Meet Our Staff
We want to hear from you
Our small, dedicated team brings deep community roots and professional expertise. Get to know the people who are here to serve you and help ensure Catholic life continues to flourish across Western South Dakota.
Meet Jim
As a fifth generation South Dakotan, Jim brings deep community roots to his work with the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation.
For over 31 years, Jim served as Executive Director of Catholic Social Services for the Rapid City Diocese. He holds a master’s degree from SDSU and studied philosophy at St. Mary’s University, where he also spent time in seminary. Jim and his wife Lisa have raised five children in Rapid City.
Jim’s passion lies in helping people discover meaningful ways to support the Church’s mission while being wise stewards of their resources. He believes every conversation about giving is ultimately about values, purpose, and legacy.
Ready for a conversation? Jim welcomes the opportunity to discuss how your resources might serve God’s work. Contact him to schedule a visit. jkinyon@wsdcf.org
Jim Kinyon
Sarah Bakker
Meet Sarah
As a South Dakota native born in Sioux Falls, Sarah brings a lifelong connection to the state and its communities to her role as Marketing & Events Director for the Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation.
Sarah earned her degree from Black Hills State University in Spearfish and has built expertise in web design, graphic design, marketing, and social media. She combines creative vision with strategic thinking to help share the Foundation’s mission and connect with supporters across the region.
When she’s not crafting compelling content or planning events, Sarah enjoys life in Rapid City with her husband Dan and their two cats, Meiko and Asher. Her deep appreciation for South Dakota’s communities drives her passion for helping others discover meaningful ways to support the Church’s work throughout the diocese.
Want to learn more about upcoming events or connect with the Foundation online? Sarah would love to hear from you. sbakker@wsdcf.org