Volunteering leads to community engagement role for ACLU associate

Oct. 16, 2018

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kadyn Wittman, community engagement associate at the ACLU of South Dakota.

Name: Kadyn Wittman

Age: 27

Hometown: Willmar, Minn.

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I came to Sioux Falls to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Augustana University.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I’ve been connected with many communities over the years. Sioux Falls has so much diversity when it comes to entertainment, fitness, food and philanthropy.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

An extrovert to my core, I’ve always found my strengths lie in interpersonal connection and communication. My position within the ACLU gives me the freedom to interact with our community on a personal level at events like Pride, Juneteenth and the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival. I love attending these events and representing the ACLU while I meet community members face-to-face. It’s so important that we at the ACLU interact with the people whose rights we are working to protect on a daily basis, as well as empower them to take action and defend their own rights. I recently created a statewide volunteer program to connect with marginalized communities and teach about the work we do and how they can help make a difference.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I was a volunteer with the ACLU for years before I landed this job. I spent time tabling with the organization at community events like Pride and volunteered at the annual benefit Cheers to Liberty. I always knew I wanted to work for an organization that was creating real change, but the nonprofit world is small and can take a long time to break into. I was fortunate to get my foot in the door through the ACLU’s volunteer opportunities.

Describe ACLU of South Dakota in three words.

Dedicated, compassionate, tireless.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

This may seem random, but I would really like to see a rock-climbing gym open up in Sioux Falls!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully still in Sioux Falls, collaborating with other change-makers to elevate our city as high as possible.

Want to stay in the know?

Get our free business news delivered to your inbox.



Volunteering leads to community engagement role for ACLU associate

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Kadyn Wittman, community engagement associate at the ACLU of South Dakota.

News Tip

Have a business news item to share with us?

Scroll to top