Professional Development

Join us for a seat at the table with Lisa Romkema, CEO of Sioux Empire United Way. Lisa was originally born and raised on a farm near Springfield, South Dakota and her very first job was destasseling corn for a few weeks one summer! She went on to earn a degree in Business/Marketing from Dakota State University. After graduation, she worked for Target as an Executive Team Leader, relocating from Watertown, SD to Fargo, ND, and eventually the Twin Cities, before deciding to move back closer to home. Lisa is well-acquainted with SEUW, having previously served as Campaign Director from 2010 to 2015. She has a successful track record of annual giving campaigns, major giving, and planned giving, with nearly 14 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership.  Now as the CEO, Lisa will be responsible for the overall strategic vision and leadership to a talented professional team, as well as to a dedicated board, community volunteers, agency partners, and organizational stakeholders. According to Lisa, she is thrilled and "excited does even scratch the surface!" 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.

Join us for a seat at the table with Jeff Eckhoff, the Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Sioux Falls.  Jeff has been in this role since May 28, 2019, and brings a wealth of experience to the table. His career spans 16 years as Executive Director of the Lincoln and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations, seven years as State Director of the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, and four years with the City of Sioux Falls. He holds a bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University and a master's degree from the University of South Dakota. 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 a seat at the table with Jodi Schwan. Jodi Schwan is a next-generation media leader. Based in Sioux Falls, S.D., she is the founder of Align Content Studio, providing content strategy, production and distribution to clients in a broad range of industries. She also develops and oversees Align's original content brands including www.SiouxFalls.business. Jodi is a former editor, broadcaster and columnist who also is a frequently requested public speaker. Jodi knows Sioux Falls business. From the latest deals to the biggest decision-makers, she’s the best source for local developments. Jodi excels at content strategy designed to build and engage audiences. From video storytelling to news distribution, she knows how to reach people in an increasingly cluttered marketplace. 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.

Pull up a chair and join us for A Seat at the Table with James Oppenheimer, CEO of the Sioux Falls YMCA! James brings a wealth of experience and insights to the discussion. Having moved to Sioux Falls over 15 years ago for a role in the insurance industry, his career journey has also included serving as the Director of Business Operations for Dakota Alliance Soccer Club and as the Executive Director for the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by James’ leadership story and community impact. We hope to see you there! 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.