Since its founding in 1984, Leadership Siouxland has held on to its mission of developing diverse, passionate leaders who positively shape our community for today and tomorrow. On May 2nd, thirty-seven individuals graduated from the nine-month program and joined the ranks of approximately 1200 alumni.
This year’s graduates (and the company that sponsored them) are:
Lexa Almond, FEH Design
Marshall Bass, Ho-Chunk Capital
Mindy Bishop, MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center
Madyson Bixby, Wells Enterprises Inc.
Jessica Bohlken, Wells Enterprises Inc.
Lindsey Butler, Boys and Girls Club of Siouxland
Cory Cleveland, Ho-Chunk Farms
Sara Dunham, Wells Enterprises Inc.
Brandon East, 185th ANG
Ariel Erickson, Thrivent Financial
Sarah Fell, Great West Casualty
Dante Frattini, WITCC
Steven Garcia, WITCC
Sheila Gerke, Jebro Inc
Kyle Geveshausen, Wells Enterprises Inc
Corey Claude, Great West Casualty
Christy Hartman, Wells Enterprises Inc
Kristen Heimgartner, Explore Sioux City
Diego Hernandez, URES
Janna Hookstra, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
Matthew Kempers, Great West Casualty
Cori Koopman, NECC
Curtis Kull, Sky Ranch Behavioral Services
Bianca Mendez Garza, Sweet Water Café
Justin Odell, 185th ANG
Annette Olson, self-sponsored
Rachael Peck, Sky Ranch Behavioral Services
Theresa Pederson, Empirical Technology Inc
Bradley Rawson, self-sponsored
Rachelle Rawson, self-sponsored
Theresa Raymond, Great Southern Bank
Jaecy Reardon, Wells Enterprises Inc
Angela Rogers, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
Austin Sasse, Wells Enterprises Inc
Lisa Schnepf, Wells Enterprises Inc
Sarah Sitzman, Opportunities Unlimited
Aaron Tyler, KW Real Estate
As part of the program, the class was divided into six teams that partnered with six different mission-driven organizations to complete a project. The positive impact on our community from these great projects is remarkable! The six teams partnered with FOTAS (Friends of the Animal Shelters) and created a calendar; Hope Center and facilitated donations of food through an orange bag program; Unity in the Community and hosted an event to bring youth and law enforcement together; CAASA (Centers Against Abuse and Sexual Assault) and created volunteer recruitment cards; Hope Street (a sober living home) and provided two events to teach the residents basic maintenance and lawn care skills; and Siouxland Soup Kitchen, facilitating a contest between the SC Police and Fire Departments to garner food donations.
The graduates were unanimous in expressing gratitude for their participation in the 9-month program which helped them enhance their leadership skills and find their passion for making a positive difference in Siouxland. Applications are accepted until August 31 for the 2024 – 2025 program – contact the executive director at exdir@ leadershipsiouxland.org for more information!
By Peggy Smith
