Sioux Empire United Way is excited to welcome Pam Hanneman as our Interim President & CEO!
As a South Dakota native from Langford, Pam attended Northern State University in Aberdeen. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration and Management, Pam moved to Sioux Falls accepting a job at Norwest Bank. She went on to serve 17 years at Wells Fargo and 9 years at First PREMIER before retiring in 2022.
Now as the SEUW Interim President & CEO, Pam 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 Pam, she was surprised to be asked, but was "excited about the opportunity to work with a great team and an organization that helps thousands of people in our community."
To learn more about her, be sure to read our interview below!
Pam and Dennis Hanneman (husband).
Q&A with Pam Hanneman
What has your journey with SEUW looked like?
I have served in many volunteer positions within United Way. Started as a Loan Executive and then have worked in many different areas of the campaign for many years. I also have served as Chair of the Board of Directors, Campaign Chair, Community Impact Chair, HR Committee Chair and now the Retiree Committee. I have been a donor every year since I started volunteering because you realize the need in the community and the dollars are going to programs that have been reviewed by volunteers to meet community needs.
How have your beginning years shaped your appreciation and involvement with Sioux Empire United Way and their funded programs?
Being involved with United Way has shown me how giving our community is and how we care for all our neighbors. There are so many needs that I was not aware of until I got involved with United Way. Plus, you never know when you may need to use some of these services.
As a Sioux Empire United Way Supporter and volunteer for over 25 years, tell us about the moment you were asked to be the Sioux Empire United Way Interim President & CEO.
First, I was surprised to be asked. Then the more I thought about it, I started to get excited about the opportunity to work with a great team and an organization that helps thousands of people in our community. What other job can do this!! I was starting to get antsy and knew I wanted to do something but didn’t know what. Then this opportunity came and I’m loving this job.
As you stepped out of retirement and into this role, what goals did you set for your time in this position?
My first goal was to get to know the team and then learn what their role was. It is different being on the other side of the desk, volunteer to team member. Next, I wanted to do what I could to help the community reach their fundraising goal to fund our agency programs. The other part is to listen to the team and see what we need to do to keep moving the organization forward, connect with our agencies, and work on expanding our donor base.
Pam & Dennis Hanneman, volunteers, and Heart at the Sioux Empire United Way Heart Concert.
We hear many times that people and community leaders give to United Way because you never know when you may need the resources of their funded agencies. Do you have a personal tie to the agencies we hope to support in 2024?
I do have family members who have received books through the Imagination Library program. It’s comforting to know that if we would need any of the United Way supported programs, they are available. It’s a great insurance policy.
As a long-term volunteer for SEUW, what advice do you have for individuals interested in volunteering and why do you continue volunteering with us?
The best thing about volunteering is you get to see the needs in our community, and you meet great people that you may otherwise never meet. I have formed some amazing friendships over the years through volunteering with United Way. There are so many ways you can volunteer for United Way, just reach out to any team member and we can help find a fit for you.
Besides SEUW, what other organizations or nonprofits are you involved with in our community?
- My church
- McCrossan Boys Ranch
- Veterans Community Project
- Downtown Rotary
What final words do you have for our readers?
As a volunteer you get so much back personally. It’s very rewarding. Find something you are passionate about and give volunteering a try. Many times you may be asked to be a volunteer for a project and make sure if you say yes, that you can fulfill your commitment. It’s ok to say no if it is not the right time for you. There will always be a need for volunteers.
Pam Hanneman with daughters Erin and Emily.