We are Friends, actually. We are all friends as well as colleagues, and we have the best job in the world! Working alongside talented SDPB staff to bring you quality journalism, entertainment, and education to everyone in our state. And we work with you to provide the best local programming that SDPB has to offer, all made possible with YOUR support.
Mission Statement: The Friends of SDPB support the mission of South Dakota Public Broadcasting through advocacy, leadership, and fundraising responsive to the needs of SDPB and all South Dakotans.
Values Statement: Friends of SDPB will inspire our supporters to sustain SDPB’s vitality and growth as one of country’s premier broadcast networks.
Vision Statement: Friends of SDPB will link all South Dakotans to SDPB.
Friends of SDPB Staff
Individual Giving
Kate Drennen Ryan
Vice President of Membership
kate.ryan (at) sdpb.org
Molly Broin
Mid-Level & On-Air Fundraising Manager
molly.broin (at) sdpb.org
Val Simpson
Donor Relations Director (West)
val.simpson (at) sdpb.org
Wade Gemar
Donor Relations Director (East)
wade.gemar (at) sdpb.org
Corporate Partnerships
Eric Erickson
VP of Corporate Partnerships
eric.erickson (at) sdpb.org
Jennifer Adler
Director of Corporate Partnerships (Black Hills)
jennifer.adler (at) sdpb.org
Laura Rasmussen
Director of Corporate Partnerships (Northeast)
laura.rasmussen (at) sdpb.org
Community Impact
Nathan Hofer
Director of Community Impact
nathan.hofer (at) sdpb.org
Brittany Neiles
Community Coordinator (West)
brittany.neiles (at) sdpb.org
Operations
Wendy Bergan
Director of Operations
wendy.bergan (at) sdpb.org
Ellie Davenport
Data Systems Manager
ellie.davenport (at) sdpb.org
Hallie Thomas
Data Specialist
hallie.thomas (at) sdpb.org
Friends of SDPB Board of Directors
Friends is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that exists solely to support the mission of SDPB. We are governed by a volunteer board of citizens from across the state.
Vernon Brown, Sioux Falls
Bobbie Clark, Mitchell
Liam Culhane, Watertown
Gene Ellenson (President), Huron
Nick & Nicole Fischer, Aberdeen
Kara Flynn, Rapid City
Charles Hart, Rapid City
Leslie Magnusson Hildyard, Rapid City
Jan Hovey-Johnson (Secretary), Watertown
Tom Hurlbert, Sioux Falls
Kay Jorgensen, Spearfish
Lindsey Meyers, Sioux Falls
Matthew Moen, Vermillion
Karen Mortimer, Rapid City
Mike Mueller (Vice President), Pierre
Julie Overgaard, Sioux Falls
Tamara Pier, Rapid City
Katrin Profilet, Sioux Falls
Matthew Rama, Pine Ridge
Tobias Uecker, Brookings
Josh VanLaecken (Treasurer), Aberdeen