BURKE, S.D. (Press Release) – The Billie Sutton Leadership Institute will host its first leadership training event this weekend in Oacoma, South Dakota.

Within three weeks of launching the Institute, nearly 100 South Dakotans applied to participate in the public service and community engagement focused leadership training program.

In anticipation of the first event, Billie Sutton– former state senator, 2018 candidate for governor of South Dakota, and founder of the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute– said,

“After reviewing over 300 pages of applications from South Dakota’s brightest up-and-coming leaders, our board has selected an outstanding inaugural class of Sutton Leadership Fellows that we know will go on to do great things for our state. They come from all walks of life and areas of the state–– east river, west river, and tribal communities. Among them are veterans, healthcare professionals, nonprofit and public sector leaders, and local elected officials. We can’t wait to meet them at our first event and see what they will accomplish!”

The inaugural class of Sutton Leadership Fellows will participate in a leadership training event May 31 through June 2 with Billie Sutton, some of the state’s top private and public sector leaders, and nationally-renowned leadership training experts.