About us

Discover what makes our Thrivent Member Network possible. Learn about our local and national leadership, and how we're making a difference as a holistic financial services organization.

More to explore

Thrivent has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for the next step in your career, membership options or financial products—we can help.
With banking, insurance, investments and personalized financial guidance, we have products and services that meet you where you're at.
Discover the advantages of being a Thrivent member. We provide access to benefits, tools and resources to help you live a life full of meaning.
Put your skills and ideas into action in meaningful ways. We offer development opportunities, competitive compensation and attractive benefits to our corporate team members and financial advisors.

Regional leadership

The Thrivent Member Network regional board is made up of Thrivent clients with membership. The board provides leadership and strategic insights to help carry out Thrivent's mission on a local level. Clients with membership can have a voice by voting in the elections for the Thrivent Member Network board.
Kerri Tietgen
Board Chair
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Congregation: Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church
Kerri is passionate about helping people reach their full potential. She understands that at its core, a company is individuals working together toward a common goal. She is Chief Executive Officer at EmBe in Sioux Falls. Tietgen has been a Thrivent member since 2014.
Mark Blackburn
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Mark is the Dean of Students at Augustana University in Sioux Falls and was formerly the Director of Diversity and Inclusion there for 12 years.  In his board role, Mark wants to build new relationships, make connections that will build bridges and support people, organizations, and initiatives that will give access to the less fortunate, and educate those who may not have been exposed to societal injustices
Dr. Roberta Olson
Hometown: Brookings, SD
Congregation: Ascension Lutheran Church
Roberta Olson spent her career preparing the next generation of nurses. She retired as dean of nursing at South Dakota State University in 2013, returned as interim dean during a national search for a new dean in May of 2018 and has now retired again following the selection of the new dean in 2019. Her career spanned a number of educational institutions and organizations in South Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. Roberta has been a Thrivent member since 1964.

David Spencer
Hometown: Yankton, SD
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran
Spencer believes in working with others in the community to make a difference: from volunteering with local youth sports, serving as an advisory board member for Yankton’s Park and Recreation department, to volunteering with church and area chamber of commerce organizations. As a Thrivent member for nearly 25 years, David has participated in many Thrivent programs. He currently works as director of sales and marketing for Farmer's Pride.
Our leaders work in the best interest of our membership––not third-party shareholders, like publicly traded companies. Clients with a benefit membership can vote in the annual election for the Thrivent Board of Directors. As the organization’s supreme governing body, the board focuses on serving the interests of the membership, both now and into the future. The board establishes and promotes Thrivent’s purpose and oversees major business decisions, and works with leadership to assess and manage risk. Get to know the people who serve on the Thrivent Board of Directors and the executive leadership team.

Connect with us

Get in touch with the South Dakota Plains Region

Find us

6200 Old Village Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
605-409-9913
SouthDakotaPlainsTMN@Thrivent.com