Business leaders elected to join Foundation’s Board of Directors

Chris Daugaard

Chris Daugaard is a partner with Ernst Capital Group, a Sioux Falls, SD-based private equity real estate firm. He is the president and CEO of the firm’s affiliated Broker-Dealer, Ernst Capital Securities, and oversees the firm’s investment sales, regulatory compliance operations, and communications. Chris also works with the firm’s development partners, assisting in the creation, structuring, and management of the firm’s investment partnerships. He joined Ernst Capital in 2014 and is a licensed Securities Principal and Real Estate Broker Associate.

Prior to joining Ernst Capital, Chris worked in analysis and business development roles for Raven Industries, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, and the Enterprise Institute.

Chris holds a B.S. in Political Science from South Dakota State University with Honors College distinction. He also studied transportation and urban planning at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. Chris is a graduate of the inaugural class of Leadership South Dakota and chairs the advisory board for Jobs for America’s Graduates – South Dakota.

Jason Kjenstad

Jason Kjenstad is a Senior Vice President at HDR, Engineering, Inc. He currently serves as the Area Manager for the Dakota’s and Wyoming area. HDR is a global engineering firm with over 220 offices in the United States along with offices globally in a variety of counties. The Dakota’s and Wyoming area has seven offices with over 220 employees serving over 50 communities and an abundance of state agencies delivering some of the largest infrastructure projects in the region.

HDR’s largest office in the Dakota’s and Wyoming area is Sioux Falls with approximately 100 professionals working in all engineering disciplines along with surveyors, real estate agents, strategic communication specialists, and environmental scientists. Notable projects that HDR has delivered in the community include the 41st Street Diverging Diamond Interchange, multiple segments of Veterans Parkway including the South segment in construction now, large diameter sewer interceptors and water lines across Sioux Falls, and the 26th Street and Southeastern Avenue improvements.

Jason is graduate of South Dakota State University receiving his undergrad in Civil and Environmental Engineering as well as his M.S. in Civil Engineering.

Marla Meyer

Since October 2016 Marla Meyer has served as the CEO for Girl Scouts – Dakota Horizons (GSDH) serving North Dakota, South Dakota, 13 counties in western Minnesota and one county in Iowa. She is passionate about leading an organization that is dedicated to providing experiences for girls that encourage them to unleash their leadership potential. Marla and her team work every day to support the go-getters, innovators, risk takers, and leaders that our workforce and world need. GSDH has built a culture, rooted in strengths, around providing outstanding Member Services and Support which has led to growth. Marla also contributes to the Girl Scout Movement and Girl Scouts USA through her role as Co-Chair of the National Steering Committee for the Cookie Program…the largest Girl- Led business in the world filled with young entrepreneurs.

Marla brings a broad business background to the Girl Scouts. A multi-functional Senior Executive with extensive accomplishments in the consumer package goods industry in multi-state, international and turnaround situations, Marla has an exceptional ability to collaborate across functions and divisions to deliver industry leading solutions in the areas of customer satisfaction, productivity, and building brand equity. Her experience includes working for Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Sears Holdings Corporation. Marla brings expertise in developing marketing solutions and selling effectiveness, as well as a recognized track record of securing business, growing partnerships, driving revenue, and building brands. Marla received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Management at Minnesota State University-Mankato, and her MBA in Marketing from the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno where she was also named as the “Scholar in Marketing.” Originally from Beaver Creek, MN, Marla has lived in multiple U.S. regions, and resides in Brandon, SD, with her twins; her son Max and daughter Madi. She serves as a founding Board Member for Rock Ranch, on the personnel committee at her church, and has enjoyed serving on the Sioux Falls Chamber’s Business Leadership Council, and as a Mentor in the EmBe Women’s Leadership Program.