Building the Future: Highlights from the Next Gen Leadership Retreat

During a 24-hour retreat, a group of Sioux Falls’ emerging leaders came together to grow, connect and explore how they can make a difference in their workplaces and communities.

The Next Gen Leadership retreat took place Jan. 22 and 23 at Culture Cove in Meckling, South Dakota. Sixteen next generation leaders from 10 different industries joined for an immersive experience focused on leadership development, community engagement, collaboration and strategic thinking. The retreat encouraged emerging leaders to reflect on what makes a good leader, where they want to go in their careers and how they can engage in succession planning. The retreat also encouraged honest conversations about the fears and challenges young leaders face in the community.

The retreat was facilitated by Tamien Dysart, CEO of Think 3D Solutions and chair of the board of directors for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce; Anna Jankord, vice president of member relations at the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce; and Jaci Pieters, YPN manager at the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Throughout the 24 hours, several key themes stood out. First was putting leadership skills into action. Discussions encouraged reflection on what makes a strong leader, what participants are already doing as leaders and what skills they want to continue developing. Another major focus was community and civic engagement. The group explored where they are already involved, where there are opportunities to get more engaged and how to learn more about civic leadership in Sioux Falls. Mentorship was also a central topic, with young leaders sharing the importance of having trusted voices to ask difficult questions, learn from others’ experiences and build relationships with community leaders.

As one participant shared, “The best part about this retreat was the people. It was inspiring to connect with others who are committed to making our community stronger and shaping the future of our city. The foresight our leaders and organizations show in creating and investing in a group like this is incredible. It’s another ingredient of the secret sauce that makes Sioux Falls special,” said Melissa Dellman of SDN Communications.

So what comes next for this group? They are committed to continuing the conversation and staying connected. Participants plan to reach out to the mentors identified during the retreat, get more involved in the community and participate in follow-up sessions to keep the dialogue going. This retreat marked the start of what this group of young professionals can accomplish. It sparked ideas, built connections and inspired these leaders to step forward and lead. The group plans to reconvene quarterly to continue its leadership development.