July 18, 2023

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Siera Christianson, executive assistant to Mayor Paul TenHaken.

Name: Siera Christianson

Age: 27

Hometown: Sioux Falls

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

My mom’s job.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

The community and career opportunities. Sioux Falls has so much to offer for different options to get involved and grow as a professional.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

As it relates to my role, my favorite thing is being able to identify and fill varying gaps in a team, but my favorite thing about working for the city is learning about all the moving pieces of the city and what our residents care about.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I reached out to an old colleague and friend who was working at Sanford to see if they’d be willing to be a reference for me for an HR operational role, and they asked me if I’d want to work for them instead. We talked about the role, which was a senior administrative role at the time, and it seemed like a great opportunity! I quickly grew with my executive into an executive assistant role.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Service-oriented, innovative, inclusive.

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

When I was younger, I got accepted into the Miss South Dakota pageant. I backed out for a multitude of reasons, but in another life, I could have been Miss South Dakota!

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

My passion for giving back is through youth mentorship. I believe mentoring can make a significant difference in a child’s life, offering them valuable insight, encouragement and a positive role model to help shape their future.

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

I am a huge supporter of local businesses, so I’d rather see something new and local pop up as opposed to a chain. I love spaces that create opportunity for connection, whether that be with yourself or other people, so I am always a fan of local coffee shops and collaborative spaces.

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

I’d start something finance-related focused on serving young adults. In my earlier 20s, I realized that most people at my age at the time didn’t have the same knowledge and discipline around financial resources and weren’t setting themselves up for success early enough. An entirely different idea would be a gifting business. I love putting together baskets to brighten people’s day!