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                 News Release

PRESS OFFICE                  

South Dakota SCORE Leader Selected for National Women’s Leadership Committee

Sioux Falls -- Cari L. Fossum of Sioux Falls has been appointed to serve on SCORE’s National Women’s Committee.  She will be leaving her role as SCORE South Dakota District Director and transitioning into a national leadership role where she can assist SCORE chapters in recruiting more women volunteers, mentor and help women to achieve leadership roles and navigate the organization, and assist chapters in delivering women focused events for SCORE clients.  Cari has volunteered with SCORE for over a decade and is an experienced banker currently working fulltime. Cari has served in numerous roles with SCORE, including Sioux Falls Fundraising Chair, Workshop Chair, and Chapter Chair, and most recently as SCORE’s South Dakota District Director.

Dean Swanson, SCORE’s Regional Vice President, congratulated Cari on her appointment, saying “This national SCORE committee of which Fossum is now a member will have a great impact on SCORE’s future by increasing awareness of the need for more diversity, continuing to share recruiting strategies and help struggling chapters, sharing ideas nationwide for delivering client focused women events, and strengthening women’s mentoring programs to include all women volunteers.”

“I’m passionate about small business success and the state of South Dakota.  I expect to carry this forward in my new role in SCORE, helping to increase the diversity of the national SCORE organization to include more women volunteers and expand their impact.” said Fossum. 

In a related move, David Dickson, South Dakota SCORE’s Assistant District Director, will step into the role of SCORE's District Director for the state.  Dickson will lead South Dakota's SCORE operation and support SCORE chapters throughout the state.  David retired from the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2014 as Eastern Pennsylvania District Director and relocated to South Dakota with his wife.  Dickson joined SCORE in 2016 and has assumed increasing responsibilities since that time.  In his former role with SBA, Dickson managed the delivery of SBA programs and services to small businesses throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

“We’re very fortunate in South Dakota to have SCORE leaders of this caliber.  Not only will South Dakota have direct impact on the broadened reach and diversification of SCORE through Cari’s appointment, but we have experienced leadership ready to step up to further SCORE’s mission in South Dakota with Dave’s selection," said SBA South Dakota District Director John L. Brown II. 

SCORE is an all-volunteer, nonprofit group that provides free mentoring and workshop training to entrepreneurs and small-business owners.

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