Sara Foust is the Director of Codington County Welfare in Watertown. She has been a Social Worker for over 20 years and is passionate about bringing positive changes through community development. When not at work, Sara enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 sons. She also enjoys many hobbies including directing and acting in plays at Town Players.

Lori Oster is employed by South Dakota State University Extension and serves as the Program Director for Better Choices, Better Health® South Dakota, a statewide self-management education program offered as workshops for adults looking to learn skills and strategies to improve their chronic health conditions.

Lori is a registered nurse with over 40 years of career experience that includes a wide variety of hospital services, home care and hospice, Indian Health Services, and public health. She has coordinated the development, growth, and sustainment of BCBH-SD since 2013.

Kari Palmer is a mother, grandmother, and lover of the outdoors. She has an innovative spirit and enjoys looking for opportunities for positive change in our community and in her personal life. 

Kari has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Sioux Falls and is pursing her Masters in Business from the University of Sioux Falls. She’s worked in the public and private sector and care deeply for the well-being of others. Kari is a state trainer for NAMI Family/Connections support groups and actively volunteer in their programs.

Presently, Kari devotes her time to Journey of Hope, a nonprofit organization she founded in September 2020 with her husband Darin.

Michelle Majeres is the Prevention Coordinator at the Southeastern Prevention Resource Center, which is part of the state prevention system in South Dakota. The PRC is housed at Volunteers of America, Dakotas in Sioux Falls, SD. Michelle is a Certified Prevention Specialist under the Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals, and has worked in the prevention field for over 17 years.

Michelle graduated from SDSU in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. A seasoned trainer in substance abuse and mental health prevention as well as health promotion, Michelle is trained to deliver evidence-based prevention programs and practices such as Botvin LifeSkills, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid, Second Step Curriculum, Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Overdose Lifelines, Prime for Life, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST), and Safe Dates.

Ben Severson is 51 yrs old. He has a Master of Addiction Studies and MSW; LAC & LCSW. Undergrad: BFA/ Sociology. 6th year at USD SCC. 1 yr intern, 4 ½ years prevention, just started MH position in March. From Vermillion. Went back to grad school in 2015, 14 years after undergrad. Managed restaurants for 20 years. 9 ½ years sober. 3 kids, 28, 25, 6. 2 grandkids 5,8. Married 6 yrs. 

Erin Thin Elk (Wanahca To Ka Heh Hinapah Win, First Flower that Blooms Woman) is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe). She currently serves as a Senior Tribal Specialist with One Fire Associates, LLC. She earned a B.A. in English and a Certificate in Native American Studies (2002) and a MSW (2004) both from the University of Iowa.

Ms. Thin Elk holds a passionate commitment to healing, health and social justice for tribal children, youth and families. Her professional experience includes culturally competent behavioral health practice, community-based participatory research and evaluation, mental health prevention and postvention training and programmatic development, restorative justice and peacemaking circles, and teaching and educational outreach with Native communities across the United States. Ms. Thin Elk resides with her beautiful children in Minnesota.

Terry Liggins is the founder and CEO of The Hurdle Life Coach Foundation. He advocates for special populations, at-risk youth, adults in reentry, people in recover, and young professionals.

Terry believes leadership begins with role modeling and recognizes the sphere of influence every person possesses to be a force for good. His Faith in God and people fuels his desire to be a helping hand in a world full of individuals, families, and communities in need.

Angela Drake has been the General Manager of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for the past 6 years, the Board Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for 4 years, and founded the Fight Like A Ninja Foundation 5 years ago. 

After the loss of her daughter Brittany in March of 2016, Angela Drake has made it her mission to channel her grief into hope, resources, and support for others.  She is a passionate mother, friend and community volunteer that strives to provide HOPE to anyone who crosses her path -- especially those who need it most. 

Dr. Josefine Combs specializes in the assessment, management, and treatment of concussions in people of all ages. She has extensive experience in the evaluation and management of concussions for athletes at any level of sports participation. Her patients include professional, collegiate, high school and youth athletes.

Dr. Combs also treats non-athletes who suffered a head injury from work, home, or motor vehicle accidents. As a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Combs offers sports psychology services. She spent a two-year fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's leading concussion clinic.

Fun fact: Dr. Combs speaks two languages and is a dog mom of a German Shepherd/Red Heeler mix named Tumble.

Jordan Stone is currently the 605 Strong Specialist at the Helpline Center. She is also a seminary student and completed an internship at the VA as their student chaplain. When she isn’t working, Jordan is a trained ETS volunteer for NAMI  SD and enjoys time adventuring and hanging out with her dog Bean.