Leadership South Dakota

🌟 Leadership South Dakota Class of 2025 Spotlight: Sara Lum, AIA, MBA 🌟 Introducing Sara Lum, a Creative Partner at Strategie! In her role, Sara leads the development and execution of creative marketing solutions for clients while guiding long-term operational and financial planning for the business. As a self-proclaimed spreadsheet enthusiast, she thrives on processes and the satisfaction of bringing ideas to life. What does Sara love most about her work? The variety and the ability to build genuine relationships while solving problems through design. She believes that good design addresses challenges and delivers impactful results. Sara emphasizes that effective leadership involves embracing your strengths, surrounding yourself with people who excel in areas where you may not, and knowing your role within a team. She likens herself to "Robin to Batman," highlighting the importance of a solid number two in any great team. Participating in the Leadership South Dakota program resonates with Sara's values of continuous learning, community engagement, and relationship-building. She views this experience as an opportunity to enhance her effectiveness as a leader in her business and community. For those considering applying for Leadership SD, Sara encourages: "Take the leap and apply! This is a unique opportunity to expand your leadership skills, broaden your perspective, and build meaningful connections across the state." This year, she's particularly excited about the session focused on health and finance—fields that can often feel mysterious even for those familiar with them, as Sara knows well, having grown up with parents in both industries. Fun fact: Sara was a D1 walk-on basketball player with a perfect shooting record—1 for 1! 🏀 She's also a high school basketball referee and is passionate about encouraging other women and young professionals to engage in their communities and develop their leadership skills through officiating. Join us in celebrating Sara's commitment to creativity, leadership, and community impact! #LeadershipSouthDakota #LeadershipSD2025 #MeetTheClass

That's a wrap, folks! 🎉 Our annual giving campaign was an incredible success, and it's all thanks to YOU! A huge THANK YOU to our fantastic network of program alums, AGC Class Champions, Campaign Chair Anshu Chandra, Board of Directors, friends, and sponsors. Your dedication, generosity, and hard work have made record-breaking success possible. 📸 Swipe through to see the incredible impact you've made—including an impressive $50,914 in donations! Because of your time, talent, and treasure, Leadership SD remains accessible to everyone. Finances will not be a barrier for future participants, ensuring the next generation of leaders can experience this life-changing program.

After this week’s quarterly meeting with our Board of Directors, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to have such passionate and committed individuals guiding Leadership South Dakota. Their dedication ensures that our organization continues to grow and empower the next generation of leaders in our state. Thank you for your continued generosity, vision, and unwavering belief in our mission! 💙 Pictured L-R: Exec. Director John Meyer (Class of 2018), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Dana Dykhouse, Lynn Kendall (Class of 2020), Paula Jensen (Class of 2016), Paul Tschetter (Class of 2015), Dr. Heather Spies, and Don Hedrick (Class of 2017)

We are incredibly grateful and excited to say a huge “THANK YOU!” to Sammons Financial Group Companies for their outstanding generosity and belief in our mission on this Giving Tuesday and South Dakota Day of Giving! 🎉💙 Sammons Financial Group is making a tremendous impact by contributing a full-ride scholarship of $5,000 (covering tuition and travel expenses) for a future participant of Leadership South Dakota. This gift directly empowers the leaders of tomorrow and strengthens communities across our great state. Your support means the world to us! Thank you for helping us build a brighter future for SD! 🌟 #ForSouthDakota #MissionMatters #SDDayOfGiving #LeadSD

As we celebrate South Dakota Day of Giving and the final day of our annual giving campaign, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible community—our alumni, Board of Directors, Friends of the Program, and generous sponsors—who have united to create lasting impact. Your generosity ensures that future participants of Leadership SD can access this transformative program free from financial barriers. Together, you’re empowering the next generation of South Dakota’s leaders to grow, connect, and lead with purpose. Today, we celebrate YOU—our community of changemakers. Your dedication and passion inspire us and create a ripple effect that will be felt across South Dakota for years to come. 💙 Thank you for showing up, leading with heart, and investing in South Dakota’s future! ⏰ There’s still time to make an impact! Today is the final day to donate to our campaign. Your gift helps fund tuition and travel scholarships for future participants and supports ongoing alumni programs. ➡️ Learn more and donate: https://lnkd.in/gvprBSSm #LeadershipSD #ForSouthDakota South Dakota Gives #AttitudeOfGratitude

🌟 Leadership South Dakota Class of 2025 Spotlight: Katie Bartling 🌟 Meet Katie Bartling, the VP of Marketing & Customer Experience at Sammons Financial Group Companies! As the leader of a talented team, Katie empowers clients, distribution partners, and sales teams to navigate the world of life insurance. Through creative marketing campaigns and intentional service design, she ensures individuals have the tools and knowledge to make informed financial decisions and secure their futures. Katie's favorite part of her role is collaborating with her incredible team. The camaraderie and shared purpose in their mission make every project fulfilling. Knowing their efforts contribute to protecting families and businesses through life insurance adds even more meaning to their work. One of the most important lessons Katie has learned about leadership is the value of authenticity and self-awareness. Leading from a place of empathy and understanding allows her to connect meaningfully with her team and build trust. She also believes in the importance of continual growth as a leader, leaning into strengths while being open to learning and adapting. Participating in the Leadership South Dakota program is vital for Katie, as it offers a unique opportunity to refine her leadership skills while understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the state. She looks forward to connecting with diverse leaders and engaging in meaningful discussions about community and regional issues. For those considering applying for next year's class of Leadership South Dakota, Katie encourages: "Take the leap and embrace the opportunity! This program is a fantastic way to step outside your comfort zone and grow both personally and professionally." This year, she's particularly excited for the session in Rapid City, eager to explore the beauty of that part of South Dakota. Fun fact: Katie played soccer at the University of Nebraska—Go Huskers! ⚽️🏆 Join us in celebrating Katie's commitment to leadership and community impact! #LeadershipSouthDakota #LeadershipSD2025 #MeetTheClass

We had a jam-packed schedule in and around Rapid City last week! A huge thanks to the amazing hosts and speakers that shared their passions, leadership lessons, and time with our class. This session helped strengthen class bonds, give some time for self reflection, and network with a great group of West River alumni. Is it time for the next session yet?! ;) #LeadershipSD2025

🌟 Leadership South Dakota Class of 2025 Spotlight: Dr. Sara Vande Kamp 🌟 Introducing Dr. Sara Vande Kamp, the Eastern South Dakota Perkins Consortium Director at Southeast Technical College and the South Dakota Department of Education. Sara manages the state's largest Career and Technical Education Perkins consortium, assisting 36 eastern South Dakota school districts in aligning educational programs with workforce needs. Her favorite part of the job? Getting out to the schools, understanding their unique needs, and building strong relationships with educators and industry partners. Sara knows that by fostering these connections, she can help shape the future of education for students across the state. One of the most valuable lessons Sara has learned about leadership is that it's okay not to have all the answers. By actively listening to the needs and insights of others, Sara broadens her own perspective and cultivates a more collaborative leadership style. This approach builds trust and respect, making her a more effective and empathetic leader. Participating in the Leadership South Dakota program is essential to Sara, as she's continually inspired by the amazing progress and opportunities across the state. She believes in celebrating our successes and is eager to connect with others who share this vision for South Dakota's future. This year, she's particularly looking forward to our Mission area session, a place that represents a unique cultural aspect of our state. For anyone considering applying next year, Sara encourages: "You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! It's a fantastic way to gain a deeper understanding of our state and connect with the people who make it so special!" Fun fact: Sara had a vocal music scholarship during her undergraduate years, and music remains a significant part of her life! 🎶 She also prides herself on crafting the perfect decaf latte—who's ready to join her on a quest to visit every coffee shop in South Dakota? ☕️ Join us in celebrating Sara's commitment to education and community growth! #LeadershipSouthDakota #LeadershipSD2025 #MeetTheClass

👋 Rapid City area alumni! We will be at The BOX Events Center next week on Thursday, November 14 for an alumni networking night. Mingle with our new class of 2025 and other area alum at social hour, then feel free to grab dinner with us and listen to Dr. Rachel MK Headley speak to our group. Register + see the full details at https://lnkd.in/grWrvP9f and tag someone from your class you'd like to see there!

Our annual giving campaign starts TODAY! Each of our classes has a goal to raise $3500 to go towards tuition and travel scholarships for future Leadership SD program participants. Let’s work together and ensure everyone has access to our program! To donate, find your class at https://lnkd.in/gvprBSSm. Thank you for your help in ensuring everyone has access to our program! 🫶