Education– Went to trade school in Seward Alaska. Graduated with a degree in industrial electrical systems and electronics. Community Involvement– Very active in the community and involved with several non-profits and community organizations. Leadership Style– Servant Leader with a focus on mentorship.

Favorite Quote– “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.) Nelson Henderson

Born in Spearfish, South Dakota and raised in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

Education– South Dakota State University, BS of Business Economics; University of Wyoming, MBA. Community Involvement– Active in volunteering and leading multiple charitable organizational events through Assurant, previously been member of multiple community boards. Leadership Style- Agile Leader with a focus on coaching and development of others.

Favorite Quote: “Don’t Be Afraid to be Amazing!” – Andy Offutt Irwin

I was born and raised in Duluth, MN. I moved to Superior, WI for about 3 years when I got married. My husband was from Rapid City and we moved here 24 years ago.

Education– BA in Business Management from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Community Involvement-Other than BHLD, Leadership Rapid City Board Member and current chair, sat on the city’s Vision Fund Citizen’s committee for 2 sessions, Volunteer & Treasurer Rapid City Summer Nights for 10 years, Rapid City Jaycees, various sports mom volunteer duties. Leadership Style– I’m not sure it’s considered a style, but I’m big on collaboration, teamwork and unity. I prefer to push from behind then pull from the lead.

Favorite Quote– From my third grade teacher, Mrs Wagner. She had it posted in her room and it has always stuck with me. “If you don’t have time to do it correctly the first time, when will you have time to do it over.”

Public Works Administrative Coordinator, City of Rapid City

Born in New Jersey, raised in Chamberlain, moved to Rapid City in 2000.

Education– Everything I know, I learned through life experience.Community Involvement– Habitat for Humanity, Women’s Community Leadership Initiative, Community Emergency Response Team, Emergency Management Disaster Simulation Victim, Leadership Rapid City 2016, Women in Leadership 2018

Favorite Quote- “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” ~ Benjamin Mee

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~Theodor Roosevelt

Vice President, Operations at Synchrony Financial

Born and raised in Winner, South Dakota. Education– Graduated from National American University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Master’s Degree in Human Resources. Community Involvement-Black Hills Leadership Development, Junior Leadership, and the United Way. Leadership Style– Servant Leadership.

Favorite Quote– “What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall

Founder and CEO, Hope Storm

Grew up primarily in SD but spent time in ND, WY, and MN, a SD girl at heart. Education– Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Dakota Wesleyan University, Master’s degree in psychology from Walden University, Doctoral degree in forensic psychology from Walden University. Community Involvement – Active in the community and involved in various organizations including Zonta, Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, American Association of University Women, and the Black Hills Area Homeless Coalition Youth Taskforce. Leadership Style– Servant or transformational with a focus on healing and growth.

Favorite Quote-“What is life but one grand adventure?”~unknown

Education– BA Psychology Degree, University of South Dakota. Community Involvement– Active around community within local charitable events and the RC Area School District. Leadership Style– Participative Leadership style with a focus on team member empowerment

Favorite Quote–  Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Neale Donald Walsh

Born in Spearfish, SD and raised in Alzada, MT.

Education– BA Psychology, Montana State University of Billings. Community Involvement-board member of Black Hills Leadership Development, and a volunteer for the West River Spay Neuter Coalition. Leadership Style– iX Leadership.

Favorite Quote– “In times like these it helps to recall there have always been times like these.” ~Paul Harvey