eric Peterson – River Cities Transit
- Kira Riley – Riddles Jewelry
- Jerika Scott – S.D. Department of Education
- Lacey Walz – City of Pierre
Classroom Only Graduating Students:
- Wren Hollingsworth – Lucere Aesthetics
- Kimberly Leiferman – Countryside Support
- Dani Norden – Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce
- Miranda Panzer – Visit Pierre, SD
- Lara Williams – Capital Area Counseling Services
Applications for Leadership Pierre 2026-2027 will be available on the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce website in July, pierre.org.
Leadership Pierre Class of 2025-26.
Courtesy photo.
August 21, 2025:
The kickoff event for the members of the 2025-26 classes of Leadership Pierre was held last week (Aug. 14, 2025).
The regular, ten-month program through the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce develops local leaders by strengthening skills, building networks and deepening knowledge of community issues and opportunities. Participants meet monthly for sessions on business, government, healthcare, education and more, all designed to inspire civic involvement and leadership growth.
Members of the Leadership Pierre Class of 2025-26 are:
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Desiree Bonhorst
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Grace Campbell
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Blake Cruse
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Ely De Alba
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Kyler Flock
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Kat Haarstad
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Zeke Johnson
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Ivey Kanarick-Godinez
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Emmalee Krekelberg
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Renae Lehman
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Abby Marquardt
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Tyler Mohs
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Casey Pamperien
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Eric Peterson
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Kira Riley
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Jerika Scott
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Lacey Walz
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Michele Weischedel
The Leadership Pierre classroom only participants are:
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Lara Williams
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Kimberly Leiferman
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Wren Hollingsworth
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Dani Norden
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Miranda Panzer
The classroom only sessions are by Eric Therwanger, Founder of Think GREAT.
Courtesy image.
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