June 1, 2021

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Teresa Pick, director of human resources at Children’s Home Society.

Name: Teresa Pick

Age: 32

Hometown: Luverne, Minn.

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

After graduating from the University of South Dakota, I was job searching and wanted to live and work in a community I was familiar with, so I started applying for jobs in Sioux Falls, where I was able to get my first job out of college at Great Western Bank.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I feel like Sioux Falls is a smaller yet bigger community. It has a lot to offer from a large variety of restaurants, fitness centers, activities and concerts.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I have a passion for helping people, so having the opportunity to support the employees at Children’s Home Society so they can focus on the important work they do is very fulfilling. There are a lot of new and progressive initiatives that we’re developing and implementing at CHS that will have a positive impact on employees, which is fun to be part of.

How did you get connected to your industry?

Human resources is about people, and I wanted to work in an industry that has an impact on people, so the human services industry is exactly where I want to be. I’m blown away by the passion and heart that every person who works in this industry has.

Describe Children’s Home Society in three words.

Sincere. Selfless. Welcoming.

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

When I was 29 years old, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Typically, people are diagnosed as a juvenile, so being able to live a “normal” life for 29 years and then having my life flip upside down was really hard. It’s made me learn a lot about myself and made me a lot stronger person. I enjoy talking to people about type 1 diabetes to help educate my family, friends and community about the disease.

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

I enjoy attending charity and fundraiser events around the community to educate myself on different organizations and support them through monetary donations or volunteer my time to support their mission.

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

I’m a huge dog lover! I have a 2-year-old yellow lab named Norm that I like to take on walks or take swimming to let him get his energy out. I’d love to see more dog parks or an outdoor/indoor amusement park for dogs. I’m not sure if this exists anywhere, but it would be a cool concept to explore!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself continuing to work in human resources where I’d like to move forward initiatives such as diversity, equity and inclusion. The pandemic and other national issues have brought forward a host of changes in the workforce, and I’m excited to be part of the movement of change. Personally, I enjoy traveling and would like to check a few more places off my bucket list.