2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Elijah's exceptional leadership and dedication have significantly enhanced Avera Foundation's impact, exemplifying his innate ability to inspire and unite teams toward common philanthropic goals. In his role, Elijah has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including doubling special event fundraising to over $2 million across Avera's multi-state health system and achieving remarkable growth in Giving Tuesday contributions from under $5,000 to more than $1.1 million. His strategic acumen and relational approach have not only elevated fundraising outcomes but also fostered a culture of volunteerism and community engagement. Elijah's achievements reflect his profound commitment to advancing healthcare philanthropy and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

I was lucky (or maybe unlucky, depending on who you ask) enough to be born into healthcare philanthropy! My father was a fundraiser for multiple healthcare groups and hospitals in the upper Midwest, and I learned the importance of this great work from an early age. In 2017, I was able to take on a role with Avera McKennan Hospital, leading fundraising events, which ultimately lead to my current career at Avera Health.

I often say "I have the best job in our entire healthcare system," and while I often say it in jest, I do mean it wholeheartedly. It's not often you can find a career path that is fun, rewarding, ever-changing, and so substantially meaningful like healthcare philanthropy is, making the decision to be in this career that much easier. But it truly is that "meaningful" perspective that made me want to embark on this journey. To be able to plant the tree before the shade is needed is a truly honorable thing.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced us all to reassess our work, how it gets done and the importance of what we do. Being a leader in the annual giving sector and knowing that many of our front-facing development projects were not going to be able to take place as they once had, we were forced to adjust many our fundraising events. Our team knew the importance of the funds being raised by these projects and worked tirelessly so we could continue to hold the events, in an often-virtual setting, so that the annual influx of funds from those projects would not be halted. Because of that pivot, I was able to again be reminded of the important work we were doing but also understand that I was capable of making the right adjustments to fit the needs of our environment and continue fundraising for our patients and their families.

After working in healthcare and philanthropy for the better part of a decade, I am certain that my greatest passion is creating a community that is better today than it was yesterday. I love my home of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and I want to make certain that my family, my friends, and anyone who is lucky enough to call this community home can feel comfortable and welcomed in this space and any work I do is to achieve exactly that.

Two quotes that have helped me: 1. "Comparison is the thief of joy." (Teddy Roosevelt)  Don't compare yourself to the fundraiser next to you. As long as you are pushing yourself to be the best advocate for your own organization and doing all you can to support those you serve, you are on the right path. 2. "Good luck is a function of preparation and of that we have no equal." (A benefactor of our organization)   When a donor told me shared this comment with me in preparation for a large event, I was reminded being prepared for any situation, meeting, or event is more important than any sort of luck.