Mission & Vision Statement
Leadership South Dakota inspires leaders for a stronger South Dakota by connecting leaders who will invest in themselves, engage communities and elevate South Dakota.
Benefits of Leadership South Dakota
Our program builds leadership, critical thinking and public speaking skills through instruction and experiences you won’t get anywhere else. Learn how Leadership South Dakota provides class members with the knowledge and skills that prepare you to become the next generation of leaders in the state.
Participant Benefits
Get the training and insights to lead at any level while networking with other rising professionals.
Learn MoreEmployer Benefits
Increase your company’s community visibility, and expand your employee’s leadership skills.
Learn MoreCommunity Benefits
Develop positive, educated community leaders and increase cultural awareness of local issues.
Learn MoreParticipant Stories
Ready to see South Dakota in a whole new light? Hear how class graduates benefited from their experiences and saw sides of our state they never thought existed.
Upcoming Schedule
Take a look at the upcoming schedule for the current Leadership South Dakota class. We have several unique events planned across the entire state.
Program Orientation
September 2024
Program orientation and SD State Government behind the scenes. Learn how our state’s leadership works from the people who run it.
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Ag & Manufacturing
October 2024
Gain valuable insight into our state’s #1 industry, agriculture, as well as the all-important topic of education at SD’s land-grant university.
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South Dakota Tourism
November 2024
Dive into the incredible impact of South Dakota tourism, see the affect of our state’s military assistance, and explore natural resources available.
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Testimonials
Everyone benefits from our program, from the participants to the CEOs who hire them. Hear what these people have to say about Leadership South Dakota.
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“Leadership SD has provided me with the opportunity to not only develop a cohort of friends of up-and-coming leaders throughout the state, but also has opened my eyes to the wealth of opportunity available in all industries in our state.”
Dr. Pam Lange
Director of Development and Grant Management
BHSSC
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“I came into the program looking forward to the professional development aspects, and while those have been excellent, the opportunities made available to me as a leader to network, diagnose real SD problems and create solutions with my peers is what I carry back to my office, and team, after each and every session.”
Suzanne Stluka
Food & Families Program Director
SDSU Extension
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“From the foothills of Crazy Horse Monument to the factory floors of Brookings’ premier manufacturers, and everywhere in between, Leadership SD provides unprecedented access to some of our state’s greatest resources: past, present, and future.”
Brian Sandvig
Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc
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"Leadership South Dakota promises to provide its participants with the opportunity to see places that few people have seen, meet people that most people want to meet and learn skills that will help them lead in the future. First Premier Bank is a proud sponsor of this program."
Dana Dykhouse
CEO
First PREMIER Bank
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"The Bush Foundation is delighted to support Leadership South Dakota. The future of the state rests in the hands of its people. We believe that getting more people better equipped and better networked to lead change is one of the most critical strategies for ensuring our region’s strength and prosperity."
Jen Ford Reedy
President
Bush Foundation
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“Leadership South Dakota will be an opportunity for emerging leaders to learn how South Dakotans have overcome challenges in the past and see first hand the hurdles we face today... We also hope they will emerge from the seven sessions with a deeper desire to use their talents and resources to find innovative solutions to challenges within our borders.”
Stephanie Judson
President
South Dakota Community Foundation
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"Sanford Health is excited to support the Leadership South Dakota Program. Personally, I can’t think of a better way to invest in our communities and state than to assist in building the “bench” of future leadership. Leadership South Dakota will provide that opportunity to individuals across our state who aspire to make a difference and I look forward to being part of this important effort. "
Mike Begemen
Executive Chief of Staff & V.P. Public Affairs
Sanford Health
Leadership SD Sponsors
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Get Informed
Sign up to be added to our email list for monthly updates to the lineup, schedule announcements and other callouts to our sponsors and participants.