Description
Mental health conditions and suicide have impacted youth and young adults in increasing ways over the past decade, but as we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, communities are struggling with the “unprecedented” — in terms of mental health needs and mental health responses — while also seeing greater investment than ever into suicide prevention nationally. Lost&Found CEO Erik Muckey and COO Susan Kroger share about the work happening in South Dakota, why building programs with target audiences and partners makes prevention stronger, and how we can “do more” than simply talk about mental health but to change systems — for good.
Speakers
Erik Muckey, Executive Director and CEO of Lost&Found
Erik was raised in Corsica, South Dakota, and is a graduate of the University of South Dakota (BBA, 2014) and the University of Minnesota (Master of Public Policy/ Master of Business Administration/Certificate in Nonprofit Management, 2020). Erik is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Erik began his career in municipal government and financial services, serving in various strategy and financial management roles for the City of Sioux Falls, RGP, MetaBank and Sunrise Banks. Outside of Lost&Found, Erik is an Adjunct Instructor of Economics at USD's Beacom School of Business and the founder of PASQ, a consulting and professional services agency supporting rural- and tribal-focused economic development agencies, nonprofits and public-private partnerships.
Susan Kroger, Director of Programs and COO of Lost&Found
Susan Kroger has 15 years of nonprofit experience and has served in leadership positions in several organizations in South Dakota. She holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa and is finishing up her PhD in Rural Sociology at SDSU with an emphasis in gender and policy. Susan enjoys helping nonprofits establish sustainable data processes and has consulted with several local organizations on development and strategic planning. She lives in Sioux Falls with her 11-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.