May 31, 2019

Leadership South Dakota has selected 43 class members to participate in the sixth class of its eight-month leadership program.

The program has a mission to attract engaged citizens from across the state and provide them with the background, unique experiences and insights necessary to assume leadership positions at the community, state and national levels.

Those chosen for the latest class are:
Will Areklett, Valley Queen Cheese
Seth Artz, POET
Breanna Beebe, First PREMIER Bank
Angela Beilke, First PREMIER Bank
Jeremy Bill, Sammons Financial Group
Lora Black, Sanford Health
Michael Bockorny, Aberdeen Development Corporation
Lee Bollock, Avera
Paul Briseno, Brookings city manager
Jessica Castleberry, Little Nest Preschools LLC
Catherine Chicoine, South Dakota Trust Co.
Marc Eyre, Black Hills Energy
Blake Gunderson, The First National Bank in Sioux Falls
Alex Halbach, Cutler Law Firm LLP
Tim Jensen, TSPInc.
Amanda Johnson, First Interstate Bank
Lynn Kendall, Rapid City Chamber of Commerce
Lindsey Kimber, Glacial Lakes Area Development
Jenessa Kniffen, South Dakota Magazine
Heath Kooiman, Woltman Group PC
Heather Krause, Sanford Health
Matt Kull, NACA Inspired Schools Network
Kasey Maher, Grounded Coffee & Gifts
Brienne Maner, Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship
Paul Mantz, NorthWestern Energy
Molly McIntosh, Peace of Mind Counseling
Jay Mitchell, Great Western Bank
Brian Mueller, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
Brodie Mueller, Dakota Territory Brewing Co.
Rachelle Norberg, Gunvordahl, Gunvordahl & Norberg PLLC
Steve Payne, Avera eCARE
John Pohlman, Lawrence & Schiller
Jeff Poppen, Sanford Health
Pooja Pullman, Raven Industries
Greg Robinson, SDN Communications
Kelsey Sakos, Rapid City Mayor’s Office
Karla Santi, Blend Interactive
Leah Sideras, MetaBank
Justin Smorawske, Epicosity
Michelle Stephens, Regional Health
Cecily Tucker, First PREMIER Bankcard
Kristi Wagner,  Dakota Resources
Jenny Wolff, Marsh & McLennan Agency

Participants were selected from a diverse background of occupations and locations throughout the state. During their time in the program, the 2020 class will meet in cities throughout South Dakota while focusing on a variety of relevant and important topics.

There are 205 alumni of Leadership South Dakota.