SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Candy Hanson has stepped back from leading Sioux Falls Thrive. Michelle Erpenbach, who joined Thrive this past March to run its Kid Link Riverside Initiative, assumed the president’s position on Jan. 1.
“We’ve expected and prepared for this transition for some time,” said Deb Koski, Chair of Thrive’s Board of Directors. “The good news is that while Candy is leaving her administrative position, she’ll continue to direct Thrive’s housing, food security, and out-of-school time action teams and to facilitate several task teams.”
Hanson was closing out 15 years with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation when she was asked to develop Thrive as a cradle to career initiative targeted by Forward Sioux Falls Strategic Workforce Action Agenda.
“Having an experienced nonprofit CEO to lay Thrive’s foundation and get our first projects going was a tremendous benefit,” Koski said. But it wasn’t only Hanson’s organizational skills that kept Thrive moving ahead. “Once our strategic direction was set, Candy innovated. She’s leading a series of initiatives that have dozens of agencies and hundreds of volunteers collaborating to improve services to the kids who will need help achieving their school and career potential.”
Hanson will serve as Thrive’s Director of Community Collaboration. “I’ve been fortunate to work with an extraordinary team of board members for the past four years. They’ve given voice to the dignity and worth of all children growing up in our community. I couldn’t be prouder of the strong organization we’ve built. I’m delighted to work on Thrive’s next chapter.”
(Thrive contributed to this report.)
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