Joan DeFilippo has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit development and event fundraising. She has worked in various capacities at nonprofit organizations, including Komen, Avon 39, and most recently the American Heart Association. Over the years, she has learned successful fundraising strategies, working with many large corporations to secure company teams and sponsorships. Joining NAMIWalks has been a wonderful learning experience, and she’s incorporated her love of fundraising and knowledge of development and corporate partnerships into the NAMIWalks structure.

Travis Jacobs is back to talk about his latest book "Limes & Lions: Grief Reflections from the Desert." Travis is an author, storyteller, teacher, and radio host.

Sarah Van Voorst has been an officer with the Sioux Falls Police Department since 2015. During this time she has been an active member of the Recruiting Team, the Well-Being Team, Coffee with a Cop, and the Crisis Negotiation Unit. Prior to starting with the SFPD, Sarah worked at LifeScape for 9 years as a case manager working with adults with disabilities.

Marilyn Charging is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. She is a retired school administrator, devoted mother and grandmother and a sewing enthusiast. She is also the Education and Outreach Consultant for NAMI South Dakota.

Taté Walker is Mniconjou Lakota and a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. They are an award-winning Two Spirit storyteller for outlets like “The Nation,” “Everyday Feminism," and “Indian Country Today.” Their work appears in the award-winning FIERCE: Essays by and About Dauntless Women (Nauset Press, 2018), and their first full-length book, Thunder Thighs & Trickster Vibes, is forthcoming from Mango Publishing. Learn more at www.jtatewalker.com.

golnesa asheghAli was born to Iranian parents and spent the majority of her life in northern Virginia. About six years ago, she moved to occupied Oceti Sakowin Territory where she lives and works as an educator and organizer in Rapid City. Hear about her experience being a minority in South Dakota, and what led her to teaching.

This week's guest is Joshua Duncan. Joshua is a pastor, counselor, and speaker whose passion is to help people unbecome to become! Hear him talk about growing up black in South Dakota, and what led him to become an Addiction Treatment Counselor for Carroll Institute in Sioux Falls, SD.

This week's guest is Serene Thin Elk. Serene is Co-Founder of Generation Red Road, Inc. and is a licensed mental health and addiction counselor. She is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Nation (Yankton Sioux Tribe) and is also from the Sicangu Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe). She is passionate about addressing patterns of inter-generational transmission, and finding ways to help individuals, families and communities heal from the effects of historical traumas.

This week's guest is Dr. Karla Abbott. Karla is an Associate Professor who teaches behavioral health nursing at Augustana University. Her current research is focused on the efficacy of Lakota Talking Circles for young women who are pregnant. Hear the challenges she’s faced as a Lakota woman in academia, and learn her tips for young people as they transition into higher education.

This week's guest is Rachel Polan. Rachel has been volunteering with Sioux Falls Pride for 3 years, and works in marketing at her day job. She works everyday for intersectionality in Pride, and in her personal life advocates for mental health awareness and acceptance for neurodivergent people. Hear how she deals with depression and anxiety, and learn how you can get involved in Sioux Falls Pride's 20 year anniversary celebration on June 20, 2020.