Professional Development

Join us for an Seat at the Table event this March featuring Christy Vastenhout. Christy has been part of McCrossan Boys Ranch since 2002, dedicating most of her career to leading the Ranch’s fundraising and marketing initiatives. She is a graduate of South Dakota State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications. In 2009, Christy achieved her CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential—an honor held by only a select number of fundraising professionals in South Dakota. Christy is actively involved in her professional and local communities. She recently served as Chair of the Diplomat Committee for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the South Dakota Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Sioux Falls, and is a current participant in Leadership Sioux Falls Class 40. A Seat at the Table is reserved for YPN Members only. You must register in advance. You will need to click "Login" on the top right to register for the event. Click "Forgot Password" to set up a password (make sure you use the email address associated with the Chamber). After that you should then be able to register. We are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for all event attendees. If you require any accommodations, please reach out to Jaci Pieters at jpieters@siouxfalls.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs.

Join us for Day 2 of YP Week! Civic engagement starts at the local level, and this panel brings together leaders who help shape our community every day. Hear from members of the City Council, School Board, and County Commission as they share what their roles look like, why local government matters, and how young professionals can get involved. This is a great chance to learn more about how decisions are made in Sioux Falls and to ask questions directly to the people doing the work. Whether you’re curious about running for office one day or just want to stay informed and engaged, this conversation will give you a closer look at how local leadership impacts our community. Lunch will be provided. Please register in advance. You will need to click "Login" on the top right to register for the event. Click "Forgot Password" to set up a password (make sure you use the email address associated with the Chamber). After that you should then be able to register. We are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for all event attendees. If you require any accommodations, please reach out to Jaci Pieters at jpieters@siouxfalls.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs.

Join us for Day 3 of YP Week: Rise & Impact – Nonprofit Pitch Hour. During this fast-paced event, several local nonprofits will each have five minutes to share who they are, the work they’re doing in the Sioux Falls community, and how young professionals can get involved. From volunteering and serving on boards to supporting important causes, you’ll get a quick look at a variety of organizations making a difference. After the pitch hour, stick around for a networking hour where you can connect directly with the nonprofits, ask questions, and learn more about ways to support their missions. If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to get involved in the community, this is a great place to start.  Please register in advance. You will need to click "Login" on the top right to register for the event. Click "Forgot Password" to set up a password (make sure you use the email address associated with the Chamber). After that you should then be able to register. We are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for all event attendees. If you require any accommodations, please reach out to Jaci Pieters at jpieters@siouxfalls.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs.

Join us for a Seat at the Table event this March featuring Jenn Hoesing. Jennifer Smith Hoesing has spent the past 20 years working in the nonprofit sector across Florida, South Carolina and South Dakota. Most recently, she served as Director of Development at DakotAbilities, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for people with disabilities and building a more inclusive community. Jenn is especially proud of her work refreshing brands at DakotAbilities and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, helping launch the Stockyards Ag Experience Museum in Sioux Falls, securing a Bush Community Innovation Grant to support childcare collaboration, and leading a cross-sector community planning effort in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A proud native of Marcus, Iowa, Jenn earned her B.A. in Music with a K–12 teaching certification from Luther College and an M.A. in Arts Administration from Florida State University’s College of Music. She also holds a Certified Fundraising Manager certification from the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Outside of work, Jenn enjoys playing music, reading, spending time outdoors, tackling craft and home improvement projects, and cheering on her favorite collegiate teams, Iowa State and Florida State. She lives in Sioux Falls with her husband Pete, their two sons, and Coco, their Boston terrier. A Seat at the Table is reserved for YPN members only. Registration is required in advance. You will need to click "Login" on the top right to register for the event. Click "Forgot Password" to set up a password (make sure you use the email address associated with the Chamber). After that you should then be able to register. We are committed to providing a welcoming and accessible experience for all event attendees. If you require any accommodations, please reach out to Jaci Pieters at jpieters@siouxfalls.com. We will make every effort to meet your needs.