01/20/2026
I’ve always struggled with wondering if I was “good enough”. No matter what room I’m in, part of me will always be that farm girl who graduated with 10 kids from a small town in rural South Dakota. When I went off to college I remember feeling out-classed and out-experienced by kids from big cities with big connections.
But what I’ve learned throughout the years is that being from rural South Dakota is actually my superpower. I was raised by parents who taught me hard work and resilience. In a community that valued service. In a church family that taught me Faith and Hope. I had an education that pushed me to ask questions, find answers, and never stop learning. I was surrounded by friends that got me into just enough trouble to round out the whole thing.
So for this sometimes awkward, sometimes filter-less girl who just “really likes people and brains” to be invited by the First Lady Sandy Rhoden to the Governor’s Mansion for the inaugural South Dakota Rising Luncheon, well, let me tell you, this was a THING.
I sat at that table surrounded by people doing extraordinary things for our state. To my left, Roger and Vicki Musick, who gave over $33 MILLION to education. Across from me sat Terry Sabers who came out of retirement to tackle affordable housing. And Angela Fisk who is a powerhouse volunteer and community organizer. To top it off, to my right sat Governor Larry Rhoden and across the table was our First Lady Sandy Rhoden.
We all shared stories about our backgrounds and connected because of our passion for making our South Dakota communities stronger. It wasn’t a day for politics, so hopefully your political views can be set aside to appreciate what this day was …a day to celebrate people seeing a need and doing something about it.
What that day reminded me is this: you don’t have to be the smartest or most polished person in the room. You just have to care deeply and be willing to act.
That’s what we are doing at Minds Matter PLLC. We keep fighting for brain health, especially in rural communities, and proving that where you come from doesn’t limit the impact you can have.
I am asking a favor….if this story resonates with you, I’d love to keep this momentum going. We use social media to educate on brain health and to let you know about upcoming speaking events.
Can you please Like, Follow or Share this post to help me increase awareness of brain health and our work at Minds Matter PLLC? I hate it when someone comes up to me and says “I wish I’d known about you earlier…”. Also, if you're a therapist on a mission to make a difference, reach out to me to see if we can work together to keep Minds Matter's impact growing.
I am grateful for this community more than you know. Thanks for being part of the journey! At least 40% of dementia PREVENTABLE. But in a state full of hard workers, I think we can do even better than that!!!
Here is a “photo dump” from the South Dakota Rising Luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. (P.S. Ben Hoeft - we missed you! GO Tigers wrestling!!!!)
Aberdeen Development Corporation
