Sioux Empire United Way - Staff Bios

	Jay Powell - President Responsible For: Strategic vision, staff supervision, implementing board policies. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Augustana College Started Working for United Way: 1986 Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
	Meta Kleinschmit- Executive Administrative Assistant Responsible For: Heart Club, New Hires, Imagination Library, and other projects; Receptionist and secretary to SEUW president; other duties as assigned. Education:  Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development & Family Studies with a minor in Consumer Affairs and Gerontology from South Dakota State University. Started Working for United Way: October 8, 2007 Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
	Coleen Thompson – Finance Director Responsible For: All administrative financial duties (bookkeeping, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable), pledge processing/tracking from fall campaign. Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration/Accounting Option, minor in Economics, Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD Started Working for United Way: April 1982 Hometown: Westport, SD
	Cindy Elifrits – Resource Development Director Responsible For: The annual fundraising campaign, including planning, executing, and managing strategies for the solicitation of funds; recruiting, training, and managing volunteers; and working with businesses and individuals to encourage their support of United Way. Education: Bachelor of Science in Social Work from St. Cloud State University; Masters in Social Work from the University of Nebraska - Omaha. Started Working for United Way: 2000 Hometown: South Sioux City, NE
	Kacey McCarthy – Campaign Manager Responsible For: Assists in the organization and planning of the overall campaign. Is directly responsible for small and new business development aspects of the campaign, including volunteer recruitment, training, and account management. Education: Southeast Technical Institute Started Working for United Way: April 28, 2003 Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
	Susan Miskimins - Administrative Assistant, Campaign Responsible For: Assisting campaign staff with key projects, as well as immediate needs as they arise, including data requirements, running reports, and assisting volunteers. Education:  Bachelor of Arts in French, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA Started Working for United Way:  March 19, 2007 Hometown:  Cedar Falls, IA
	Lori Blom – Resource Investment Director Responsible For: Agency allocations and relations, Community Impact Grant Cycle. Education: Bachelor of Science in Sociology from SDSU; Masters in Education – Guidance and Counseling from Northern State University Started Working for United Way: August 26, 2002 Hometown: Pierre, SD
	Kerri DeGraff – Initiatives Director Responsible For: Working with volunteers to understand community needs, identifying programs and solutions to meet the needs, and evaluating the effectiveness of the programs United Way funds. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business, Communications, Spanish and certification to teach K-12, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD Started Working for United Way: November 30, 2006 Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
	Kristi Kranz – Community Impact Staff Responsible For: Assisting Community Impact staff, staffing three Community Impact teams, preparing and maintaining databases for various initiatives, handling meeting preparations, and notifying volunteers. Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, St. Cloud State University and Masters in Education, Southwest Minnesota State University Started Working for United Way: January 2, 2007 Hometown: Olivia, MN
	Brandi Miller – Marketing Director Responsible For: Communicating the various functions of United Way and our agencies to the public. Developing materials: video, brochures, posters, annual report,  newsletters. Campaign kickoff and volunteer thank you event. Year round media coverage: radio, TV, and print sources, PSAs, and news coverage. Education: Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN Started Working for United Way: January 3, 2005 Hometown: Kimball, SD
	Chelsea Cronin - Administrative Assistant, Marketing & Finance Responsible For: Assisting in all areas, most specifically in Marketing and Finance - Heart Club and pledge processing, assisting with special events, year-round media coverage: radio and surrounding communities, coordinating agency tours and rally speakers, and working with volunteers. Education:  Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and Speech Communication, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND Started Working for United Way: January 2, 2007 Hometown:  Luverne, MN

 
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