Executive Director

Marcia Hendrickson of Lennox, SD, is the Executive Director of the Enterprise Institute which has been helping entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers develop their businesses since 2001. Marcia has been actively promoting the value of intellectual property, entrepreneurship, angel investing and angel networks in South Dakota. She has also been involved in developing entrepreneurship educational programs. Marcia serves on the Board of Directors of the Value Added Finance Authority and the advisory boards of the Center for Innovation, Prairie Gold Venture Partners, Genesis of Innovation and the South Dakota Technology Business Center. She also serves on the governing boards of the Sioux Empire United Way and the Sioux Empire Fair Board.  She is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, and she also is a Certified Public Accountant.

Vonnie Barnett of Hartford, SD serves as Assistant Director of Economic Intelligence for the Enterprise Institute. In that capacity, she supervises market research and competitive analysis for clients.Vonnie also works with clients as an entrepreneur coach, encouraging the development of their products and businesses. She serves as a Community Ambassador for the West Central Junior Achievement and as the Chair for the SIOUXLAND RSVP Advisory Council.  Previously, she worked as a marketing consultant and director of marketing for a corrugated box and display manufacturer in Minneapolis. She held administrative positions in financial, construction materials, vending and hospitality industries. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern State University in Aberdeen.

Mari Beth Baumberger of Sioux Falls, SD coordinates development and activities of the Enterprise Angels network. Additionally, she serves as an entrepreneur coach and grant writer for the Enterprise Institute. Mari Beth was previously employed in fresh meat sales for two of the largest pork processing companies in the United States. She also served as the Executive Director for the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. In addition, Mari Beth has experience in political fundraising, campaign finance management, grant writing and agricultural business consulting. Mari Beth is an Animal Science graduate of South Dakota State University with minors in Economics, Ag Business and Ag Marketing.

Tim Weelborg of Brookings, SD, serves as Assistant Director of the Enterprise Institute. He works as an entrepreneur coach specializing in business finance. Tim helps entrepreneurs create financial projections and form valuations of their companies. He serves on advisory boards for SDSU and DSU Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) clubs. Tim worked as a Corporate Financial Analyst with John Morrell & Co. Before that, he was a Business Analyst in the marketing and new business development divisions of Navitaire, a Minneapolis-based software company with products used for the airline industry. He was the Sales and Marketing Director for Med-Pac, Inc. of Fargo, ND. Tim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from South Dakota State University. Tim is also a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).

Heidi Fields of Brookings, SD is an Administrative Assistant with Enterprise Institute.Her duties consist of support for company director and assistant directors, event and meeting planning and coordination. Heidi was previously employed with DAKOTACARE for 12 years.  Her work experience included team leadership within the Claims Processing Department where her work involved staff management, Business Intelligence tool reporting, program testing and staff training. Heidi received her degree in Medical Transcription and Medical Secretary from the Stenotype Institute of South Dakota.

Jodi O’Keefe of Sioux Falls, SD is the Office Manager for the Sioux Falls offices of Enterprise Institute and SDSU Foundation.  Her duties consist of support for company director and assistant directors, event and meeting planning and coordination. She is also responsible for photographing Enterprise Institute and Foundation events, purchasing and all other tasks related to managing the Sioux Falls office. Jodi serves as a mentor for the 4-H Teens As Teachers Program in Minnehaha county.  Jodi was previously employed with Citibank, where she was employed for 14 years, the last seven years as a Fraud Analyst with the Fraud Control department.  Jodi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Journalism, with a Speech Minor from South Dakota State University in 1993.