Feb. 3, 2026

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Sydney Cowan, the manager of marketing and events at Junior Achievement of South Dakota.

Name: Sydney Cowan

Age: 28

Hometown: Highmore

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

After graduating from SDSU, I accepted a position with a startup ag-tech company in Sioux Falls. I commuted from Brookings for about six months before finally deciding to make the move — just two months before COVID hit!

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The opportunities, the relationships and the community. Sioux Falls is rapidly growing, with exciting new businesses, events and experiences popping up all the time.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite part of my job is seeing the difference JA experiences make for students. It’s incredible to watch them gain confidence, learn new skills and get excited about their future. I also love working with our passionate volunteers and community partners who make these experiences possible. It’s inspiring to see the impact we create together.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I often think back to something my grandma told me a few years ago: ‘I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.’ I started my career in the agriculture industry, eventually found my way into nonprofit work, and I’m really loving it. I’ve realized that my true ‘industry’ is all about connecting with people and fostering connections that strengthen our community.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Collaborative, impactful, community.

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

I grew up on a farm and ranch, and my favorite part was helping mama cows in labor deliver their calves.

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

I may be a little biased, but volunteering with JA has truly become my favorite way to give back. Over the past two years, I’ve had the joy of teaching some of my younger cousins, and it’s been incredibly meaningful to step into their classrooms and share life skills they’ll carry with them forever.

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

The Cheesecake Factory! I love cheesecake!

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

My idea is a farm-to-table cafe paired with a small-scale farming and ranching operation, where customers can see the full journey of their food: how it’s grown, how animals are cared for and how produce is harvested and packaged. Growing up on a ranch, I’m passionate about locally sourced, high-quality food that consumers can trust and fully appreciate.