July 11, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Ally Brandner, a senior legislative affairs specialist at Sanford Health.

Name: Ally Brandner

Age: 26

Hometown: Tea

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

Growing up right outside of Sioux Falls, I have always considered the area home. A lot of people laugh when I tell them I am from Tea. I usually get a response along the lines of “Tea is pretty much Sioux Falls now!”

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

There are endless opportunities for young professionals to grow here, which is evident by the support from our business community and leaders. The passion and enthusiasm so many in our community have for our city is what truly makes it hard to want to live anywhere else. I love how small it feels here, yet everyone is looking for opportunities to grow Sioux Falls and make it even more enjoyable.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I have always had a passion for health care, the people who provide care and the patients receiving care. The role government and policy plays in the health care arena is greater than most would realize. My favorite part of my job is learning from and collaborating with front-line caregivers and industry experts to advance policy solutions.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I always knew I wanted to end up in health care in some capacity. While getting a degree in biology at South Dakota State University, I started to get more involved and driven by government and policy. I spent two summers interning at the Sanford Health Plan in the compliance department. I then spent my last semester interning for the South Dakota State Legislature in Pierre. These opportunities gave me a first look into how the two industries intersected.

After graduating from SDSU, I had the opportunity to spend several months in Washington, D.C., interning for Rep. Dusty Johnson. I was able to then appreciate how advocacy and legislation at the federal level was also critical to the health care industry. I eventually found my way back to Sanford Health on the government relations team. It is such a privilege to be able to work on solutions each day to advance quality health care for our community.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Passionate. Innovative. Engaging.

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

 I grew up riding horse and used to show in 4-H. I still enjoy horseback riding and the entertainment of making my friends get on a horse for the first time!

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

Getting involved and being open to learning new ways to give back. I enjoy serving on the Young Professionals Network steering committee and collaborating on ways to promote the future of our community. Another awesome experience was serving on the Furniture Mission capital campaign steering committee. This was my first time participating in a community appeals campaign, and the process and experience was eye-opening and rewarding.

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

Of course, Trader Joe’s!

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

Some type of investigative/detective agency. Most that know me know I love a good true-crime documentary or new “Dateline” episode.