About Us

Mission

Bringing young professionals together to strengthen Sioux Falls through civic, social and leadership opportunities.

About Us

Sioux Falls Synergy is not your typical networking group. We do more than just shake hands and exchange business cards. The Synergy environment is one where people feel comfortable communicating their ideas, helping out, and embracing leadership roles within the organization. Members are given the opportunity to get involved, make a difference and have influence within the Sioux Falls community through three different tiers: Civic, Social, and Professional Development.

Our members are dynamic and innovative. Synergy attracts a wide variety of professions such as: teachers, doctors, attorneys, bankers, and accountants. Most of our members are in the first 10 years of their career and are looking to build relationships with other young professionals. The relationships our members establish today will be the business, philanthropic, and social framework of tomorrow’s Sioux Falls.

We are autonomous and run entirely by volunteers. Sioux Falls Synergy members can join a committee and immediately have an impact on our success. Whether you want to help others grow professionally, share your insights on current events, or help raise money to benefit a worthy cause, Synergy provides you with the resources and support to make it happen.

History

Sioux Falls Synergy is the innovation of six twenty- and thirty-something, community-minded young professionals who believed Sioux Falls needed a way for their peers to come together to network, volunteer and become connected to the city.

The first stage of development began when Cindy Elifrits, a transfer to Sioux Falls, wanted to get involved in the community and meet other young people with similar goals. At the time there no such organization, so she brought together a group of five other established Sioux Falls young professionals who wanted the same thing. This team of six built the Three Tier concept from a model Cindy had been a part of in a similar community and revamped the model to fit the style and needs of Sioux Falls.

In December 2005 conversations began and on May 11, 2006 Sioux Falls Synergy was launched.

Over the past 4 years, more than 350 young professionals have joined. During that time Sioux Falls Synergy has hosted more than 80 events! Some of which are:

The Three Tiers

Knowing that each person is looking for a different experience, an individual may engage themselves in one aspect of the organization, or become involved in each tier.

Professional Development- Professional Development events connect Synergy Members with leaders in Sioux Falls’ business and political communities.
Social- Social events connect Synergy members with other members and non-members in social settings, while helping to foster and develop long-term personal and professional relationships. Events also offer access to new and unique venues throughout the city.
Civic- Civic events provide Synergy members and non-members with access to volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations in need.

Meet the Executive Committee

Ashley Deniger

Ashley grew up in Brookings, SD where she graduated from Brookings High School in 1997. She moved to Sioux Falls in 2002 after graduating from SDSU with a degree in Business Economics. While working for the City of Sioux Falls Finance department, Ashley obtained her MBA from the University of South Dakota. Ashley is currently a Financial Analyst for Avera McKennan.

In her spare time, Ashley coaches Girls on the Run and is a mentor in the Sioux Falls School District. She also likes to spend time with friends and family, travel, and attend concerts and sporting events.

Cindy Elifrits

Cindy Elifrits moved to Sioux Falls in 2005 after completing her Masters in Social Work from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. While attending school full-time, Cindy was a part of the United Way of the Midlands staff. Prior to living in Omaha, Nebraska, Cindy lived in St. Cloud, Minnesota and worked at United Way of Central Minnesota as their Resource Development Manager and later as their Community Impact Manager. Cindy graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2000 with a degree in social work.

Currently, Cindy is the Resource Development Director for the Sioux Empire United Way. When not working, Cindy likes to volunteer, watch football, attend concerts, and play tennis and volleyball.

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Johnson moved to Sioux Falls in 1998. Before moving here she was a Business Advisor in Kenya for the Peace Corp. Jennifer recieved her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. Currently, Jennifer is a Personal Banker at Security National Bank of South Dakota. She likes to do outdoor activities, be with her family and friends and volunteer in the Sioux Falls community.

Kent Peterson

Kent Peterson has been a financial adviser with his family firm, Garry Associates, LLP, since 2004. Kent’s primary areas of concentration include financial planning for young families and professionals, asset accumulation for pre-retirees, and family business planning with a specialty in agricultural markets.

Kent earned his B.S. in Business Administration from The University of South Dakota in 2003, and his Masters Degree in Business Administration, also from The University of South Dakota, in 2004. He is involved in several organizations in the Sioux Falls area, including the Sioux Empire United Way, Sioux Falls Synergy, and the Sioux Falls Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. In his free time Kent enjoys golfing, snow skiing and spending time on the Peterson family farm near Salem.

Brad Edwards

Brad Edwards grew up in Sioux Falls where he graduated form Washington High School in 1998. Brad attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD and Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI) in Watertown, SD where he took the position of Director of Multimedia. After working for LATI for 3 years Brad moved back to Sioux Falls, SD and began working in Advertising & Marketing for Paulsen Marketing as a Front-end Web Developer. Brad recently began working as the Director of Web & Interactive Media for Vision Video Interactive in Sioux Falls. In his spare time Brad enjoys snowboarding, skating, wake boarding and time with family and friends.

Braden Smidt

Braden Smidt grew up in Menno, SD where he graduated from Menno Public High School in 2000. Braden attended South Dakota State University and graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science in 2004. He joined the staff at George Boom Funeral Home in 2004.

Braden enjoys spending time at the river near Pickstown, SD with his friends and family, golfing, playing basketball, attending concerts and watching the Chicago Cubs.

Stuart H. Webber

After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Stuart worked in the hospitality industry two years before moving to the Sioux Falls area. He is currently the Manager of Corporate Sales for the Sioux Falls Convention Center. He enjoys, skiing, camping, cycling, and most other forms of outdoor recreation.