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 to be successful in leadership positions.
“This year’s class is full of incredible leaders. Our selection committee had to choose from an impressive list of nearly 80 folks from across South Dakota and they did a great job,” said Leadership South Dakota Executive Director John Meyer. “The team and I are anxious to get started with this class in September, and I personally am excited for Year Two at the helm of this important organization,” added Meyer.
Leadership South Dakota helps homegrown leaders expand their knowledge of the state. From Brookings to Rapid City and many unique places in between, participants learn from extraordinary people who have contributed to the fabric of South Dakota. In the program, the 2025 class members listed below will gain leadership skills, helping them shape the future of the state.
The organization’s values of Discover, Connect, and Do reflect the goals of each program participant discovering something new about themselves and their state, connecting with their classmates and fellow South Dakota leaders they hear from. Students commit to action at the end of the program as a result of what they saw and learned in their Leadership South Dakota experience.’
Class of 2025
Aaron Riswold – Dell Rapids
Adam Walsh – Harrisburg
Alana Snyder – Sioux Falls
Angela Rans – Huron
April Meyerink – Sioux Falls
Ashley Hobbs – Mitchell
Bryce Pattison – Sioux Falls
Dave Van Nieuwenhuyzen – Sioux Falls
David Andrew Rogers – Sioux Falls
Dory Hanson – Lead
Dustin Morrison – Rapid City
Eric Nelson – Rapid City
Floyd Rummel – Madison
Heather Zinter – Milbank
Jamie Boettcher – Spearfish
Jamie Ward – Sioux Falls
Jason Kann – Brandon
Jessica Larson – Mission
Jimmy Seward – Marcus
Jody Shaw Hernandez – Brookings
Kari Hybertson – Sioux Falls
Katey Ulrich – Vermillion
Katie Bartling – Sioux Falls
Kelly Nelson – Pierre
Kimberly Lofgren – Mitchell
Liz Scheifen – Mitchell
Matthew Knippling – Flandreau
Megan Kjose – Sioux Falls
Melissa Dellman – Chester
Dr. Melissa Dittberner – Volin
Michelle Socia – Watertown
Ryan Schmidtman – Sioux Falls
Sara Lum – Sioux Falls
Sara Vande Kamp – Sioux Falls
Sara Waldner – Sioux Falls
Tara Yost – Ree Heights
Terry Liggins – Sioux Falls
Thad Titze – Sioux Falls
Timothy Doyle – Rapid City
Traci Nord – Sioux Falls
Participants were selected from diverse occupations and locations throughout the state by a selection committee. During the program, the Class of 2025 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 the challenges, opportunities, and successes they have encountered on their journeys.
Session Locations
• Pierre area: September 2024
• Brookings area: October 2024
• Rapid City/Ellsworth area: November 2024
• Yankton/Vermillion area: January 2025
• Mission area: February 2025
• Sioux Falls area: March 2025
• Chamberlain: March 2025
The class member list, along with the program dates and locations can be viewed at LeadershipSouthDakota.com.
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