July 9, 2024

A longtime leader in the philanthropic community has been named the new CEO of Sioux Empire United Way.

Lisa Romkema will lead the organization’s 10-person team and hundreds of volunteers.

She most recently served as a consultant at Maximizing Excellence and previously worked in development and philanthropy roles at Sanford Health and Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons.

Romkema spent 2010 to 2015 at Sioux Empire United Way as a campaign director.

“The organization is incredible, and for me, United Way is really what helped me find my passion for philanthropy, for that as a career. I just have always loved what United Way provides in the community and the opportunities to give back in so many different ways.”

Her combination of experiences means “I feel like I can bring enough of what I know from the time I was here and the relationships in the community and also new, fresh ideas from having been in other organizations, so I’m just really excited to do that,” she said.

Romkema begins her new role July 29. She succeeds Alan Turner II, who resigned early this year. Turner was hired in 2022 with the retirement of longtime leader Jay Powell. Retired banking executive Pam Hanneman has served as interim president and also has a 25-year history with the organization in board and volunteer roles.

“The Sioux Empire United Way board is thrilled to welcome Lisa Romkema as the next president and CEO,” Hanneman said. “Her extensive fundraising experience, strong connections to the nonprofit and business communities and strategic mindset make her an excellent fit.”

Sioux Empire United Way’s most recent annual campaign raised $9 million, 95 percent of its goal and enough to fund 75 programs throughout the community.

“The impact of the Sioux Empire United Way on our community is incredibly beneficial,” said Kate Kotzea, board chair.

“I am excited to see Lisa continue to foster and build relationships within our nonprofit and business communities. Her extensive campaign experience will elevate and strengthen our strategies, ensuring that SEUW raises the necessary funds each year to meet community needs.”

Romkema’s initial priorities will include “diving deep into the relationships and the organizations that have been supported for a number of years, reconnecting with volunteers who are so important to the campaign and just really getting to know the staff and the team here,” she said. “I’m just excited to get started and be able to run alongside them.”

The team, board members and more than 800 volunteers are preparing to kick off another campaign, she said.

Those typically begin in early fall and continue until the following January.

Sioux Empire United Way continues “to look for new opportunities to educate our community about our growing and changing needs as we serve children, people in crisis and vulnerable adults,” Hanneman said.

“Our community is united in making a difference in people’s lives. It takes all of us from volunteering and to giving financially to make this happen.”

As community needs continue to grow, the organization is evolving, Kotzea added. “With Lisa stepping in as CEO and the dedicated SEUW team, the sky’s the limit in what we can achieve together.”