Board of Directors
Executive Director
Vicki Stewart
Vicki Stewart is the Executive Director of Business Resource Network in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Vicki has a B.A. in religion with a minor in psychology from Augustana University. She has worked in the field of disabilities for 30 years. Vicki serves on the Pathways to Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces Board, the Advisory Committee for Business Administration and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Technical College, the USD Health Sciences Advisory Board, the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation and the South Dakota Parent Connection Board. She is a WINDMILLS: Changing the Perception of Abilities certified trainer.
Board of Directors
Bonnie Duffy, Owner, Duffy Appraisals - Board Chair
Bonnie owns and operates Duffy Appraisals with her husband. She has been an appraiser since 1995 in addition to many years of experience with multiple boards, including Minnehaha County Planning and Zoning, Interlakes Community Action Partnership, East Dakota Educational Foundation, East Dakota Educational Cooperative, and Brandon Valley School Board.
Laura Arnett, Business Development Director, Flynn Wright - Vice Chair
Laura Arnett is the Business Development Director for Flynn Wright, a Midwest-based advertising agency with clients nationwide. With 5 years of experience in the advertising industry and 10 years in property management prior to that, Laura is well-versed in how important the customer experience is no matter the industry. Her varying roles and background have forged a deep passion for her in the areas of team development, relationship building, and community engagement. Community involvement is very important to Laura, and she actively participates in volunteer opportunities with the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, as an Executive Committee member with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and as a board member for the National Kidney Foundation.
Pat Herman, Special Projects Planner, Center for Disabilities, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota - Board Secretary/Treasurer
Herman has worked in a variety of areas at the Center including community outreach, transition clinic, management, human resources, national core indicators, marketing, veterans’ affairs, employment, and event planning. She is honored to be part of the Oyáte Circle Division which conducts education and outreach campaigns about the needs of Native Americans with disabilities. Herman earned a B.A. from Augustana University and a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Ball State University. She worked in the field of planning for over 20 years. Herman completed the AUCD (Association of University Centers on Disabilities) Leadership Academy in 2017 and became a certified ADA Coordinator in 2021. Herman sits on the boards of Health Connect of South Dakota, the Sioux Falls History Club, the Rocky Mountain ADA Center Advisory Board, and the Disability Awareness and Accessibility Review Board for Sioux Falls.
Dane Ekdom, Civil Engineer, ISG
Dane is a licensed civil engineer who specializes in municipal engineering and infrastructure design. He works out of ISG’s Sioux Falls office, where he focuses on creating efficient, cost-effective solutions for communities and clients throughout the region. His expertise lies in public infrastructure and the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) within public rights-of-way, ensuring that infrastructure is both compliant and accessible.
Dane’s extensive background makes him a trusted resource for enhancing the safety and functionality of public spaces. He is committed to understanding the technical aspects and community impact within the built environment, allowing him to provide innovative, sustainable alternatives that save time and resources, while improving the built environment and making communities more inclusive.
Parker Hanson, Financial Advisor, Nelson Wealth Management
Parker was born without his left hand but has never let that stop him from being who he is, allowing him to play professional baseball with the Sioux Falls Canaries. After his baseball career, Parker became a Financial Advisor at Merrill where he is a member of the Nelson Wealth Management team and began his motivational speaking career. He became a Financial Advisor and motivational speaker because of his desire to build relationships and help other people, as he realizes he would not have made it to where he is without the support of others in his life and now strives to return the favor. Outside of his role at EDR, Parker is also a member of Shriners Hospitals for Children’s Patient Alumni Network, the Louisville Slugger Warriors (national amputee baseball team), and NubAbility.
Kellie Hauglid, Sales Specialist for Cindy Van Gerpen Agency
Kellie Hauglid is a licensed Sales Specialist selling all lines of insurance and is in training to become the future agent for the Cindy Van Gerpen Agency. Kellie also contracts with the Federal Department of Labor as a Rehabilitation Counselor to help injured workers return to suitable employment. Kellie is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Kellie received a Bachelor’s Degree from South Dakota State University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development, double specialized in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling and Agency/Community Counseling. She also has a Vision Specialist graduate certificate from Mississippi State University. Additionally, Kellie serves on the Board of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired. Kellie enjoys camping with her family, spending time with her dogs, playing recreational sports, and attending college/professional sporting events.
Peter Klein, Business Liaison Consultant, Wells Fargo Bank
Peter Klein is a Vice President, Business Liaison Consultant for Wells Fargo Bank. Peter has spent the past 14 years with Wells Fargo and held different positions within the bank from Student Loans Originator, Service Manager, and Branch Manager, to Regional Banking District Manager. Within his current role, Peter conducts research on customer escalated complaints to identify systemic issues. Those issues are presented to a line of business leaders to implement and make the necessary changes for a better customer experience. In addition to his role, Peter is the Chair for the South Dakota Pride Team Member Network at Wells Fargo which has over 370 members. Peter also is a member of the South Dakota Bankers Association Emerging Leader Group. Peter has a strong passion for giving back to the community and has spent time volunteering with the Boys and Girls Clubs, Feeding South Dakota, Junior Achievement, Mentorship Programs, Community Support Campaign, Arthritis Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.
Undrea Kruse, Talent Acquisition Manager, Avera
Undrea Kruse is a Talent Acquisition Manager at Avera, focusing on nurse recruitment. Undrea has worked in the human resources field for over 18 years. She has been with Avera since 2015, starting as a recruiter and later transitioning to a manager role. Undrea is passionate about helping Avera find great employees to join their wonderful health ministry.
Vicki Nelson, District Supervisor, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Vicki Nelson currently serves as District Supervisor for the Division of Rehabilitation Services. She is a Certified Senior Rehabilitation Counselor and served in this capacity for 19 years, until she was appointed District Supervisor in 2014. Vicki received a BA Degree from South Dakota State University and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University in Sacramento. Vicki has worked in the field of disabilities for over 30 years. She has served on the Mayor’s Disability Awareness Commission and was a past President of the SD RehabACTion. She is currently a member of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month committee, TBI Workgroup, and Consumer Advisory Committee member.
April Schulte
April is the Vocational Rehabilitation Manager of the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and has been with Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired for almost 8 years. April is on the YPN Steering Committee and soon will serve as the co-chair of the YPN Personal and Professional Development sub-committee. April serves on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 30 Committee to plan events annually to celebrate the signing of the ADA. April was involved in the State of SD RehabACTion organization as Member at Large for 2 years, and Secretary last year and continues to be a member of this organization. She served on the Fall Conference planning committee for the State Vocational Rehabilitation statewide, annual training in Sioux Falls and is part of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month planning committee. April is in the process of obtaining her Certified Low Vision Therapist certification since she runs the low vision clinic at the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. She has participated in training to become ACRE certified in Customized Employment. April is also pursuing additional education at Northern State University in the fall to study the anatomy of the eye to serve clients better. April is actively involved in the community through various committees and boards and has a passion for helping people with disabilities to reach their full potential.
Sharla Svennes, Assistant United States Attorney
Sharla Svennes is an Assistant United States Attorney and Civil Rights Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Sioux Falls and her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law. In her free time, Sharla enjoys reading, trying out new experiences, spending time with her husband, and the daily adventures of parenting.
Tylon 'Ty' Vuong
Tylon ‘Ty’ Vuong has his Bachelor’s in Psychology with his Master’s in Human Factors with an emphasis in User Experience (UX). As a ‘Jack-of-All-Trades’-type of personality, he has professional experience in multiple workplaces including retail, food services, medical, call-center, remote, sales, construction, military, human resources, education, and more. He is an active member in Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT), served on the board of Disrupt HR Sioux Falls, and maintains a Certified Associate Project Management certification (PMI).
Holly Wessels, Sr. Disability Management Specialist, Sanford Health
Holly is originally from California but traded the coastline for the beauty of the Midwest in 1998. She graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and has worked in the Sanford Health Human Resources department for 23 years. Enjoying several different roles in HR, her favorite by far is the current role, Senior Disability Management Specialist. She has the privilege of assisting all Sanford employees across the nation with their accommodation needs. She currently resides in Luverne, MN with her husband, teenage son and her adult daughter is attending college at the University of MN. Go Gophers! She enjoys volunteering and serves on several boards such as the local library and Luv1LuvAll, a non-profit aimed at improving communities in SW Minnesota. She spends her spare time acting in community theater, searching for antique treasures, and enjoying time outside in God’s creation.
Advisory Board Members
Mychelle Garrigan, Firelink Digital Marketing
Mychelle Garrigan runs Firelink Digital Marketing, which serves small to medium-size businesses and non-profits. She provides a full range of online business services include website design, SEO, copywriting and strategy development for content marketing and social media marketing. Mychelle’s professional background includes over 30 years working in administration, development, and marketing/communications positions in the non-profit world. She has a MSW with a concentration on Community Administration, Planning and Programs from UCLA. Mychelle is a member of the Employment Disability Resources Marketing Committee and sits on the City of Sioux Falls Accessibility Review Board, an advisory body to the Mayor, City Council and the City ADA Coordinator on disability awareness and universal accessibility of City buildings, programs and services in Sioux Falls, SD. She was also honored to be chosen for the 2022-23 Leadership Sioux Falls class. Mychelle also volunteers as a board member for the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition and volunteers for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.
Jennifer Erickson, Co-Owner, Dolcezza Vita, LLC
Jennifer Erickson worked for Marathon Oil for 12 years as a process engineer and natural gas marketer after obtaining her Chemical Engineering degree at Tulsa University. She also obtained her MBA at Houston Baptist University. Her desire to leave the big city of Houston led her to seek employment closer to her family ties in the Midwest. She was National Marketer for MidAmerican Energy in Sioux City, IA for 2 years. She left Mid-American Energy in 1996 to join a start-up company located in Sioux Falls, PAM Natural Gas. Pam Natural Gas grew, and she bought into the partnership. The company was sold in 1998 and she became a Vice President with Otter Tail Power until she decided not to relocate. She and co-owner Beth Behal opened Camille’s Sidewalk Café in 2003 and operated this business until it was sold in 2019. She and Beth currently own Una Dolcezza Vita LLC.
Dawn Ingalls, Talent Development Consultant, Avera Health
Dawn Ingalls is a Human Resource Professional and has worked in the field for over 30 years. 15 of these years were spent in the banking industry with Citibank and BankFirst, 17 years in healthcare human resources with Avera, and she is currently a Talent Development Consultant with Avera Health. Dawn is SPHR Certified, has her SHRM-SCP, is a Certified DiSC Facilitator, and a Certified Trainer with Crucial Learning. Dawn’s roles as HR Generalist, HR Manager, Director of Workforce Engagement, and Talent Development Consultant have given her the opportunity to work in the areas of Employment, Compensation, Benefits, Employee Relations, Leadership & Talent Development, and Employee Engagement.
Dawn has volunteered her time in the past as a City Council Member, SESHRM Board Member, and CCD teacher. She has been a Junior Achievement volunteer for the past 15 years, and is a Wish Granter with Make-A-Wish.
Joel Sylvester, Chief Client Officer & Partner, Five Star Call Centers
Joel Sylvester is the chief client officer and partner at Five Star Call Centers, an outsource customer service and technical support organization based in Sioux Falls, SD. With over 25 years of crafting exceptional customer experiences, Joel has an unsurpassable passion for developing world-class customer experiences. His career spans hundreds of companies, working with brands like AARP, Wells Fargo, South Carolina Parks, Ohio Parks, and Fellowes, helping each enhance their customer experience. Joel has recruited, trained, and coached award-winning teams across the world in retail, banking, healthcare, and manufacturing. He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, and during his career was named Wells Fargo Star Performer, and led teams named to the Inc. 5000 and Fellowes Partner of the Year as well as recipients of the South Dakota Governor’s Award.
Joel is also active in the community, serving on the boards of the Washington Pavilion operations, Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls, and Employment Disability Resources. He is also an active volunteer and board member with SculptureWalk Sioux Falls and the Sioux Empire United Way, having served as campaign chair as well as being part of several committees.
Dawn Uthe, Human Resources Director, Carsforsale.com
Dawn Uthe is a HR Professional with over 40 years of Human Resources experience. She is currently the Human Resources Director at Carsforsale.com (Web Development company) and previous HR experience includes 17 years at Citibank and 16 years at Capital One, formerly HSBC. Her work experience includes the management of recruiting and marketing strategies for the business, business client relationships, employee relations and training/development of current employees and the leadership team.
Dawn serves on the National Academy of Finance Board and has been a Junior Achievement teacher in the community for over 21 years. She is active in the SHRM local chapter and is a past SESHRM Board Member. Dawn is a Sioux Falls native and is active in the community; you may find her teaching classes on Human Resources to High School students or patrons at the Center for Active Generations. Dawn is PHR certified and maintains her SHRM-CP certification.
