MEET THE TEAM
Supporting South Dakota's Students
Made possible by the generosity of First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard, the State of South Dakota under the leadership of Governor Kristi Noem, Avera Health and Sanford Health, this public-private partnership has created the state’s largest financial need-based scholarship. The Freedom Scholarship is managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation and is in an endowment that will continue to provide scholarships in perpetuity.
Board Members
After its creation in 2021, Governor Kristi Noem appointed inaugural board members to help spearhead and support Freedom Scholarship endowment efforts.
Miles Beacom
CEO of PREMIER Bankcard
Phyllis Heineman
Former Educator
Diana VanderWoude
System Vice President of Learning and Development for Sanford Health
Dana Dykhouse
CEO of First PREMIER Bank
Chris Houwman
CEO and President of Malloy Electric
Scholarship Staff
Dedicated employees help us facilitate the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Fund.
Elli Haerter
South Dakota Freedom Scholarship Coordinator
Brandy Drew
Scholarship Program Specialist
Generous Donors
The Freedom Scholarship wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of donors who believe in South Dakota’s future. With more than $225 million in commitments, the Freedom Scholarship Fund will continue to grow in perpetuity for the success of our students and our state.
- The state of South Dakota led by Governor Kristi Noem
- Denny Sanford
- First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard
- Avera
- Sanford Health
- Private Donors