California couple follows their kids to college – in South Dakota

After a lifetime on the West Coast, Gina Rau estimates that there were at least 20 areas she and her husband, Justin, considered in making their next move.

“We had all the requirements listed out – from weather to friendliness, access to nature, access to bodies of water, politics, crime, at least 20 columns and probably 20 cities on our list,” she said.

“We took two years, and Sioux Falls kept rising to the top.”

Rau Family in front of Mt. Rushmore

In many ways, it was an unlikely destination for the family. Rau spent most of her life in Southern California, then moved with her family to Portland, Oregon, and spent two decades raising her son and daughter there. Daughter Marcelena was looking to go to college in California, and Rau’s parents needed some help, so they moved back there.

But her son, Patrick, decided to enroll in the cybersecurity program at Dakota State University in Madison, giving the family its first exposure to South Dakota.

“DSU was always top of his list,” Rau said.

“He got into many other schools, and I wasn’t sure because this was a kid who only knew life in Portland, and I thought it would be super-different.”

But the family visited, “and he said: ‘This is my place. This is where I want to be.’ He was impressed with the cyber program and liked the small school,” Rau said.

Patrick Rau at Dakota State University

“He was comfortable in that environment, and he said, ‘These are my people.’ It’s been really good for him. He had a great internship this summer at Daktronics, and he felt like he’s been prepared well.”

Something clicked in her son in South Dakota, she added. He participated in soccer and basketball intramural teams, as well as the esports team.

“And it was like, wow, you’re living your best life in Madison, South Dakota — a kid from Portland, Oregon.”

Patrick and Gina Rau at Dakota State University

For Rau, the entrepreneur community in Sioux Falls captured her interest.

“I was very involved with the Portland startup community and helped grow that 15 years ago, and I love working with entrepreneurs, so I found Startup Sioux Falls when I was downtown having coffee before we’d even decided to move here, and I said I need to learn more about that.”

And, in an added twist, Marcelena decided she actually didn’t want to go to college in California – and enrolled at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

Rau Family

“She decided to go to SDSU before we decided to move here,” Rau said. “She realized a lot of California schools are commuter schools, and she wanted the college experience. When we went to SDSU, she loved downtown Brookings, and it was the right size and had all the programs she wanted.”

Marcelena Rau holding a South Dakota State University pennant

She’s now studying graphic design with an interest in film studies and animation.

“And then, we realized they both would be here, and a lot of cities on our list were in the Southeast. One visit in the summer made us realize this is not our weather,” Rau said of that area of the country. “Of course, we have not been here in winter yet, but Portland does get some winter, and the people here were really nice. We like the slower pace, and it’s been fun to check out cities nearby like Omaha.”

Without kids, the couple decided they wanted to live downtown and recently moved into a new loft.

Justin and Gina Rau

“I love that we can park our car on Friday and walk all weekend long,” Rau said.

Justin has been a stay-at-home dad who more recently is focused on investments, while she has built a career in public relations and marketing, currently remotely working for a California-based global tech company.

Rau has connected through Startup Sioux Falls as a place to work and meet new people.

Gina Rau working at Startup Sioux Falls

“And I’ve met so many people here just by showing up,” she said. “I didn’t need office space but came here for the sense of community.”

The Rau family’s experience is a full-circle example of what newcomers find in Sioux Falls and the broader state, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

“I love hearing how their children first realized what incredible universities we have here, and that Mom and Dad now are finding the quality of life in Sioux Falls is outstanding as well,” she said.

Rau Family

“We can’t wait for Gina to become more involved in the startup community and to see what kinds of education and career experiences her kids are able to continue enjoying at our state universities.”

Rau also sees herself ready to put her skills and experience to work helping support other small businesses in her new home.

“I am ready,” she said. “I want to dig in and put my time and energy here.”

To learn more about growing your career in Sioux Falls – at any stage – email deniseg@siouxfalls.com.

New Yorker honors family’s 9/11 legacy in move to Sioux Falls

Megan Ciampo knew only one person in South Dakota — but that was all it took for an experience that ultimately prompted the New Yorker to move to Sioux Falls.

The first visit was after the 2021 baseball season. Ciampo had risen to an assistant general manager of a team similar to the Sioux Falls Canaries and needed a break.

Megan Ciampo working on a laptop

“With long hours and very few days off while working in professional baseball, I tried to end every season with a trip somewhere,” she said.

While other years had brought visits to the Jersey Shore or Massachusetts, in 2021 — she was 27 at the time — it was Sioux Falls.

“During that trip, I was surprised at how much there was to do in the city but wasn’t sold on moving here,” she said.

“It was only a couple months later when I was job searching that I decided to just see what was available. I had seen the Sanford Health all over during my first visit, so when I saw an opening that I was interested in, I applied. Even then, I didn’t think I would be moving here – but then I went through a few rounds of interviews, flew back to Sioux Falls for another weekend and was sold.”

Megan Ciampo in car with belongings

That was in 2022. Two years later, she’s still often asked “Why Sioux Falls?”

“I’m still not sure if I have the answer,” Ciampo said. “My response was always just ‘why not?’”

At the time, though, “it was the most terrifying and rewarding decision I’ve ever made,” she added. “There was a lot of back and forth before I did it. Every conversation ended with ‘if you hate it, you can move home,’ so I took the risk and haven’t regretted it.”

Ciampo’s early career has been filled with variety. She worked in a busy New York City newsroom, wrote a novel and spent almost six years with the New York Boulders baseball team.

Megan Ciampo poses with a poster of her book, "Dodging Raindrops"

Her job as a content strategist with Sanford Health has been a rewarding one, she said.

“The people I get to work with are so incredible and have welcomed me into South Dakota with open arms,” she said. “I love that I get to help tell real stories from real people that we’ve seen time and time again make a real difference for people in our communities throughout the Sanford footprint.”

Not only that, but her co-workers have become friends.

“One thing that people don’t tell you often is that making friends as an adult isn’t very easy, especially when you come from a place much different than the place you currently live,” she said.

“Thankfully, the people I work with every day are all around my age, and we all get along really well, so that made the meeting people part of making friends a bit easier. I’m still learning how to put myself out there, and I’m trying to get better at asking people if they want to grab lunch or drinks or hang out.”

South Dakota coffee mug

She first spotted an apartment that caught her eye when interviewing for a job and was able to move into it shortly after she relocated.

“I’m in the southeastern part of town, and I’m really happy with my decision to live in that area. I’m still renting and still in the same apartment that I initially moved into – mostly because the thought of moving all of my clothes sounds exhausting!” she said.

“But I’m constantly keeping an eye on what’s available to hopefully buy my own place relatively soon, likely somewhere in the same area.”

On the weekends, you can find Ciampo exploring her new metro area or taking in a baseball game.

Selfie of Megan Ciampo and another woman

 

“I try to go to any craft fairs or festivals within driving distance,” she said. “I’ve been to a few, including Buffalo Days in Luverne, Quarry Days in Dell Rapids, Harrisburg Days, Riverboat Days in Yankton, Saturday in the Park in Tea and Junkstock in Omaha.”

2024 has been a big year for Ciampo, who turns 30 soon.

A highlight was participating in the latest cohort of EmBe’s Women’s Leadership Program.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but it’s been a great learning experience for me, and I’m really looking forward to continuing to implement the things I’ve learned into my day-to-day work and personal life.”

This month, Ciampo looked back on one of the most impactful days and years of her life: Sept. 11, 2001.

She was 6 years old “when the world stopped turning” and her dad, a firefighter, responded to a call from the World Trade Center.

Firefighter poses in front of fire truck

This marked the first year in the past 23 that she didn’t spend Sept. 11 at home with family. Instead, she gave those in her new home a powerful glimpse into the day’s lasting impact.

A second grader, she remembers being picked up on an unseasonably warm, bright day during recess at school.

“We all thought we were being pulled out early to go to an amusement park or somewhere fun,” she said.

“The next few weeks were a blur, but I remember my mom always had our portable house phone in her hand or within eyesight, waiting for a phone call that thankfully never came.”

two fire fighters

Her father finally came home Sept. 22, 2001 — his 40th birthday.

“I remember being so excited to see him. Only recently did I look at the photos from that day and realize that his eyes are hollow and blank,” she said. “Like any good father would, he didn’t let his 6- and 9-year-old daughters catch on that he had just spent 11 days around death and destruction. He spent the day with us, thanked us for his gifts, probably let us stay awake longer than we should have, and then he went back to New York City and back to recovering victims from ‘the pile.’”

FDNY Fire Truck

Sharing her story was a way “to honor the day and share a piece of what the day means with my co-workers and the Sioux Falls community,” Ciampo said.

FDNY fire fighter stands in front of fire truck

Twenty-three years later, more than 11,000 members of the FDNY are experiencing some kind of World Trade Center illness. Out of that, more than 3,500 are suffering with a form of cancer.

“A year ago, my dad became one of the 3,500 after being diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from that Tuesday morning in 2001 and years of exposure afterwards,” she said. “Last year, instead of spending the day at memorial services, he spent Sept. 11 in a full day of radiation and chemotherapy.”

patient rings bell along with medical workers in scrubs

Read Ciampo’s full message on her personal blog.

“I really wanted to just drive home that this was an event that happened to real people and real families, and it wasn’t a one-day event. It’s been 23 years, and my family, and so many other families, are still feeling the impacts every day.”

Being away from family isn’t easy, she added. Ciampo relies on FaceTime and flies home frequently.

Megan Ciampo with her family in New York

Ciampo with her family in New York

But she’s increasingly at home in Sioux Falls too.

“The people have been so welcoming and kind. It’s also been so fun to see how quickly the city is growing,” she said.

Ciampo’s story is a powerful example of how young professionals are connecting in the Sioux Falls community, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

“We couldn’t be happier to see how Megan is finding personal growth and professional opportunities in Sioux Falls,” Guzzetta said. “Her family’s legacy of service is something that is resonating in Sioux Falls and will even more so as people learn her background and experience. She’s exactly the sort of person we need bringing her talent and life experience to Sioux Falls as our community grows.”

For Ciampo, “I’m excited to see how that continues and am excited to have it as part of my story,” she said. “I have absolutely no idea what to expect in the next few years because I couldn’t have predicted the last few years!”

To learn more about making Sioux Falls part of your story, email deniseg@siouxfalls.com.

From Coyotes QB to USD Foundation CEO, leader to share insight on building workplace culture

If you want a unique perspective on leadership, ask a quarterback.

For football player turned USD Foundation president and CEO Noah Shepard, life on and off the field has provided valuable insight into leading teams and fostering culture.

Noah Shepard playing football

Shepard, a Colorado native, first stepped into South Dakota for a recruiting visit at USD, which led to four years as the Coyotes’ quarterback and a first job playing football professionally after graduation in 2010. He briefly joined the Green Bay Packers before playing in the Canadian Football League.

Noah Shepard playing football

Shepard returned to his alma mater in 2021 as a campaign director for the USD Foundation, before being promoted to vice president of development in 2022 and assuming the role of president and CEO earlier this year.

In between, his career took him to Molson Coors in Colorado, where he helped lead a team during a major beverage industry merger, and to Amazon, where he served in management roles during company growth spurts.

“Along the way I gained different perspectives on business from really smart folks and had great mentors,” he said. “I was fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to work through these growth periods, but my heart has always been here since I left.”

His wife, Abby, is a South Dakota native and USD graduate, and they were eager to raise their three kids here.

“I’m forever grateful for what USD has done for my wife and myself,” Shepard said. “When they reached out to see if I wanted to come back, I said there really wasn’t anything to negotiate because I wanted to be here.”

Shepard will be one of four panelists sharing perspectives on the topic “Microcultures Matter: Tailoring work environments for employee success” at the seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit, presented by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The popular event will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Click here to learn more and register.

Other panelists include:

  • Brooke Fitts, First International Bank & Trust
  • Karla Santi, Blend Interactive
  • Natasha Smith, Sanford Health

The discussion will explore how strategic development of micro cultures can revolutionize talent attraction, development and retention.

“Culture gets thrown around a lot and means different things in different organizations,” Shepard said. “I’ve experienced companies that did a really good job of defining that and instilling pieces of it in their core values.”

Noah Shepard headshot

While at one point he was a young leader managing people twice his age, “I think if you instill those principles, those core values, you can really start to make some headway,” he said. “But understanding your audience and how it needs to be delivered in an appropriate fashion to sink in is something you have to be in tune with.”

Successful companies also give leaders creative freedom to build micro-cultures, he said.

USD Foundation and Alumni Association

Shepard with his team at the USD Foundation.

“As a former athlete, everything for me revolves around winning and how we define if we’re winning,” he said. “You don’t have to win every day, but you have to understand where you’re at in the current state and how we continually grow. If you instill a culture and mindset that focuses on continually getting 1 percent better, you can look back and be extremely proud of what you accomplished.”

He now leads a team of about three dozen people and is putting that philosophy into practice.

“We’re reinvigorating with a new and fresh approach and doing it in a way in which everyone in the organization knows what it takes to win at their levels and how their role plays into the greater good,” he said.

Note: Sessions at the WIN in Workforce Summit are eligible for nine SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

If you have questions, email deniseg@siouxfalls.com. Click here to learn more and register.

Here’s a look at the full agenda.

WIN in Workforce Summit Schedule

Avera McKennan CEO talks reskilling revolution: Empowering employees for jobs of tomorrow

Think about 10, 20 or 50 years ago, and the health care field looked powerfully different.

The ways health care professionals diagnosed and treated patients were more limited, and as medicine has evolved, those working in the field have had to up-skill too.

“Simply considering the evolution of medicine and the resources we use to care for our communities, having a continuous learning and growth mindset is vital in our success,” said Dr. Ron Place, CEO of Avera McKennan, who leads a team of more than 8,200 employees.

“This often means learning to use new tools, techniques or approaches so that we can continue to stay on the cutting edge of care delivery.”

Place will be one of four panelists sharing perspective on the topic at the seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit, presented by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The popular event will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Click here to learn more and register.

Place will be joined by:

  • Derek DeGeest, DeGeest Manufacturing.
  • Devin McGrew, C&B Operations.
  • Anna Jankord, Viaflex.

The panel will take a deep dive into the need to up-skill employees for the future, exploring innovative approaches, personalized learning pathways and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

We sat down with Place for a preview of how his organization is addressing the topic.

Dr. Ron Place, CEO of Avera McKennan

How is Avera McKennan specifically addressing reskilling employees? Are you offering additional or ongoing training, or what does that look like in real time?

One item that comes to mind is our virtual communication and virtual care delivery. This requires a significant shift for those used to being physically in the same space as their colleague, care provider or patient. It’s a big shift for some folks to navigate, requiring new skills, but has proven to be very beneficial, particularly in rural areas.

employee monitoring computer

At Avera, our virtual nurses are working in a new care environment, and they’re often “floating” to a variety of care units, rather than a dedicated home unit they may have historically worked in. These nurses are supporting their colleagues at the bedside with really vital tasks like medication verification, documentation and more.

Our transfer center is another area we’re shifting some crucial duties, allowing our referring physicians to devote more time to patient care while our transfer center team is able to serve as the lead communicator and facilitate appropriate transfers between specialties and facilities.

Along with positions requiring specific skills, leaders also need to evolve and enhance their abilities, especially as they are leading a growing organization or find their roles are changing. How are you developing those skills in leaders internally?

Avera has multiple leadership and mission development programs aimed at setting employees and leaders up for future growth and success. Leadership is a skill to be mastered – and giving leaders opportunities in our organization to practice those skills is important. And I think that it’s important for leaders to have their own leadership philosophy, that they write it down so it becomes “real” and they update it as they mature as leaders. We recently held a leadership discussion where I shared leadership lessons in the context of some of my favorite leadership books. Having a full auditorium of leaders show up, ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue shows just how significant and hungry our leaders are for these opportunities.

How are you partnering with area educational institutions or other trainers to reskill within Avera?

Educational partners are critically important to Avera, and we’re being much more intentional about forming strategic partnerships that develop future workforce. The most recent examples:

  • Developed in partnership with Avera Behavioral Health, Southeast Technical College launched a new behavioral and mental health technician associate degree program in the spring of 2024, with scholarship opportunities available. As mental health techs are in high demand in the inpatient setting, this program was very much needed.
  • In an effort to support health sciences and future workforce building, Avera gifted its property at 33rd Street and Minnesota Avenue to South Dakota State University to provide them with a permanent home for its Sioux Falls-based programs in nursing and pharmacy.
  • Mount Marty University in collaboration with Avera launched a new graduate certificate in endocrinology for nurse practitioners, one of two in the United States and the only one offered in the Midwest. The hope is to enhance access to high-quality diabetes care in rural areas.
  • The Avera Academy is a nine-month collaboration between Avera McKennan, Southeast Tech and the Sioux Falls School District. Each year, 24 students interested in the field of health care enter the program from local high schools and visit facilities and departments all across Sioux Falls to see the wide range of career opportunities at Avera. The program has proven to be a great pathway into the field as 96 percent of students who have participated in the program have furthered their education in health care.

Dr. Ron Place, CEO of Avera McKennan, talks with staff

Avera McKennan is a large organization with significant resources, but do you have any advice for smaller organizations that also see a need to reskill their teams? Are there some things you do that might be replicable on a smaller scale?

Fostering an environment of leadership development and lifelong learning is something any organization can do if it truly matters to them. But it has to matter as staff quickly figure it out if it’s not really a priority. In addition, finding, reading and discussing leadership books is something that any organization can do. Being open and receptive to feedback is also important – and we can often find opportunities for growth and improvement when we truly listen.

You spoke at last year’s WIN in Workforce Summit. What were your takeaways from that event, and what value did you find in it?

Having recently relocated back to the area, I was surprised at just how big the event was and how hungry the community was for information. From the sheer number, depth and breadth of conversations to the panelists’ expertise and top-notch, plentiful questions, my expectations were wildly exceeded.

Note: Sessions at the WIN in Workforce Summit are eligible for nine SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

If you have questions, email deniseg@siouxfalls.com. Click here to learn more and register.

Here’s a look at the full agenda.

WIN in Workforce Summit Schedule

Get to know your future workforce — and their influencers — at upcoming summit

A new generation is entering the workforce, bringing with it unique influences.

SDSU basketball coach Eric Henderson sees that firsthand on campus and on the court in Brookings.

Eric Henderson coaching SDSU men's basketball team

Henderson will be one of four panelists sharing perspectives on the topic at the seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit, presented by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The popular event will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Click here to learn more and register.

Henderson will be joined by Jerry Olszewski, head football coach at Augustana University, in addition to three high school and college students.

We caught up with Henderson to learn more about the generation that he leads and that others are welcoming into the workplace.

Eric Henderson headshot

You work continually with students in Gen Z. What are some of the attributes that stand out?

The first attribute that stands out to me is the instant feedback. They’re so used to having things come to them quickly. Whether it’s their phone, the computer, the social media piece of it, they want that instant feedback, that instant gratification. So I think being able to do that for our student-athletes is really, really important, to talk about and evaluate and help instantly. And making sure they’re aware instantly is something that they can really relate to.

And then going back to the social media thing is making them feel valued. And because, OK, they’re going to post something on social media. They’re looking at how many likes they get, how many responses they get, and that can make them feel good. And so I think giving them value and making sure they understand where they stand, how you feel. And if you can do that in a positive way, it can be very, very beneficial and very helpful for your organization or for our team.

What approaches have you found that are helpful in motivating or coaching in this generation?

I think just trying to be super-positive, trying to talk about the good things that they’re doing first and then bringing up the things that they can really improve on. I think there’s so much negativity in the world. I think trying to be different, trying to make sure they understand that, hey, they have some great qualities. They have great things that they’re doing already. And then making sure you point them out. And then going into the areas of, hey, how can we get better? What are the areas that we can get better? Awesome.

Eric Henderson coaching SDSU men's basketball team

I think having purpose and showing purpose is key. We use our circle emblem with our five character traits that are non-negotiable. And I think it translates to the workforce when you build that culture, and it doesn’t necessarily matter what the values are or what those keywords are. But just having some and staying true to them I think can keep things simple and keep things going forward in the right direction. And so that’s what we’ve used. And I think it’s helped our young people, our players, not only have success while they’re here, but when they leave here, they’re able to adapt, they’re able to join a community, join an organization and be successful.

Who do you find that this generation looks to as their influencers, and why?

They probably look to their peers more than we ever had. I think generations like mine or before me, it was presidents, it was teachers, it was coaches, and I do think there’s still some of that. We are able to have influence and positive influences on young people. But I think it’s a lot broader now for the new generation. I think they’re looking at their peers and what are they doing and trying to be like them. And the social media piece where you have the influencers on, where they want to look like them, they want to do things like them. Even though there’s those influencers, how much reality is really there through the internet, through social media, and how much they can make things look different than they actually are.

As your athletes transition from players to workers, do you have any advice for employers when it comes to leading them?

I think just making sure they understand that they’re not going to be perfect. And just helping them through tough times and trying to do that in a positive way because we’ve all made mistakes. They make mistakes, and how we respond to those mistakes, and it is really how you can find success. And so I think just being understanding of that, understanding of the emotions. I think the emotions of young people now are probably as a wide array of emotions that they’re going to have as they ever have been. It’s OK more now today to show your emotions than it ever has been. And I think when I was there, you just kind of just ignored the tough times and ignored the bad feelings, and nobody ever brought them up. And I think being aware that it’s OK to bring them up now, more people are more comfortable to do that. I think it’s probably something that I would give them.

Eric Henderson holds cut-down net at Summit League tournament

As you keep in touch with former players, now alumni, are there any themes that stand out in terms of why they make their career and employment decisions? What’s maybe drawing them to certain employers, keeping them there or making them want to change course?

Being a team sport coach, I think that culture that organizations, businesses, teams, wherever our players are going, I think I always get the feedback of, well, this organization is kind of run like our team or this organization is not run like our team. It’s very disconnected, and our athletes are very team-oriented people. And so it seems like when they’re having a much better experience, when there’s a culture of togetherness, a culture of community because that’s what they’ve been used to. And so I think that’s the feedback that I’m getting from our former athletes whether they’re playing professionally overseas and trying to make a living doing that or they’re going into the business world. And they’re working for a company that whether they have it or they don’t have it, they know what a healthy culture should look like.

Note: Sessions at the WIN in Workforce Summit are eligible for nine SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

If you have questions, email deniseg@siouxfalls.com. Click here to learn more and register.

Here’s a look at the full agenda.

Win in Workforce Summit Schedule

Workforce conference to highlight empathy-driven leadership for high-performing teams

Leaders who bring empathy to their work help create stronger teams.

But how do you go about cultivating empathy and leading with it?

Jennifer Schmidtbauer is passionate about answering that question. With more than 25 years of experience supporting people in publicly traded companies, nonprofits and government organizations, she’s now an owner at Crestcom, a talent development organization that focuses on sustained behavior change using a process that incorporates accountability and ROI measurement.

“It’s a proven approach for helping managers grow their leadership confidence and competency, so I was excited to become a Crestcom business owner in 2023,” she said.

“After many years as a formal leader myself at different professional levels in different types of organizations, I had a strong desire to leverage that experience in helping other leaders grow their management and leadership skills. Through Crestcom, I’m now able to assist companies across South Dakota in elevating team performance for achieving business results.”

Schmidtbauer will be sharing perspectives at the seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit, presented by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The popular event will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Click here to learn more and register.

Schmidtbauer will be joined in her session by Robyn Ewalt, a consultant with Avera Health.

We caught up with Schmidtbauer to learn more about the leadership perspective she’s bringing to the WIN Summit.

The topic of your session is “Empathy-Driven Leadership for High-Performing Teams.” What does empathy-driven leadership actually look like to you?

In business, the job of leadership is to deliver results through your team – teams which are made of people! Empathy-driven leadership is full recognition of this humanity. Our workplaces are much more than simply places of transaction, exchanging wages for labor. Empathy-driven leadership recognizes and prioritizes the various motivators and needs we have as humans – to support and encourage people in achieving company goals. Empathetic leadership is characterized by the quality of relationships. When I see a leader who has high-trust, meaningful connections with colleagues, who expresses genuine concern for others and is responsive to them, I know they are leading with empathy.

Is empathy a skill that can be learned? If so, how do you suggest helping leaders train for it?

Yes! While research has shown the capacity of our cognitive intelligence is difficult to expand upon after age 25, our emotional intelligence has ongoing opportunity for growth! Empathy is a component of EI. It’s aided by self- and social awareness and choosing to manage our behaviors for optimal relationship outcomes. There are several ways to “train” for it, but it begins with recognizing our own emotions, as well as how others might be feeling. You use that knowledge to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and connect meaningfully through listening and nonjudgmental responses. It’s not easy for a lot of us at first, but with practice, it becomes more natural. Empathy asks us to focus our attention on others, resisting the demands of our own ego and impulses.

What are the benefits of empathy-driven leadership for organizations?

We’ve heard the platinum rule is “treat others the way they want to be treated,” and empathetic leadership is about adapting your leadership style to the needs of your team – how you can best support them in the ways they find most motivating. If you go back to “the job” of leadership – achieving results through teams – then the best way to inspire the outcomes you need is to have each person working from a place of personal purpose and fulfillment. When a leader is able to help someone tie their personal success to the company’s success, you have a highly accountable and engaged organization. This is what empathetic leadership can create!

What would you say to leaders who, for whatever reason, see empathy as a potential sign of weakness?

I’d first have a conversation about what empathy is as perhaps it’s being misunderstood. Empathy is not about being “soft” or “not strong,” and it doesn’t neglect the need for accountability. It’s more about acknowledging that people aren’t machines, and if you value productivity, it’s important to set people up for success. Peter Drucker once wrote that it’s much easier to engineer technology than it is to engineer people. Emotions are part of the human software, and we can’t ignore the impact they have on us all day long. If a leader isn’t comfortable with empathy but is willing to learn for their own growth and advancement of their team, there are plenty of great coaches, courses and resources out there to help. The most successful companies are investing in empathetic leadership, and if your organization wants to be competitive, it’s a skill that can’t be ignored.

Formal leadership is a tough job, and it’s a never-ending growth journey. Leaders: Have some empathy for yourself as you navigate your role, and seek out support and perspective from other leaders. WIN will be a great place to do that!

What other “soft skill”-type qualities do you see today’s talent seeking in their leaders?

Many of these qualities are extensions of empathetic leadership. People desire leaders that demonstrate active listening, act on feedback, promote unity and collaboration, acknowledge hard work and who are both personally accountable and able to hold others accountable. All of these attributes require a genuine interest in team members’ lives and challenges at work and understanding their point of view. I see these qualities being in alignment with the work-life balance expectation people have of their employers as well.

Note: Sessions at the WIN in Workforce Summit are eligible for nine SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

If you have questions, email deniseg@siouxfalls.com. Click here to learn more and register.

Here’s a look at the full agenda:

Win in Workforce Summit Schedule

This summit will explore the ‘great reset’ in the workforce

Written by Sioux Falls Simplified and originally published on sfsimplified.com.

Simplified: The seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit will give attendees space to discuss what people are looking for in a post-pandemic workplace, the future of hybrid work, and how creating company culture is intentional.

Why it matters

  • The Sioux Falls Development Foundation hosts the WIN in Workforce Summit each year as a way to bring the business community together to talk about the different roles everyone plays in not only workforce but also in economic development.
  • This year’s theme is “The Great Reset,” with the goal of looking at how coronavirus changed the workforce, as well as what the future of work looks like now that the pandemic is in the rear view mirror, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce for the Foundation.
  • The summit will also focus on the importance of empathy-driven leadership, up-skilling the workforce and the importance of creating a work culture that fosters emotional connections.

“We know that we can’t take things for granted,” Guzzetta said. “People are bringing their entire selves into work, and we also know people want to work for organizations that provide meaningful work where they can make an impact.”

Tell me more about the summit

The summit will take place Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Keynote speaker Ben Utecht will kick off the event with a talk entitled, “Believe in Culture.” Utecht is a former football player and Super Bowl Champion who transitioned to the corporate world as Chief Culture Officer for True North Private Equity.

  • Utecht will talk about how culture is intentional, and it’s something companies can invest in, make changes and solve.

In addition to the keynote, the summit will feature six different breakout sessions, with topics ranging from leadership styles to hybrid work to the “re-skilling revolution.”

You can see a full schedule of events here:

Win in Workforce Summit Schedule

What’s new this year?

This year’s summit will include a “Meet your future workforce” panel featuring workers who are 20 years old and younger.

“This new generation, they’re very boots-on-the-ground, very pragmatic,” Guzzetta said.

The event will also include a lunchtime talk about a day in the life of a remote worker and what it’s really like to manage working from home full-time.

Additionally, the summit will close out with a session discussing artificial intelligence. Attendees will hear from experts offering different perspectives on AI, from a legislative standpoint to a legal standpoint to employers to users.

How to get tickets

You can get tickets here for the one-day summit, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

From Florida to West Virginia to Sioux Falls: Corporate move proves fit for manager and her dog

Run into Devin McGrew in downtown Sioux Falls, on the recreation trail or in a nearby state park and chances are her German shepherd, Cash, will be alongside her.

“Sioux Falls, for the size it is, is one of the most dog-friendly areas I’ve been in,” said McGrew, who moved to town at the end of 2023.

Devin McGrew walking dog in Downtown Sioux Falls

“We are out and about almost every weekend — we hit up one of the parks, or we’re downtown. He was previously a little country dog and wasn’t used to being around people, so we’re doing socialization, and he’s in day care a couple days a week. I like to bring him downtown, and they have water bowls and dog treats at businesses everywhere. They’re so dog-friendly.”

The community’s friendliness quickly has allowed both Cash and his dog mom to feel at home.

McGrew moved to Sioux Falls following a year in West Virginia and before that spent a decade in Florida. A new regional human resources role for C&B Operations drove her moves, and she’s now ready to move with her leadership colleagues into the company’s new downtown office at The Steel District.

Devin McGrew with C&B co-workers in Downtown Sioux Falls

“They encouraged everyone who is a director and above to move to Sioux Falls,” she said. “Prior to taking the role, I’d never given South Dakota a second thought.”

But her first week at work in 2023 brought a trip to Sioux Falls with it, followed by multiple additional work travel opportunities to the city.

“Working with this team is just phenomenal. They’re amazing,” she said. “And you have this nice city, but then it’s also like little small-town America, which is so fun for me. I would tell people to come visit. Once you visit Sioux Falls, it opens your eyes to so many things available here.”

After browsing homes to rent, she found one she liked on the far west side closer to Tea.

“I’ll probably end up buying within the next year,” she said. “I wanted to get to know the area. I love downtown, but Cash really enjoys a big yard, so I’ll probably stick with a house so he has that.”

Devin McGrew with dog in Downtown Sioux Falls

She appreciates that despite living on the edge of the city, it’s about a 15-minute commute to her job downtown.

“Everything is so walkable downtown,” she added. “You have the river, and it’s just so cool because the cost of living compared to where I came from is very comparable, but you get so many more amenities here.”

Her new office, which will open this fall, will be directly adjacent to Falls Park and the recreation trail.

“I’m so excited for it,” she said. “We did a tour recently, and it’s absolutely gorgeous inside. It’s going to be unreal. We’ll have outdoor lunch space, which is so nice when you’re in an office all day, plus we’ll be able to easily go outside and walk.”

The new C&B office joins many other business expansions in various industries offering outstanding opportunities for newcomers to Sioux Falls, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

“Corporate relocations are a big reason why people move to Sioux Falls, and Devin’s experience is an amazing example of what you’ll find here,” she said. “You’re going to find forward-looking employers who understand the environment employees are looking for, combined with a community where you’ll be able to afford and enjoy a fantastic lifestyle.”

Plus, “there’s the added bonus of no state income taxes, so you get a little bump in your paycheck if you relocate to South Dakota,” McGrew added. “So that’s always a plus for people.”

As she settles into the community, in addition to spending time with her dog outdoors, McGrew has been enjoying Siouxland Libraries.

Devin McGrew with dog in Downtown Sioux Falls

“I love to read, and I’ve done some of their activities, which is nice because I love to support libraries,” she said. “The ease of use is great with an app, and the interactions I’ve had with everyone have been wonderful. I did an art activity that was totally free, all the supplies were there, and we painted little floral planters, and it was a good way to make connections in the community.”

Most importantly, she has felt welcome here, McGrew added.

“It’s stood out to me how nice and friendly everyone is,” she said. “I’m a single person, and I was trying to lift chairs into my car at Walmart, and someone right away came up to help. I know a lot of people talk about Southern charm, but this is bar none.”

Are you ready to make your next work-life move to Sioux Falls? Email deniseg@siouxfalls.com to get connected.

From Super Bowl champ to chief culture officer, keynote speaker at Sioux Falls workforce conference previews message

Among the many lessons Ben Utecht took away from his NFL career, this one has formed his future:

“If you build better men, you get better football players.”

Utecht learned and lived that mantra thanks to his Indianapolis Colts Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, “the first to win a Super Bowl based on servant leadership,” he said.

“He was probably the most authentic and consistent leader I’ve ever been around. What you see is what you get. People want to be led by him because they can trust that his moral and ethical and corporate self is consistent and scalable.”

Utecht now leverages those and other life experiences in his role as chief culture officer at True North Equity Partners, based in his home state of Minnesota but with multiple business interests in the Sioux Falls area. Its portfolio spans 28 companies across five industries and includes ownership of the Sioux Falls Canaries.

“I always joke in keynotes that in my last career, my job was to hit people first, and now my job is to care about people first,” he said.

“In a company as leaders, you realize you have the opportunity to transform every single person that walks through the door in a way such that they go home a better person. How inspiring is that? If we put the time and intentionality into our culture, not only can we increase revenue but we can improve our people, and they might become better partners and parents and friends because of their work experience.”

He’ll share that message with attendees at the seventh annual WIN in Workforce Summit, presented by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. The popular event will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Click here to learn more and register.

Entrance to WIN in Workforce Summit

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ben Utecht as this year’s keynote speaker,” said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development. “His message empowers organizations to design, deploy and direct culture strategies that not only boost the bottom line but also inspire and uplift employees.”

WIN in Workforce itself is an all-day opportunity “to share best practices in talent and workforce development, network with experts and gain valuable insights that will help you and your business excel,” she added.

Breakout sessions will be structured around talent attraction, retention and current issues contributing to the workforce development field:

  • Engage and hear from leaders transforming our region and workforce landscapes.
  • Find out how technology is transforming the way and how people work.
  • Learn the new playbook for employee retention in the global and diverse workplace.
  • Hear from CEOs and seasoned business leaders about where and how they are investing in the workforce to develop and strengthen their organizations.

Beyond the business world, Utecht’s philanthropic focus lies in concussion awareness — a cause close to his heart because of a career-ending brain injury. His journey, chronicled in his book, “Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away,” sheds light on memory, relevance and resilience.

Ben Utecht Headshot

As an award-nominated singer, his talents extend beyond business — performing for presidents to serenading Muhammad Ali.

At WIN in Workforce, he describes his message as “The Champion’s Creed,” a creed being a set of beliefs that guide behaviors and actions.

“The mission is how to build high-performing, championship culture within your organization built on the practice of an objective value and belief system,” he explained. “My goal is not just to be an inspirational speaker but to help businesses understand culture more objectively and, more importantly, how to practice culture and develop their people to help achieve their business goals.”

Attendees will leave with practical, actionable advice for incorporating culture into hiring, onboarding, training, talent development and employee engagement, he said.

Crowd at WIN in Workforce Summit 2023

“How are you hiring toward your culture and then developing team members toward the beliefs of the organization and holding them accountable?” he said. “And then as leaders, you also want to be listening and learning from employees because they are going to be honest and tell you what your culture needs are.”

Utecht also will be sharing insight with high school students attending the event as part of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s Career Connections program.

“Where I think this is great for high school listeners is that it should inspire emotional intelligence development,” Utecht said. “We’re talking about things in an inspirational way that provides clarity for them to begin thinking about their strategic plan for life. Decisions about college or what to study are connected to their belief system, so my hope is that there’s crossover in how you create culture and strategy in business and how you can apply that individually in your life.”

Note: Sessions at the WIN in Workforce Summit are eligible for nine SHRM and HRCI recertification credits. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

If you have questions, email deniseg@siouxfalls.com. Click here to learn more and register.

Here’s a look at the full agenda:

WIN in Workforce Summit 2024 Agenda

From Arizona to Sioux Falls, dispatcher becomes police officer through new cadet program

Despite serving as a 911 dispatcher, Megan Matthews’ own family was living in what she considered one of the most dangerous communities in Arizona.

Then she moved to Sioux Falls three years ago.

“We were looking for something more family-friendly, and South Dakota is beautiful, good laws, good communities, and we picked South Dakota,” she said.

Then she decided to pursue a career on the other end of the emergency calls.

Megan Matthews trains in the Career Cadets program

“It’s the biggest police department in the state, so you would expect it to feel like a big department, but it doesn’t,” she said. “Everybody is super-friendly, everybody is super-helpful, everybody knows each other.”

From her first training, Matthews has felt the community’s support too. She’s one of the first members of the new Career Cadets program, a partnership of Southeast Technical College, the city of Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation/Forward Sioux Falls.

“It’s really a collaboration, a partnership and a true testament to what a community needs to do in order to look at a problem and come up with solutions,” said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Megan Matthews trains in the Career Cadets program

The immersive Sioux Falls Police Department Career Cadets program blends a part-time job in the department with relevant education at Southeast Tech and mentorship.

“You just learn so much,” Matthews said.

Now, she’s ready to graduate. To learn more about the program and her path forward, click below.

Sioux Falls Police Department’s Career Cadet Program

Your Future STEM Summer Day Camps at Augustana University

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation will host its second annual “Your Future STEM Summer Day Camps” at Augustana University on June 26 and 27.

The Your Future STEM Summer Day Camps will welcome over 200 middle school students on campus for an immersive, project-based learning experience. Under the guidance of experienced educators and industry professionals, the students will delve into various fields, including biology, computer science, construction, engineering, healthcare, and manufacturing.

These camps, a part of the popular Your Future STEM project-based programming series specifically designed for middle school students, enhance their awareness of high-paying, high-skilled STEM-related careers that are crucial to the overall health of the Sioux Falls economy and region.

Since 2019, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, a key player in the region, has forged partnerships with 16 regional school districts to bolster STEM awareness. This initiative supports the burgeoning employment needs in healthcare, computer and management occupations, financial services, and construction sectors, all of which are experiencing double-digit growth.

Denise Guzzetta, the Vice President of Talent and Workforce for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, emphasizes the importance of STEM jobs in our economy. She states, “STEM jobs are here to stay. They play a vital role in our economy today and will continue to be important into the future due to high growth and the need to replace retiring workers.”

INTERN Sioux Falls: A Summer of Growth and Exploration

The INTERN Sioux Falls program is back for its second summer, offering a unique opportunity for interns in Sioux Falls. From June 4 to July 31, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation will host six events designed to immerse interns in the vibrant Sioux Falls community and showcase the exciting opportunities awaiting them.

These meticulously planned events facilitate networking among interns and their peers from various employers across the Sioux Falls community.

The program kicked off on June 4 with a “Lunch & Learn with YPN” event, which aimed to foster peer connections and provide information about diverse opportunities available to young professionals.

On June 13, in partnership with the Sioux Empire United Way, the INTERN Sioux Falls team demonstrated the community’s philanthropic spirit. Interns assembled 200 hygiene bags for the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, making a tangible difference in the lives of Sioux Falls residents.

The INTERN Sioux Falls team will host a private networking event for interns at the Birdcage on June 18, during which they can cheer on the Sioux Falls Canaries.

On July 9, interns will have the opportunity to explore downtown Sioux Falls through a scavenger hunt, leading them to various landmarks, businesses, and locations.

July 17 will feature a networking lunch at Startup Sioux Falls, where interns can learn about business resources available to entrepreneurs from the Startup Sioux Falls team. They will also have the opportunity to learn how to best utilize LinkedIn and receive a free professional headshot.

The summer program will culminate on July 23 with a grand event at the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. This event will bring together all interns and business professionals to celebrate the successful completion of the summer internships.

The INTERN Sioux Falls program is more than just a summer internship; it’s a journey of exploration, growth, and community immersion. Through a diverse range of events and experiences, interns gain valuable professional insights and forge lasting connections and memories that will stay with them long after the summer sun sets over the plains of South Dakota.

To learn more about the INTERN Sioux Falls program, click here.

Superbowl Champion Turned Culture Advocate Leads WIN in Workforce Summit 2024 on September 24, 2024

We are excited to announce that Ben Utecht, former NFL player turned award-winning songwriter and culture advocate, will be the keynote speaker at the WIN in Workforce Summit 2024 on September 24, 2024, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Utecht’s journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. From a successful career in the NFL, including a Super Bowl victory with the Indianapolis Colts, to a life-altering brain injury, Utecht’s story is one of overcoming adversity. This unique opportunity to learn from his journey, at the WIN in Workforce Summit 2024, is sure to inspire and motivate all attendees.

Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Utecht channeled his passion into music, becoming an award-winning songwriter and culture advocate. His songs have touched many hearts and have earned him recognition in the music industry.

Utecht’s influence extends beyond his music career. He has become a beacon of hope, advocating for a positive and inclusive culture in the workplace. His keynote, Believe in Culture, at the WIN in Workforce Summit 2024, will ignite a sense of optimism and possibility in all attendees, showing the power of culture in driving organizational success.

For more information on WIN in Workforce, click here.

Tickets for the event are now available for both individuals and groups. We encourage early booking to secure your spot and take part in this unique opportunity to learn from one of the most influential figures in team dynamics and leadership.

Join us at the WIN in Workforce Summit 2024 for an enlightening experience that promises to reshape how you view your workforce. Secure your tickets today and mark your calendar for an event you won’t want to miss!

Talent Thursday with Chelsea Limoges of USD Beacom School of Business

Talent Thursday is a weekly social media livestream event that spotlights talent and workforce in the Sioux Falls area by sharing the stories of young professionals in our community.

For Thursday, June 6, 2024, we caught up with Chelsea Limoges, who is the Director of Industry Engagement for Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota. She shared about the Coyote Business Consulting program and the benefits for both students and businesses.

Talent Thursday is held weekly on Thursdays at 3 p.m. CT on the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s Facebook page. Follow here: https://www.facebook.com/developsf

Talent Thursday

POWERED BY:

Forward Sioux Falls is a unique, innovative program designed to grow and improve the Sioux Falls region. Created through a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, we work to outline strategic initiatives to grow jobs, businesses and quality of life.

Talent Thursday with Jacob McKeever of U.S. AutoForce

Talent Thursday is a weekly social media livestream event that spotlights talent and workforce in the Sioux Falls area by sharing the stories of young professionals in our community.

For Thursday, May 30, 2024, we caught up with Jacob McKeever, Talent Acquisition Manager with U.S. AutoForce! He shares about the types of positions that are available within the company’s Sioux Falls warehouse, and what types of benefits and culture prospective employees can expect.

Talent Thursday is held weekly on Thursdays at 3 p.m. CT on the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s Facebook page. Follow here: https://www.facebook.com/developsf

Talent Thursday

POWERED BY:

Forward Sioux Falls is a unique, innovative program designed to grow and improve the Sioux Falls region. Created through a joint venture between the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, we work to outline strategic initiatives to grow jobs, businesses and quality of life.