Meet Our Team
We are a multifaceted team, devoted to increasing awareness of the world around us!
Contact Us:
SDDC, 805 West Sioux Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 224-8295 | info@sd-discovery.org
Please note: our regular summer business hours (May 1-August 31) are Monday-Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm, and Sunday, 1:00pm-5:00 pm; our regular winter business hours (September 1-April 30) Sundays and Tuesday-Friday from 1:00pm-5:00pm.
Our Team:
Anne Lewis, Interim Executive Director/Grant Programs Director
Education:
- Masters of Arts in Education: Natural Science and Environmental Education
- National Geographic Education Fellow (2019 cohort)
Community Involvement:
- Zonta Club of Pierre/Fort Pierre, member
- GLOBE US Partner Forum, representative and chair
What I do:
I work at the intersection of people, science and the environment. My passion is connecting people - educators, students, and community members - to the outdoors for exploration and discovery. One of my favorite things to do is to facilitate professional development for educators that includes field studies, whether it is three days in Badlands National Park or half an hour in the parking lot looking at what is there. I am excited about MacroBlitz, a project developed in cooperation with National Geographic, to empower people to find and photograph aquatic macroinvertebrates and upload those photos to iNaturalist to support science and learning.
Jennifer McIntyre, Marketing & Development Director
Education:
- Certificate in Fund Raising Management (The Fund Raising School, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy)
- Masters of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution, Arcadia University
- Bachelor of Arts in History, University of South Dakota
Community Involvement:
- Rotary Club of Pierre-Fort Pierre, membership committee co-chair
- South Dakota Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (South Dakota Community Foundation / Numad Group) | 2022-2023 cohort
What I Do:
I help build a strong foundation for the SDDC to build from through relationships with our community, partner organizations, and granting institutions and help keep the public informed and engaged with SDDC programs, activities, and mission.
Allison Graviett-Pfaff, Exhibit Hall Manager
Education:
- Associate of Arts in Pre-Education, Secondary Education, History emphasis, (Mineral Area College, Park Hills, MO)
- South Dakota Honey Production Education Institute Certification (Edmunds Central School District, Roscoe, SD)
- Get Grant Ready Certificate (nonprofitready.org, online)
Community Involvement:
- T.F. Riggs Emerald Regiment Colorguard Coach | 2022-2024
What I Do:
I work diligently on multiple projects to keep visitors safe, our Exhibit Hall fun, and our SDDC Store stocked! I also create or fix exhibits, manage volunteers & Visitor Service Associates (VSAs), and generally keep the gears turning around our SDDC Homebase!
Anna Arch, Content Manager
- Pierre Players Community Theater
What I Do:
I oversee and manage the creation, development, and distribution of content for various platforms and channels to inform and delight our audiences!
Kristine Heinen, STEM Educator
Education:
- Bachelor of Science, Biology emphasis (University of Montana-Western, Dillon, MT)
What I do:
I inspire curiosity in people of all types. I love to see that sparkle in people’s eye when they find inspiration and find new opportunities.
Raegan Kleinpeter, STEM Educator
Education:
- Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education (University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA)
Community Involvement:
- SCA - Resident of Shire of Coldernhale since September 2023
What I do:
I encourage people to find a way to make our world better by looking outside of the box for answers.
Educator
John Kent, Facility & Visitor Service Assistant
Education:
- American Military University
Community Involvement:
- Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA)
- Pierre Area Center for Equality (PACE)
What I Do:
I make a visitor's trip to the SDDC engaging, safe, and fun!
Brenden Jannusch, Marketing & Visitor Service Associate
Education:
- Intro to Digital Photography - Anoka Ramsey Community College
- Digital Imaging - Anoka Ramsey Community College
- Media Writing - Anoka Ramsey Community College
- Social Media Marketing - Anoka Ramsey Community College
- Video Production - Isanti-Cambridge High School
- Isanti-Cambridge High School (Cambridge, MN)
What I Do:
I bring attention to all of the amazing things our SDDC team does and support great experiences at the SDDC Exhibit Hall! Managing our social media platforms (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn), I also develop and edit videos that promote the SDDC, our team, and services that we provide.
TyAnn Allison, Early Childhood Specialist
Education:
- Working on a Masters in Special Education in Early Childhood, University of North Dakota
- Bachelor's Degree of Psychology with minors in Sociology and Child, Youth, & Family Studies, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
I work with our youngest learners, creating special opportunities for them to engage in science and in the world around them. Working with a team of educators, we support the mind and body, laying the foundation for our students grow into well-adjusted, curious adults.
Anne Rasmussen, Teaching Assistant
Education summary:
- Child Development Associates Degree, Sioux Falls Child Services
Community connections:
- Sioux Empire Pit Rescue
What I do:
I work with our youngest learners, creating special opportunities for them to engage in science and in the world around them. Working with a team of educators, we support the mind and body, laying the foundation for our students grow into well-adjusted, curious adults.
Shannon Utter, Teaching Assistant
Education summary:
31 Years in Elementary Education
Masters Degree in Curriculum and Development - St. Scholastica
What I do:
I work with our youngest learners, creating special opportunities for them to engage in science and in the world around them. Working with a team of educators, we support the mind and body, laying the foundation for our students grow into well-adjusted, curious adults.
Support Staff
Campbell Steffensen, Visitor Services Associate
Education:- Riggs High School (class of 2028)
What I Do:
I help all visitors have a great experience in our SDDC Exhibit Hall with support of our three “B’s” (Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful.)
Visitor Service Associate
Chloe Bowers, Visitor Services Associate
Education:
- STEM Educator Summer Internship (South Dakota Discovery Center) | 2022, 2023
- Riggs High School (class of 2026)
What I Do:
I help all visitors have a great experience in our SDDC Exhibit Hall with support of our three “B’s” (Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful.).
Elise Bowers, Visitor Services Associate
Education:- Riggs High School (class of 2028)
What I Do:
I help all visitors have a great experience in our SDDC Exhibit Hall with support of our three “B’s” (Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful.)
Rhianna Barkley, Visitor Services Associate
Education:- Riggs High School (class of 2025)
What I Do:
I help all visitors have a great experience in our SDDC Exhibit Hall with support of our three “B’s” (Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful.)