Message from the Board Chair - May 2025

Dear CHS, CHF, and Emeritus Board Colleagues:

Our shared commitment to strengthening board engagement, expanding the authority and responsibilities of our committees and modeling best practices in nonprofit governance is producing meaningful results.

The April 23 quarterly board meeting offered clear evidence of that progress. Attendance and participation were outstanding. Presentations from our fellow board members, CHS leadership, staff, and external consultants were thoughtful and informative. Most importantly, our discussions were robust, candid and productive—exactly the kind of dialogue that leads to strong outcomes.

Five board committees, operating under revised and refreshed charters, reported on their work and reaffirmed their deep commitment to the best interests of Children’s Home Society and the kiddos and families we serve. I am especially grateful to the committee chairs for their dedicated leadership:

• Gina Hopkins fills two key roles. She co-chairs, with Julie Anderson Friesen, the joint CHS/CHF Nominating and Governance Committee. In addition, Gina leads the Ad Hoc Committee for the Rapid City campus, serving as the board’s liaison for the $33 million building and renovation project. Her team works closely with management, our owner’s representative, the architect, the construction manager at risk and other partners.
• Laura Johnson, chair of the Operations Committee, helps guide important work around the expansion of our mental health clinic in Rapid City, the launch of our day school in partnership with the Rapid City Area Schools and the review of our most recent employee engagement survey.
• Matt Benne, chair of the Finance, Audit and Investment Committee, led the committees thorough review and unanimous approval of the FY2026 operating budget, totaling $37.5 million.
• John Rozell chairs the Promise Appeal Steering Committee for our $15 million fundraising campaign supporting the Rapid City campus. The campaign is progressing well and has reached 22% of its goal, with strong momentum and growing confidence.

To each board member: thank you for your continued commitment, energy, and thoughtful service. Your contributions are helping to ensure that everything we do advances our mission—preventing, treating and healing trauma among South Dakota’s most vulnerable children and families.