Thrive Strategy Council

Cindy Dannenbring, Pam Homan, Stephanie Monroe, Jill Franken, Doug Morrison, Andy Patterson, Kari Benz, Janet Kittams, Kris Graham, and Christina Riss. Not pictured: Alicia Collura, Traci Jensen, Mike Lynch, and Betty Oldenkamp

Members of the Strategy Council are representatives of entities in the community that provide significant sources of funding and/or services designed to ensure the welfare of children and families who stand in need. They are appointed annually to a one-year term of office by the governing board on the recommendation of the organizations they represent. Thrive’s Board of Directors calls the strategy council, its “brain trust”.

The Council

  • Develops an informed understanding of the public and private community resources available to assist disadvantaged children and their  families.
  • Works to improve communication among public and private resource providers.
  • Identifies and prioritizes obstacles to children’s well-being and educational success.
  • Informs Thrive’s governing board of its research recommendations.
  • Recommends the formation of action teams.
  • Convenes action teams, soliciting applications for membership, reviewing the qualifications of applicants, and assuring that the membership reflects a cross-section of business, government, nonprofit and faith-based sectors.

2020 Members

Kari Benz ─ Director, Minnehaha County Human Services
Cindy Dannenbring ─ Executive Director, Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership, Inc.
Alicia Collura ─ Assistant Director, Health Department, City of Sioux Falls
Kris Graham ─ Executive Director, Southeastern Behavioral Healthcare
Pam Homan ─ Executive Director, Augustana University/Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Traci Jensen ─ Homeless Education Social Worker, McKinney-Vento Homeless/Sioux Falls School District
Janet Kittams ─ Executive Director, Helpline Center
Mike Lynch ─ Investor Relations Director, Forward Sioux Falls
Stephanie Monroe ─ Managing Director, Volunteers of America, Dakotas/Children, Youth & Family Services
Doug Morrison ─ Director of Research, Innovation and Accountability, Sioux Falls School District
Betty Oldenkamp ─ President, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota
Andrew Patterson ─ President, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
Christina Riss ─ Community Impact Specialist, Sioux Empire United Way

Designated Alternates
Patrick Gale ─ Program Officer, Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation
Dennis Hoffman ─ CEO, Volunteers of America, Dakotas
Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen ─ Vice President, Community Services, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota
Brian Maher ─ Superintendent, Sioux Falls School District #49-5
Jay Powell ─ President, Sioux Empire United Way