MEET OUR BOARD & ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Together the Lifeways Board and Advisory Committee has helped create lasting change towards our vision of "Youth Empowered to be Substance Free".
Sean Binder, President
Capstone Coordinator, Rapid City High School
I finally devoted myself fully to what has been a lifelong passion for teaching and youth services. I joined the Rapid City High School team in 2018 after moving back to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota from Denver, Colorado where I worked in both the public and private sectors around youth services. I also have experience in non-profit management, public speaking, emergency medicine, outdoor education, juvenile diversion, and am a certified scuba diver. This breadth of experience with many more professional experiences has joined nicely with the mission and vision of Lifeways. Lifeways is an amazing organization that truly focus on the whole individual. I am thankful every day for the incredibly amazing staff and the work they do in our community.
Capstone Coordinator, Rapid City High School
I finally devoted myself fully to what has been a lifelong passion for teaching and youth services. I joined the Rapid City High School team in 2018 after moving back to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota from Denver, Colorado where I worked in both the public and private sectors around youth services. I also have experience in non-profit management, public speaking, emergency medicine, outdoor education, juvenile diversion, and am a certified scuba diver. This breadth of experience with many more professional experiences has joined nicely with the mission and vision of Lifeways. Lifeways is an amazing organization that truly focus on the whole individual. I am thankful every day for the incredibly amazing staff and the work they do in our community.
Katie McLaws, Vice President
Stay at Home Parent, Certified Teacher
My family moved to Rapid City when I was 12 years old, and I graduated from Stevens High School. I moved away for college and attended BYU-Idaho. During that time, I took a break and served an 18-month mission for my church in the country of Chile. Upon my return I married, returned to my education and graduated in Elementary Education. Since graduating, I've moved back to Rapid City and have 4 sons. In my spare time I have received my certificate for teaching in South Dakota and keep that current. I currently work with the children in my church. I have served on the Board of Directors for Lifeway's for the past couple of years and feel their cause is essential to healthy youth, both physical and mental. I'm grateful to be a part of that.
Stay at Home Parent, Certified Teacher
My family moved to Rapid City when I was 12 years old, and I graduated from Stevens High School. I moved away for college and attended BYU-Idaho. During that time, I took a break and served an 18-month mission for my church in the country of Chile. Upon my return I married, returned to my education and graduated in Elementary Education. Since graduating, I've moved back to Rapid City and have 4 sons. In my spare time I have received my certificate for teaching in South Dakota and keep that current. I currently work with the children in my church. I have served on the Board of Directors for Lifeway's for the past couple of years and feel their cause is essential to healthy youth, both physical and mental. I'm grateful to be a part of that.
Afton Klode, Treasurer
Human Resources Manger, Scooter's Coffee
I was born and raised in Rapid City. I am married to a US Air Force Retiree, and we have two children. I am the Human Resources Manager at Scooter's Coffee in Rapid City and am currently working on my medication certification through Black Hills Works in order to provide respite care for adults with disabilities doing home sharing. In my spare time I enjoy watching movies, taking my dog for walks, and playing board games.
Human Resources Manger, Scooter's Coffee
I was born and raised in Rapid City. I am married to a US Air Force Retiree, and we have two children. I am the Human Resources Manager at Scooter's Coffee in Rapid City and am currently working on my medication certification through Black Hills Works in order to provide respite care for adults with disabilities doing home sharing. In my spare time I enjoy watching movies, taking my dog for walks, and playing board games.
Patricia Ploof
Retired Teacher, Rapid City Area Schools
I have been an educator at all levels for 36 years. When Lifeways counselors presented to my classes I could see what valuable information my students were receiving. Their discussions were thought provoking and insightful. I strongly support our Lifeways mission and our counselors wholeheartedly.
Retired Teacher, Rapid City Area Schools
I have been an educator at all levels for 36 years. When Lifeways counselors presented to my classes I could see what valuable information my students were receiving. Their discussions were thought provoking and insightful. I strongly support our Lifeways mission and our counselors wholeheartedly.
Kelsey Blair
Attorney
I was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Chadron State College and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota. Following law school, I was a judicial law clerk in Pierre, SD, before returning to Rapid City where I have been working as an attorney for the last five years. In 2021, I was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year for Pennington County. In my free time I enjoy game nights and spending time with my husband and family in the Black Hills camping and visiting the burros in Custer State Park. I am proud to serve as a Lifeways Board Member, supporting the organization’s mission to inspire and equip students to be healthy and substance free.
Attorney
I was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Chadron State College and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota. Following law school, I was a judicial law clerk in Pierre, SD, before returning to Rapid City where I have been working as an attorney for the last five years. In 2021, I was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year for Pennington County. In my free time I enjoy game nights and spending time with my husband and family in the Black Hills camping and visiting the burros in Custer State Park. I am proud to serve as a Lifeways Board Member, supporting the organization’s mission to inspire and equip students to be healthy and substance free.
Caitlin Monahan
Customer Service Associate, Black Hills Energy
I enjoy reading and home renovation projects. I was also the 2019 Black Hills Comedy Champion, but my dog ZuZu is the true comedian of the house. I lived in a felt tent while working in Mongolia for two years in the youth and community development sector. I facilitated an 88 Bikes Moment of Happy endowment of over 200 bikes to orphans as well as the start of the first English language library in my area. I led seminars on youth development, prevention, and library creation/sustainability on a local and national level. I now own a 1977 Scamp camper and am in the woods and on a lake as much as possible.
Customer Service Associate, Black Hills Energy
I enjoy reading and home renovation projects. I was also the 2019 Black Hills Comedy Champion, but my dog ZuZu is the true comedian of the house. I lived in a felt tent while working in Mongolia for two years in the youth and community development sector. I facilitated an 88 Bikes Moment of Happy endowment of over 200 bikes to orphans as well as the start of the first English language library in my area. I led seminars on youth development, prevention, and library creation/sustainability on a local and national level. I now own a 1977 Scamp camper and am in the woods and on a lake as much as possible.
Sara Waeckerle
Attorney
I attended the University of Wyoming and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Following undergrad, I joined the Class of 2019 at the University of Wyoming College of Law. I began my practice as a law clerk assisting the judges in the northern hills. In September 2021, I entered private practice, specializing in criminal defense. I am passionate about drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment and I'm an advocate for treatment courts that emphasize the importance of rehabilitation. In my free time, I love to laugh, hike, and ski.
Attorney
I attended the University of Wyoming and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Following undergrad, I joined the Class of 2019 at the University of Wyoming College of Law. I began my practice as a law clerk assisting the judges in the northern hills. In September 2021, I entered private practice, specializing in criminal defense. I am passionate about drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment and I'm an advocate for treatment courts that emphasize the importance of rehabilitation. In my free time, I love to laugh, hike, and ski.
Tim Doyle
Advisory Member
Advisory Member
Eric Dwyer
Advisory Member
Advisory Member
Jim Webster
Advisory Member
Advisory Member
Sandra McFarland
Advisory Member
Advisory Member