About this Event
Black Hills Leadership Development Luncheon
Date and Time: November 18 at 11:30am
Location: The Rushmore Hotel 445 Mount Rushmore Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702
Luncheon Topic: Beyond the Donuts: The Four Habits of Leaders People Want to Work For
Great workplace culture isn’t built with free donuts, employee appreciation events, or a mission statement hanging on the wall. It’s built through the everyday actions of leaders and how they make people feel. Drawing on more than 30 years of leadership experience, Synova Nicolaisen shares four simple habits that help create workplaces where people want to be: engage with your people, be vulnerable enough to admit when you’re wrong, hire talented people and let them shine, and work hard while taking time to celebrate success.
Through personal stories, humor, successes, and a few lessons learned the hard way, Beyond the Donuts reminds leaders that they don’t have to have all the answers to build a great team. They need to listen, build trust, recognize the strengths of others, give credit where it’s due, and create an environment where people feel valued and respected. Because at the end of the day, people may not remember every project or deadline—but they will remember how they felt being part of your team.
Join us the hear from Synova Nicolaisen, the owner of Black Hills HR Consulting, where she provides tailored HR solutions to businesses of all sizes, non-profits, and public entities. She has served as HR Director for organizations ranging from small businesses to the Rapid City Area School District. Before moving into HR, she spent 17 years as a principal in alternative education settings and later taught in the Colleges of Education and Business at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She holds an Education Specialist Degree in Leadership, is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), and has presented to audiences from local to international.
Tickets for this luncheon will be on sale until noon on Monday, November 16, 2026.
Our featured corporate partner this month is Jeff Carsrud with Farm Bureau Financial Services. Thank you for supporting Black Hills Leadership Development!
Agenda
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Network, Corporate Partner and Nonprofit Spotlight, Lunch
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Keynote Speaker: Synova Nicolaisen
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
Wrap Up, Giveaways, and Thank you!
Event venue & nearby stays
The Rushmore Hotel Rapid City, 445 Mount Rushmore Road, Rapid City, United States
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