May 18, 2024

Christina Oey’s first day as Executive Director of the South Dakota Humanities Council was an eventful one. On May 16, she was welcomed to the organization not only by SDHC staff and board members, but also by National Endowment for the Humanities Chair Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo) and colleagues.

While traveling in eastern South Dakota for an NEH project, Chair Lowe, along with NEH Senior Deputy Chair Tony Mitchell and NEH Director of Publications David Skinner, visited the SDHC offices in Brookings to meet Oey and discuss current and future humanities programs in the state.

Oey comes to SDHC from Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., where she served as CEO. She has over a decade of nonprofit management experience, including as Development Director of Feeding South Dakota and Executive Director of Capital Area United Way. Her areas of expertise include nonprofit fundraising, event management, and operations management.

SDHC Board Chair Bobbie Bohlen said Oey’s leadership skills are perfectly suited to enhance the reach and impact of the humanities around the state. “Christina brings a wealth of knowledge about the nonprofit world, as well as extensive fundraising expertise,” Bohlen said. “We are so pleased that she is joining us this week.”

Oey looks forward to supporting SDHC in building on past successes. “I am excited to begin my work at the South Dakota Humanities Council to help aid in the mission of inspiring imagination, increasing literacy, and promoting civil conversation,” Oey said. “The board and staff have done amazing work, and I’m thrilled to use my background to continue serving South Dakota and this wonderful organization.”

Oey graduated with a Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership (Nonprofit Organization Focus) from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Prior to that, she completed an undergraduate degree in Political Science with a double minor in Korean and Communication Studies from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

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