BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK CONSERVANCY WELCOMES NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP

The Badlands National Park Conservancy’s annual meeting in February brought board members and staff together to reflect, strategize, and celebrate. During the meeting, new board leadership was selected, bringing fresh innovation, energy, and passion to our work.

MEET OUR NEW LEADERSHIP

Michael F. Tobin, Board Chair

Michael F. Tobin has been appointed as the new BNPC Board Chair. He has served on the board for the past two years, most recently as Chair of the Governance Committee. Michael consistently brings clarity to conversations and elevates key ideas. He is an attorney at Boyce Law Firm in Sioux Falls and enjoys sports and recreational activities with his wife and five children.

BNPC’s Executive Director Marissa Marshall is thrilled to have Michael Tobin stepping into the Chair role for BNPC. She appreciates his rare ability to say exactly what needs to be said with clarity, diplomacy, and respect. She admires this candor and is excited to learn from him as he helps guide this next chapter.

Michael expressed his excitement to lead the Badlands National Park Conservancy Board and work with dedicated individuals, volunteers and other partners in preserving and promoting the rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park. He looks forward to moving forward the Conservancy’s objectives of raising critical funds to support various projects in and for the Park and protecting and enhancing the recreational and educational opportunities throughout the Park. Badlands National Park is truly a treasure, both for South Dakota and the nation, and worth protecting and enhancing for generations to come. 

Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje, Vice-Chair

Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje has stepped into the Vice-Chair role. She has been a dedicated board member for 2 years and has led many coalition-building efforts between the Conservancy and local and regional partners. Dew runs Zuya Sica Consulting and is an expert facilitator. She is deeply connected to community and is generous in strengthening relationships, elevating voices, and fostering collaboration among partners.

Dew splits her time between Rapid City and Eagle Butte. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Black Hills Powwow and previously worked as a project manager with the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance. Her passion for people, place, collaboration, and joy grounds her work and inspires those around her. We are grateful for her continued service and leadership.

“Dew has a magical way of including every voice in the room when she leads facilitations and her presence makes us more aware and more connected to the work we do for the park.” – Marissa Marshall, BNPC Executive Director

Dorothy FireCloud, Board Member & Governance Committee Chair

BNPC is pleased to welcome its newest board member, Dorothy FireCloud, who will also serve as Chair of the Governance Committee.

Dorothy brings a distinguished career with the National Park Service. She has held leadership roles as Superintendent of Devils Tower National Monument (Mato Tipila), Superintendent of Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument, and most recently served as the Native American Affairs Liaison in the NPS Washington Office.

Originally from White River, South Dakota, Dorothy is Sicangu Lakota. Her expertise, leadership, and passion for parks will be instrumental in shaping BNPC’s future.

GRATITUDE FOR OUR OUTGOING LEADERSHIP

We extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Chair Charlie Abourezk and Vice-Chair Craig Pugsley. Both will remain on the board, and we deeply appreciate their leadership, contributions, and ongoing commitment to the Conservancy.

Craig has served the Conservancy for many years, leveraging his connections in tourism and public lands across the state to help shape the board and advance our mission. His passion for the Badlands shines through in his grassroots efforts to raise awareness and support for the Conservancy.

Charlie led the board through a key period of growth over the past year. His dedication and significant investment of time and effort were instrumental to the organization’s success. A thoughtful communicator and strong leader, Charlie will continue contributing through the Tribal Relations Committee and by leading some of our grant-supported work. BNPC would not be where it is today without Charlie’s commitment, and we are deeply grateful for his continued involvement.