Leadership Sioux Falls: Building What’s Next

As Leadership Sioux Falls celebrated the graduation of Class 40 in May, the milestone served as a reminder of the program’s lasting impact on the community. For nearly four decades, Leadership Sioux Falls has brought together emerging and established leaders, providing them with a deeper understanding of Sioux Falls and their role in shaping its future. But as the Chamber honors that legacy, it is equally focused on what comes next.

The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is introducing a new framework to guide Leadership Sioux Falls, building on the program’s strong foundation while ensuring the experience remains meaningful, intentional and built for the future.

This evolution is rooted in a clear objective: to strengthen how participants learn, connect and lead. Chamber staff took a thoughtful look at how time is spent within the program, how content is delivered and where gaps may exist in exposure to key industries and the community. The goal is to maximize every session and ensure participants leave with a comprehensive, well-rounded perspective of Sioux Falls.

At the center of this work is a refreshed guiding framework: where Sioux Falls awareness meets leadership growth.

The framework is guided by three vision pillars:

Community Impact – immersing participants in the systems, challenges and opportunities that shape greater Sioux Falls, building both awareness and a call to lead.

Relationships – fostering meaningful, cross-industry connections that expand networks, influence and collaboration.

Personal Leadership – encouraging intentional reflection and growth, helping participants define their leadership identity within their career and community.

These pillars are brought to life through six Leadership Success Drivers that will be embedded throughout the program experience: community perspective, civic courage, relational trust, purposeful voice, self-awareness and adaptive thinking.

Participants will experience this framework through a thoughtfully sequenced series of sessions spanning September through May, including topics such as infrastructure and development, economic drivers, health and human services, government and civic engagement, education and workforce, the nonprofit sector and more.

Together, these elements create a more structured and cohesive journey, one that balances exposure to Sioux Falls’ key industries and leaders with the development of essential leadership capabilities.

Leadership Sioux Falls has always been about more than learning; it is about connection, responsibility and action. This next phase is designed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of the community and the confidence to lead within it.

Looking ahead, the Chamber will continue evolving this flagship program, honoring its strong foundation while intentionally shaping its future. Because the strength of Sioux Falls depends on the strength of its leaders, Leadership Sioux Falls will continue to develop them for years to come.

The Evan C. Nolte Leadership Sioux Falls program will begin accepting applications for the 41st class on June 8, 2026. More than 1,200 people have completed the signature leadership program of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce since it launched in 1986.

The program application, as well as a complete schedule for Class 41, is available at siouxfallschamber.com. Applications will be accepted through July 17, 2026. Tuition is $1,200 for employees of a Chamber-member business and is non-refundable.