Hi, I’m Kadyn. I’m proud to represent District 15 in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

I’m proud to represent District 15 in the South Dakota House of Representatives.

For years, I’ve dedicated my personal and professional life to advocating for people who too often go unheard. From coalition-building within the LGBTQ and Two Spirit+ community to direct service work with individuals experiencing homelessness in Sioux Falls, my work has always been rooted in showing up, listening, and taking action.

That commitment is personal. I grew up watching my parents advocate for my younger brother, Micah, who has used a wheelchair for more than twenty-five years. That experience instilled in me a deep belief that government should work for everyone, especially those who need it most.

In 2020, I began working at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, where I supported some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Through that work, I saw firsthand where systems were falling short and what meaningful support can look like when it’s done right.

Today, many of those same services are located in District 15. As a legislator, I’ve worked to remove barriers, strengthen support systems, and help more people move toward stability and opportunity.

Since taking office, I’ve focused on delivering real results. I helped pass legislation expanding access to school meals for more than 10,000 kids and families across South Dakota and advanced improvements to our parole system. In 2024, I was honored to be named Legislator of the Year by the South Dakota Farmers Union for my work supporting farmers, producers, and rural communities.

I currently serve as Chair of the State’s Corrections Commission and on the Governor’s Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force, where I’m working to advance data-driven criminal justice reform that strengthens public safety and improves outcomes.

Outside the legislature, I work full-time as the Director of Development at the Sioux Falls Family YMCA, where I build relationships and raise support to expand access to programs that strengthen individuals and families across our community.

I remain committed to listening, showing up, and ensuring every South Dakotan has a voice and a fair shot at success.

My experience in public service and community leadership includes:

I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Midwest Food Bank South Dakota, supporting efforts to address food insecurity and expand access to essential resources across our region.

Previously, I served on the Board of Directors for the Transformation Project Advocacy Network, where I worked to support and empower transgender youth, young adults, and their families while helping educate communities across South Dakota. Before taking office, I also helped organize phone banks and connect community members with the tools they needed to advocate for themselves.

In 2022, I was appointed to the City of Sioux Falls Homeless Task Force, where I worked alongside community leaders to study homelessness and develop policy recommendations for the City Council. My experience at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House during the COVID-19 pandemic helped inform that work.

Since being elected, I’ve continued to deepen my understanding of the issues facing our state. I was selected as a Youth Homelessness Fellow through the National Conference of State Legislatures and participated in the Bush Foundation Change Network, both of which focused on building practical solutions and stronger communities.

Outside the legislature, I work full-time as the Director of Development at the Sioux Falls Family YMCA, where I build relationships and raise support to expand access to programs that strengthen individuals and families across our community.

Purpose

I believe government should work for everyone, especially those who haven’t always had a seat at the table. That belief has shaped my work from the very beginning, and it continues to guide how I show up, listen, and advocate for people across our state.

Education

Raised in Willmar, Minnesota, Kadyn moved to Sioux Falls over fifteen years ago to pursue her bachelor’s degree at Augustana University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology & Women’s Studies in 2013.

“We always ask ‘where are the good people with a willingness to run for public office?’ I think we have found one in Kadyn.”

— Michelle LaVallee, CEO

Children’s Home Society of South Dakota