Meet the Board

If you are interested in joining the New Directions team, please use the form on this page!

I joined the board in 2014. I wanted to become actively involved in the Down Syndrome community and connect with others who had shared experiences. I also think the role of an organization like New Directions is so important; I wanted to be a part of that and contribute to helping people.

My family- Wife – Emma, Daughters – Norah (15), and Ruby (12) who has Down Syndrome.

I am a Math Teacher, Librarian, and Activities Director at West Sioux High School in Hawarden, IA. I enjoy woodworking, attending sporting events, and binge watching good shows. 

I am excited about the new look of the Buddy Walk, and hope to have more events throughout the year.  

If you are interested in joining the New Directions team, please use the form on this page!

I live in Sioux Falls with my husband, Jared, and three children Natalie (9), Isabella (4), and Lucas (4). Our son Lucas was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth. I am a Registered Nurse and work at Universal Pediatrics and Dakota Dermatolgoy, both as needed. I also recently became an Executive Realtor Assistant for Shaina Goedtke with Keller Williams. Down Syndrome connected the two of us as Shaina has a daughter, Kenzie, who also has Down Syndrome.

I joined the board in March 2023. I joined the board because I am passionate about meeting other families within the Down Syndrome community. I believe that supporting each other and highlighting community events, no matter the organization is vital for the families living here. My goals are to create more opportunities for families to meet and support one another. I decided to take the leap and join the New directions board after serving as a committee member for a non profit called Rare by Design. I have been an active committee member the last year and a half and helped with their yearly fundraising event. It really helped me gain confidence in doing more for our community.

When I am not working and serving, I enjoy the outdoors. Hiking, water activities, star gazing, it’s all fun. I have hiked the Grand Canyon, the Narrows, and Bryce Canyon with many more on my bucket list to do! I truly believe that nothing can stop a driven mind.

Joined:2023

I was born and raised in Brookings, studied at NYU, and returned home where I met my husband, Jay, in 2013.  We relocated to Sioux Falls five years ago.  Previously I did administrative work for a small company, but made the switch to being a stay at home mom when Owen was born.   Our home has two boys, Skye, aged 12, and Owen, aged 1.5.  We also have a dog, and a cat.  You can usually find us either at Skye’s sporting events or out enjoying the state parks with our dog and the boys.

Our introduction to the Down syndrome community was with our youngest, who had a birth diagnosis.  We were initially concerned for his heart and oxygen needs; we closed his PDA in the cath lab when he was seven months old and the rest of Owen’s recovery has been all his own.  He is quite resilient and is all toddler these days.

Joined: 2023

If you are interested in joining the New Directions team, please use the form on this page!

My husband Christopher and I live in Brandon, SD with our 3 boys. Ivan(9), Warrior(6, w/DS), and Landon(3). We also have a 3 year-old pit bull mix named Rocket and a 4 year-old guinea pig named Ernie.

I am a home care Pediatric RN, BSN and work for Interim Healthcare as needed. I’m also the Chairperson of The South Dakota Council On Developmental Disabilities, a board member on the South Dakota Services for the Deaf Foundation, the LEND Parent Trainee for the 2023-2024 academic school year, a LEND “Mom”, a licensed foster care Mom, a proud graduate of the year 28 Partners in Policymaking Class, and a Heart to Heart Adoptions Birth Mother Mentor.

In my spare time I love to watch my favorite TV shows, listen to music and read.

I joined the board in November of 2023. I joined the board because I am passionate about advocacy, education, and creating awareness about the diagnosis of Down Syndrome.
Joined: 2023

If you are interested in joining the New Directions team, please use the form on this page!

If you are interested in joining the New Directions team, please use the form on this page!

My name is Emily but most people call me ‘Emma’. I live on a small piece of the prairie with my husband, Roger, and son, Keaton. I have lived in Sioux Falls since late 2006.

I left the “corporate” world in 2023 to give my full attention to building my freelance writing and editing business that I started in 2018. Before I became self-employed, I worked alongside individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives. After 14 years of full-time work in ID/DD, I now have the pleasure of spending “fun time” with those same people, building relationships together in our communities. 

Although I’m on the “other side” of 40, I’m a kid at heart! I love learning new things, listening to jazz music, playing card and board games, and reading. I’m thrilled to be part of New Directions and am excited to do what I can to further the mission!