FOR RELEASE: August 11, 2022
Contact:
Shiloh Francis, Communications Director, Elevate Rapid City
shiloh.francis@elevaterapidcity.com | 605.870.0364
24 Up and Coming Leaders Selected for 2023 Elevate Leadership Institute
In order achieve the mission to elevate the region for all, Elevate Rapid City knows an investment must be made in growing and developing leaders. That is why they have created the Elevate Leadership Institute (ELI).
Set to begin September 8, this 9-month program provides participants with the background, unique experiences, and insights necessary to assume leadership positions in the community. By the end of the program an ELI graduate will advance their natural desire to serve, engage, lead, and inspire others to join them to achieve even greater success. Together, the class will discover the vision and continue to develop partnerships with a purpose to elevate the region for all.
“To be a leader in today’s challenging, multi-cultural, and fast-paced environment takes courage, communication, and sometimes a little bit of grit. This year’s class looks to have a lot of all three,” says Tom Johnson, president & CEO of Elevate Rapid City. “We are confident that once they have graduated from ELI, the community can expect great things. We know they will be ready to Elevate the region for years to come.”
“We are excited to welcome another group of this region’s leaders!” says Samantha McGrath, workforce development and talent attraction director. “This group of participants will bring a diverse perspective to the next generation of leadership in Rapid City. Each session will challenge their hearts, minds, and souls as they think about what it means to serve and lead this community.”
Elevate Leadership Institute Class of 2023
- Cassandra Birrenkott, South Dakota Mines
- Michael Brown, 605 Grit Fitness
- Christine Carey, Community Health Center of the Black Hills
- Kallie Carey, City of Wall
- Conor Casey, Beardsley, Jensen & Lee
- Aaron Costello, Black Hills Energy
- Marc Cote, Rapid City Police Department
- Amanda Dilling, Monument Health
- Allyson Formanek, Visit Rapid City
- Samantha Harkin, South Dakota Mines
- Joel Hermann, Black Hills Community Bank
- Haley Holzwarth, JLG Architects
- Christopher Johnson, Tinderbox
- Kerry Lassaux, United Way of the Black Hills
- Trey Livermont, Pergroup
- Chelsie Ogaard, Children's Home Society of South Dakota
- Michelle Pawelski, Firehouse Wine Cellars/Smokejumper Station
- Ingrid Reuter, First Interstate Bank
- Bobbi Schaefbauer, Downtown Rapid City
- Nate Starkey, BMS Financial Advisors
- Eltina Three Stars, Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board
- Ty Tomasko, Cole-TAC
- Jacob Vissia, SD Army National Guard
- Jacob West, Omnitech Inc.
Kerry Lassaux with United Way of the Black Hills is also the recipient of the Linda Rabe Women in Leadership Scholarship. Rabe spent more than thirty years with the Elevate Rapid City Chamber, was the first female to serve as its chief executive, and broke barriers for other women in leadership throughout her career.