Aug. 20, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Clara MacIlravie Canas, a grant writer II at Avera Health.

Name: Clara MacIlravie Canas

Age: 27

Hometown: Gillette, Wyoming

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I moved to Sioux Falls two weeks after I graduated with my master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

When I moved East River after completing my undergraduate degree in Spearfish, I wasn’t thinking of Sioux Falls as my long-term home, but over the last two years, I’ve started to think of Sioux Falls as a place where I want to stay. Over the past year, I have built a strong circle of friends, and the relationships and opportunities that I’ve discovered while living here makes Sioux Falls the perfect choice for me. I miss my family a lot, but the airport offers direct flights at reasonable prices, allowing me to easily visit my family. Finally, I truly enjoy my job and working with a passionate network of health care professionals.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I feel inspired during my daily commutes to work, and I look forward to working with a group of highly skilled and passionate individuals, all committed to making real differences in the lives and health of everyone. Crafting and writing innovative programs aimed at enhancing health care access in rural and underserved areas gives me a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I have always had a passion for writing and storytelling. I used to write short stories with my grandma as a kid and dreamt of sharing my writing with others someday. After graduating from Black Hills State University, I pursued a master’s of English literature at the University of South Dakota. While working as a graduate English instructor teaching composition and literature classes, I discovered that my interests and strengths are more suited to writing than teaching. I began applying for various roles in marketing, technical writing and editing in my final semester and eventually landed a position in grant writing at Avera.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Compassionate. Innovative. Exciting.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a published poet in several literary journals, and I shook hands with Elton John in 2014.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

As someone whose family emigrated from El Salvador and learning about their lived experiences and sacrifices, I strongly believe in dedicating my time toward volunteer efforts and community organizations that help provide resources and services to underserved and marginalized citizens. The Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network, Leaders of Tomorrow and other organizations in town have helped connect me to groups and organizations working toward a more inclusive, welcoming community.

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

I would love to see a Chicken N Pickle! It’s an indoor/outdoor entertainment sports bar complex with pickleball courts, cornhole boards, shuffleboard, pingpong and more. I visited with my sister the last time I visited my family in Texas, and it’d be a fun business venture in Sioux Falls.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

I would buy a farm outside of Sioux Falls and build an animal sanctuary and cafe called Paws and Perks. People of all ages could spend time with animals in a safe and supervised environment. The cafe could have a section for small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs and a separate area for cats and dogs. All of the food and drinks would be animal themed, of course. There would be designated play areas for pets and visitors and activities such as pet-themed movie nights, animal-themed art classes and pet training sessions. I’d also have a garden on the premises where visitors can learn about sustainable gardening, cooking nutritious foods and gardening workshops.