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ABOUT
CHS

About Children's Home Society of South Dakota

The mission of Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is to prevent, treat and heal trauma. From our founding in 1896 as the state’s first nonprofit social service agency, we have cared for thousands of children and families. Our goal is a world that stands up to trauma where all people are safe, healthy and resilient.

 

CHS Executive Leadership

To reach a member of the Executive Team, please contact jennifer.byers@CHSSD.org.

Michelle Lavallee
Chief Executive Officer

Sioux Falls

Michelle’s hometown is Huron, and she continues...

Jennifer Byers
Chief of Staff
Allison Sanderson
Chief Operating Officer

Sioux Falls

Allison came to CHS as a leader in Human...

Shannon Clark
Chief Financial Officer

Sioux Falls

Shannon grew up in Huron. She and her husband,...

Jon Mammenga
Chief Philanthropy Officer

Sioux Falls

Jon grew up in Marion and currently lives in...

Mark Niemeyer
Chief Administration Officer

Sioux Falls

Boards of Directors

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota is governed by a board of directors, who are elected for three-year terms. 

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John S. "Jack" Marsh

Board Chair
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Amy Koenig

Board Vice Chair
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Deb Soholt

Immediate Past Chair
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Sally Anderson

Honorary Member
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Matt Benne

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John S. "Jack" Marsh

Board Chair
Sioux Falls, SD
Occupation:Co-Founder/Co-Chair, South Dakota News Watch

Lifelong journalist Jack Marsh, a retired media and foundation executive, is a 2020 inductee in the South Dakota Hall of Fame, honored for his commitment to excellence, truth, ethics, human rights and diversity. Jack has been recognized with distinguished service and lifetime achievement awards from the Native American Journalists Association, South Dakota Newspaper Association, University of South Dakota and Pi Lambda Phi. Jack was taken as a hunka (adopted) brother by the Hunkpapa Lakota on the Standing Rock Reservation in 2015. He is co-founder of South Dakota News Watch and has served on multiple nonprofit boards. He is past chair of News Watch, Sioux Falls Board of Ethics, Face It TOGETHER and the Elimination of Prejudice Foundation. Jack is a native of New York and earned a BA from Baldwin Wallace University. He and his wife, Betty, a retired school counselor, have two daughters, Dr. Elizabeth Jensen of Garretson, SD, and Colleen Olson of Kansas City, MO, and seven grandchildren.
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Amy Koenig

Board Vice Chair
Rapid City, SD

Occupation: VP - Governance, Corporate Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, Black Hills Corporation

Amy is VP—Governance, Corporate Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, Black Hills Corporation. She is a member of the South Dakota State Bar, the Wyoming State Bar, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Society of Governance Professionals and the National Association of Corporate Directors. She is a certified governance professional and serves as an advisor for the Women in Leadership Program at the University of North Dakota. Amy’s hometown is Yankton, SD. She earned a BS in ChemE at South Dakota Mines, and a JD from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Amy has two children: Mason and Ellie.

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Deb Soholt

Immediate Past Chair
Sioux Falls, SD

Occupation: Registered Nurse, Fmr. SD State Senator, Retired Healthcare Director

Lifelong registered nurse and leader in healthcare, Deb is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. In 2021 she finished her eight-year term as a South Dakota State Senator from District 14 where she initiated Jolene’s Law Task Force and led the development and funding for the SD Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment. She was co-chair of the Healthcare Innovation Task Force for the National Conference of State Legislatures. Deb has served on numerous boards, such as SF Chamber, SD Board of Nursing, SD Nurses Association, SDSU Council of Trustees, Women in Balance, Ronald McDonald House and the University of Sioux Falls Center for Women. Deb’s hometown is Mayville, ND. She earned her BSN from the University of North Dakota and an MSN from South Dakota State University. She and her husband, Jerry, have three adult children: Josh, Sam, and Molly, and four grandchildren: Jake, Maya, Brooke, and Morgan.

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Sally Anderson

Honorary Member
Mesquite, TX

Sally and her husband, Ken, live in Mesquite, TX. They have five adult children. Sally is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a BA in Journalism. Sally is the great-great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Bixby Sherrard, Children’s Home Society’s founder, and as such holds an honorary seat on the Children’s Home Society Board of Directors.

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Matt Benne

Rapid City, SD

Occupation: Owner/Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings

Matt is the Owner/Manager of Buffalo Wild Wings in Rapid City, SD. His hometown is Rapid City and he graduated from Augustana University with a degree in Business Administration. Matt and his wife, Sarah, have three children: Ezra, Lane and Reagan. He has volunteered with Special Olympics and enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, skiing and anything in the outdoors.

Children's Home Foundation Board of Directors

The Children’s Home Foundation board of directors oversees the philanthropic arm of Children’s Home Society.

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Children's Home Society
of South Dakota

Administration
605.334.6004
801 N Sycamore Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57110

PO Box 1749
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1749