Accomplishment of a Common Task

The YWCA is a volunteer and membership-based organization that is part of the global YWCA network. An annually elected Board of Directors governs YWCA Sioux Falls providing leadership and vision to our organization.  The board of directors consists of influential women of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds ranging from human resources and law to finance and communications.

YWCA Board of Directors

2011 Officers:

LaVonne Gaspar, president  - LaVonne is currently serving her second term on the board and is the current president. LaVonne is a South Dakota native and has had a long term career with Avera McKennan Hospital and University Center.  LaVonne is married and has 4 grown children who all reside in Sioux Falls along with 12 grandchildren.  LaVonne enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, sewing, walking and reading. 

Kris Attema, president elect - Kris joined the board in 2009 and is a Nebraska native with a BA from Augustana College.  Kris is the Vice President of the Project Management Office for Pacific Pulmonary Services.  She enjoys bicycle riding, decorating, shopping and organizing.

Mary Lloyd-Huber, secretary - Mary is serving her second term on the board and is a Sioux Falls native.  Mary attended school in Wisconsin at Carthage College and is the Human Resource Director for Lloyd Companies.  Mary is married and has a daughter and in her spare time enjoys spending time with family and friends and running.

 



Julie Kriech, treasurer - Julie has been on the board since 2009 and is currently Treasurer of the Board.  Julie is a native of Minneapolis and has lived in various parts of the country and overseas.  Julie holds a BSBA from USD and is Director of Finance for USD Health Affairs, overseeing the finance of both the Sanford School of Medicine and the School of Health Sciences.  Prior to working in higher education, she served in the United States Marine Corps and spent 7 years in the banking industry.  Julie is married and has 2 grown stepchildren and a 7 year old son.  In her spare time she enjoys exercise, movies, music and spending time with family and friends.


Laurie Knutson, chief executive officer, YWCA.
Laurie has been with the YWCA since 2007 and is a Minnesota native.  She received her BA from USF and her MBA from USD.  She has been involved with supporting the nonprofit work of the Sioux Falls community for over 20 years; as a volunteer and as staff and has a rich history in fundraising, health care and the financial planning industries.  She is currently involved with the Downtown Sioux Falls Board, the YWCA Greater Heartland Region Board, Kiwanis Club of Sioux Falls, P.E. O., Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church and as a parent volunteer at Patrick Henry Middle School. She enjoys being involved in the activities of her daughter, traveling and spending time with her husband.  

2011 Board Members:

Julie Benz - Julie joined the board in 2010 and was the 1986 winner of the YWCA Leadership Award for Model Employee.  Julie serves as the Assistant Vice President of Ortho/Neuro/Rehab at Avera and is married with 3 daughters.  She spends time developing work opportunities for individuals with disabilities, helping with Special Olympics, traveling and spending time with her family.  




Helen Henkin -  Helen is serving her first term on the board and is a Sioux Falls native.  Helen has a BA from Augustana College and works at Transitional Living Corporation (TLC).  Helen has served on several community boards and in her spare time enjoys running, hiking, biking, traveling and relaxing on the beach.






Courtney Mendelson - Courtney is serving her first term on the board. Courtney was born in San Francisco, was involved in the Spinsters program of the YWCA in high school and graduated from SDSU with a BS in Consumer Affairs.  She is currently pursuing her MBA at University of Sioux Falls.  Courtney volunteers in many areas of the community and is employed as a National Market Account Specialist at Raven Industries.  Courtney is very close with her family and likes to travel, read, and is an avid snow skier.

Katie Mullin - Katie joined the board in 2010 and is a Nebraska native.  Katie holds a BS from the University of Nebraska and is currently self-employed with State Farm.  Katie is married and has 2 daughters and enjoys reading, hiking, spending time outdoors and has a passion for mentoring other young women.

Barbara Ohme - Barbara is a Spencer native and grew up in South Dakota.  She holds a BA from SDSU and has taken Masters courses in Industrial Management. Barbara is the Vice President of Administration at Raven Industries.  She has been involved in various nonprofit boards and has a grown son who lives in Florida.  In her spare time, Barbara enjoys traveling, spending time at her cabin in Okoboji and gourmet cooking and participating in dinner and wine clubs.

Sherri Rotert - Sherri is serving her past president term on the board.  Sherri was born in Sioux Falls and received a BS from the University of South Dakota and her law degree from the University of Denver.  Sherri is an attorney with Boyce, Greenfield, Pashby & Welk, specializing in representing businesses and technology transactions.

Jessie Schmidt - Jessie has been on the board since 2009. Jessie is a Sioux Falls native and received her BA from USD. She is currently Office Manager for the Lynn, Jackson Law Firm and formerly was with the Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota.  Jessie is married and has two children. She likes to spend her spare time at their lake home on Lake Madison.

Laura Sibson - Laura is a Sioux Falls native and have been on the board since 2009. Laura holds a BS degree from USD and is Network Relations Manager for Wellmark.  Laura is involved in numerous associations in the community, is married with 2 children and enjoys cooking, music, golfing, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Sandra Sieg - Sandra is a native of South Dakota, growing up in the White Lake area and then attending Augustana College.  She is married and has three grown sons and one granddaughter. Sandra has been employed with Home Federal for over 14 years and is the Vice President of Product Development.  She is a member of SMF, is a Leadership Sioux Falls graduate and has been on the YWCA board for two years.  Sandra enjoys reading, music and is a sports enthusiast.

Tammi Soehl - Tammi joined the board in 2010 and is a Minnesota native. Tammi attended USD and is currently with Home Federal Bank. Tammi is married and has three grown children and two grandchildren.  Tammi has served on various community associations and boards and in her spare time enjoys scrapbooking, quilting, reading, camping, Twins baseball, Vikings football, hockey and photography.

Nancee Sturdevant - Nancee is a North Dakota native and holds a BA from Moorehead State University.  She joined the board in 2009. Nancee is married and has three teenage children.  She was the former Executive Director of the Volunteer & Informaiton Center in Sioux Falls. Nancee volunteers with Meals on Wheels, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation and at the schools her children attend.  Nancee enjoys traveling, cooking, organizing activities, and is passionate about environmental issues.

Kay Wagner - Kay was born in Yankton and attended college in Kansas earning her Master's degree in Denver. Kay holds a double major (BA) in Fine Arts and German and an MS in Library Science.  The majority of Kay's career was as a Medical Library Director in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and prior to early retirement was Director of Karl and Mary Jo Wegner Health Sciences Library associated with the USD School of Medicine in Sioux Falls.  Kay also was an active artist in a juried gallery while living in LaCrosse.  Kay joined the YWCA board in 2008 and also volunteers for Junior Achievement and Avera McKennan.  She enjoys traveling with her husband, exercising, boating, art and music.