Energy, Passion and Dedication

Cassi Severson has been serving as the Campaign Associate for the Sioux Empire United Way since February 2023. Raised in Platte, South Dakota, she attended South Dakota State University where she received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees. Prior to joining the Sioux Empire United Way team, she spent most of her career working for nonprofit and university-sponsored programs focused on student and community engagement in western South Dakota. “Working for a mission-driven organization like SEUW has been incredibly fulfilling - seeing donors, volunteers, agency partners, and our communities rally together to make such an immense impact is so inspiring to my everyday work.”  Outside of work, Cassi especially enjoys supporting organizations devoted to educational access, mental health, and fighting poverty.

Cassi’s role at SEUW is to coordinate campaign initiatives by supporting volunteers, donors, and businesses. Cassi manages agency tours, coordinates speakers, and helps secure co-marketing fundraisers in the community. If you have a fun idea for partnering with SEUW on a fundraising initiative, give Cassi a shout!

Cassi currently sits on the steering committee for the South Dakota Area Health Education Center’s yearly conference: Mission: Possible | Reducing the Impact of Substance Abuse + Mental Illness. They will host their fourth annual conference in downtown Sioux Falls at the end of May.

For fun, Cassi enjoys being out and about with her spouse, Michael, tracking down live music, exploring new places to camp, and discovering new breweries. And let’s not forget spending time with their two dogs, Luna and Maggie. 

Some of her fondest “mission memories” have been seeing the incredible impact Sioux Empire United Way funded agencies have in the Sioux Empire, even before joining the team. In her prior role, she worked closely with several of the school home liaisons from Sioux Falls School District’s Refugee and Immigrant Academic Achievement Resources program.

“The impact the liaisons have on the students and their families is invaluable to our schools and communities.” She even makes sure to recognize those other than herself who are making a difference every day. “Shout out to Stef and Brandi, two of the incredible school home liaisons for the Sioux Falls School District,” she adds. “I was lucky to work with them and witness the constant care and support they provide so many students every day!”

Thank you, Cassi, for your time, dedication, and contribution to the community through your position at Sioux Empire United Way.