Susan Randall, Ph.D. - Executive Director:
Susan Randall has been executive director of South Dakota Voices for Children since 1999. Her professional career prior to that includes 10 years in nonprofit management, fundraising and administration; 2 years as elected city commissioner in Sioux Falls (1986 to 1988);12 years as a college sociology professor (10 of which were at Augustana College, Sioux Falls); two years as a legislative researcher (Massachusetts General Court); and two years as a high school English and speech teacher (Centerville, SD).

Susan grew up in Dell Rapids, South Dakota and has a BA degree from Augustana College, an M.A. from Boston College, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Boston University. She can be reached by e-mail at srandall@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Greg Boris, Ed.D. - Senior Policy and Program Specialist:
Greg has served as Voices' senior policy and program specialist since 2006. His career has centered on children, first as a teacher and administrator in the Sioux Falls School District and later on the faculty of the University of South Dakota.

Greg received his bachelor's degree in English and linguistics from Northwestern University, his masters in special education from Augustana College, and his doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota. Contact Greg at gregb@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Betsy Rice, MSJ - Communications Specialist:
Since 2003, Betsy has been Voices' communications specialist. Before that she held a variety of jobs at the Aberdeen American News, including editorial writer, columnist, city editor and associate editor. She was also public relations director for Northern State University and Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

Betsy received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State University; her Master of Science in Journalism was granted by Northwestern University. Contact her at betsyr@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Megan Larson, M.Ed. - Black Hills Coordinator
Megan joined the Voices' team as Black Hills Coordinator in March 2010. She has served several roles within non-profit, youth-serving organizations as well as taught in school districts.

In addition to her varied experiences and environments with children, Megan has facilitated parent groups and taught early childhood professionals at the college level. She has been involved in many Black Hills Area professional groups and has held a variety of leadership positions at the state and regional levels.

Megan received a Masters degree in Education with emphasis in early childhood education from the University of Minnesota. Contact her at meganl@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Suzanne Merchant - Office Coordinator:
Suzanne moved to Sioux Falls from Excelsior MN in early 2006, and began her work as office coordinator for Voices in April that year. Her family published a weekly newspaper in southwestern Minnesota, where she worked summers as a student. She then spent eight years after college as a typesetter and proof reader.

Suzanne studied early childhood education at the University of Minnesota and Rochester Technical Institute, and worked as an administrative assistant at St. David's Preschool & Family Services in Minnetonka for six years. Prior to her move to South Dakota, she was employed as a production coordinator for a commercial landscaper in Victoria. She may be reached at office@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Pam DeVries, BSBA - Bookkeeper:
Since February 2010, Pam has been Voices’ bookkeeper. Before that she held a variety of accounting and customer service jobs including Mix Bookkeeping & Tax, AvailAbility Employment Services, New Horizons Computer Learning Center and Sunshine Foods. She is also the accounting assistant for Hoogendoorn Construction.

Pam received a Bachelor of Science in business administration degree from the University of South Dakota. Contact her at accounting@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Erin Bofenkamp, MPA - South Dakota Afterschool Partnership Director:
Erin joined the Voices’ team as the Director of the South Dakota Afterschool Partnership in May 2010. Since 2002 she has worked with non-profit programs in South Dakota and Minnesota focused on college access for all and service-learning.

Erin received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota. Contact her at erinb@sdvoicesforchildren.org.

Joy Smolnisky, MA, BS - South Dakota Budget & Policy Project Director:
Joy is currently the director of the South Dakota Budget & Policy Project. She previously held the position of senior policy and program specialist at South Dakota Voices for Children. Before joining Voices, Joy worked as both an educator and an administrator in the field of medical information administration.

Joy received her Bachelor of Science degree in health information administration from the University of Illinois. She was granted a Master of Arts degree from Augustana College for her studies in biomedical ethics. Contact her at joys@sdbudgetandpolicyproject.org.

2012 INTERNS

Sheila Johnson MSW Student University of South Dakota