Executive Board Members

​​President: Brinkey Lyon
         Hello! My name is Liz Anderson and I will be serving as SDSNA’s 2017-2018 President. I am a senior nursing student in the Bachelor’s program at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell. At DWU, I am involved in SNA events and mentoring students in both the TRiO program and nursing program. When I am not on campus, I am teaching Bible school or volunteering for different fundraising events and organizations. This summer I will be interning at Avera McKennan for ten weeks and will continue to work at LifeQuest, an organization that works with people who have disabilities. I am excited to work with several students, faculty members, and organizations throughout the next year! Our executive board this year includes all young and new members and I’m excited to see the ideas that will be blossoming from our board! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at anytime!
Contact:  Liz.Anderson.14@dwu.edu

First Vice-President Samantha Heeren           
         I am a senior Nursing Major at SDSU Brookings. I am involved in a variety of organizations at SDSU, such as; President of SDSU-SNA, Student Senator for the College of Nursing, Admission Ambassador, Dancer in State-A- Thon, Sister of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and a student participant of Leadstate. In my free time I enjoy volunteer tutoring for physiology, nutrition, and chemistry, and volunteering at the Brookings Human Society. On weekends, I love working at my local nursing home.
Contact: ​samantha.heeren@jacks.sdstate.edu

Second Vice-President Paige Kanaly         
         ​Hello everyone! My name is Paige Kanaly and I am the Second Vice President for the SouthDakotaSNA 2017-2018. I am currently a junior at Mount Marty College in Yankton and will be graduating in May 2019. I also serve on Mount Marty’s local SNA board as Co-Community Chair. When I am not in school, I work at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House as a Resident Assistant. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends. I am honored to serve on the SouthDakotaSNA board and look forward to this year! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments!
​Contact: paikan664@mtmc.edu

Community Health Chair Kira Loftesness
         ​Hello everyone! My name is Kira Loftesness and I will be serving as the Community Health Chairperson on the 2016-2017 SDSNA Executive Board. I am currently a senior at South Dakota State University in Brookings and will be graduating in December 2018 with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree as well as minors in Biology, Health Sciences, and Gerontology. During the Summer of 2017, I will be interning at the University of Iowa Hospital in their Surgical-Neuroscience ICU. In my free time, I love traveling, being active outside, sending snail mail, spending time with friends and family, and especially waking up to a good cup of coffee. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I am excited to see what this year has in store for SDSNA! 
Contact: kira.loftesness@jacks.sdstate.edu

Recording Secretary Katie Merrill
         ​Hello everyone – my name is Katie Merrill and I am looking forward to serving as the Recording Secretary on the executive board for the 2017-2018 school year.  I am currently a senior nursing student at Presentation College in Aberdeen SD.  I work part time at Maurice’s in Aberdeen and as a tutor for Presentation nursing students.  I will also be doing an internship at Avera in Aberdeen during the summer of 2017 in the Med-Surg area.  In my spare time, I love to shop, travel and spend time with my fur baby, Stella Marie, and my family!  I am looking forward to being your Recording Secretary and meeting new people.  Thank you for the opportunity!    
Contact: Kathryn.Merrill@presentation.edu

Corresponding Secretary Simone Rernleitner 
         Hello! My name is Simone Rernleitner, and I am the Corresponding Secretary for SouthDakota SNA 2017-2018. I attend the University of Sioux Falls working towards my Bachelors of Science in Nursing and will be graduating in May of 2018. As Corresponding Secretary, I am the main connection between the state level and the local level, so feel free to reach out to me with any questions! I am excited and honored to serve on the state board.        
Contact: simone.rernleitner@usiouxfalls.edu

Parliamentarian William Moffet
​         Hi! My name is William Moffet. I will be serving as the Parliamentarian of the NSASD 2017-2018. I am currently earning my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at Presentation College, in Aberdeen South Dakota, and will be graduating May 2017. I am the Executive Board Secretary and Treasurer of our local Student Government and play football for the Saints. I am from Kindred, North Dakota and graduated from Kindred High School in May of 2014. I have two brothers. I enjoy being with family and friends as well as outdoor activities. The focus for my nursing career is to become either a flight nurse or a nurse anesthetist. I am looking forward to this position and being part of the executive board. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Contact: William.Moffet@presentation.edu

Nominations Chair MacKenzie Brandt 
         Hey everyone! I’m MacKenzie Brandt and I’ll be the Nominations Chair for SDSNA for 2017-2018. I’m a junior at Augustana University pursuing my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I’m also the president of Augustana’s nursing association (ANSA)! I’ve also been involved in planning Augie’s homecoming week the past two years. When I’m not studying (or procrastinating) for school, I work at Avera McKennan Hospital and University as a Patient Care Tech and teach gymnastics. I’m excited to be on this journey and ready to learn more about the nursing world and myself in this position! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
Contact: mlbrandt15@ole.augie.edu 

Treasurer Charles Peters
         Hi I am Charles "C.J." Peters and I am currently a junior at South Dakota State in Brookings working towards my BSN and plan to graduate in fall of 2018. I am from a small town called Minden in southwest Iowa. I chose nursing as my career choice because I love working with people and enjoy learning about the human body. Once I graduate I will be working at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls and hope to begin the journey to being a flight nurse. In my free time I enjoy many outdoor activities including hunting and fishing. I am excited to serve as the SouthDakotaSNA treasurer and be a part of something bigger than myself and get to know other people that have the same goals as myself! 
Contact: charles.peters@jacks.sdstate.edu

Resolutions Chairs Sage Fraser and Brinkley Lyon
          Hello! My name is Sage Fraser and I am honored to be serving with Brinkley Lyon as Resolutions Chair for the 2017-2018 term. I am currently a junior at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. I will be entering the nursing program in August and will be graduating in May of 2019 with my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing along with a minor in Psychology. I am also the Vice President of my local SNA chapter. I am a waitress at a local restaurant and in my free time I enjoy cuddling with my kitty, Nala. I'm very excited for what this opportunity will bring. I look forward to working with this awesome board and to serve the SD student nurses! Feel free to email me with any questions.
Contact: sage.fraser@coyotes.usd.edu
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         Hi! My name is Brinkley Lyon and I will be serving as one of the Resolutions Chairpersons for the 2017-2018 year. I am currently a Junior at the University of South Dakota-Vermillion working towards my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, with hopes of furthering my education and becoming a Nurse Practitioner. I am very excited for this opportunity to present a resolution at the national level!
Contact: brinkley.lyon@coyotes.usd.edu

Website Administrator Erin Bartling
​         Hello everyone! My name is Erin Bartling and I will be serving as the Website Administrator for the 2017-2018 year. I am currently a sophomore at Augustana University in Sioux Falls working towards getting my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, after which I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in Nurse Anesthesia. When I'm not doing school work, you can find me hiking, horseback riding, swimming, or just enjoying the outdoors. I am very excited to be apart of the executive board and if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me!
Contact: elbartling16@ole.augie.edu