New to campus this year is the Center for Innovation and Leadership, a place to create opportunities for organizational leaders to serve Christ’s kingdom and the community. With the new center, a new position opened up: Business Leader in Residencewhich is filled by Todd Boote from Lester, Iowa.
Boote has a long history of leadership and banking. For two and a half years, Boote has been with Peoples Bank as the Leadership Development Officer. This role involves many aspects, but it allows Boote to work with members from all nine locations of Peoples Bank.
Boote has a lot of experience outside of the banking industry. Boote has worked with Mindset LLC to impact business management; as a discipleship trainer, coach and board member with Primary Ministries; personal trainer at CPM Fitness; assisted several businesses and nonprofit ministries; and is a founding partner and director of business development of Bion Companies.
Boote currently resides in Lester, Iowa, but he said, “I worked in Sioux Falls for about 20 years, where I was able to build some relationships with many great people. I have been praying for an opportunity to build some relationships in Northwest Iowa.”
Erica Vonk, Director of the Center for Innovation and Leadership as well as Instructor of Business and Economics, informed Boote of such an opportunity at the Center for Innovation and Leadership.
Boote said, “I was excited when she extended the offer to me to be involved.”
After being asked about the new position, Vonk said, “The goal in creating this position was to bring experienced and emerging leaders together both in the classroom and the community.”
Vonk also mentioned that Boote will spend time on campus in VPH 113. It is only a few hours each week, but during that time Boote is available for discussions as well as leadership mentoring.
Vonk said, “Todd is also assisting the Center in the development of some of our new ideas that are coming soon!”
In this new position, Boote will be speaking in classes, conducting training with organizations and being involved with the leadership development program Accelerate Siouxland.
Boote will also participate in Innovation Sandbox, is a campus laboratory that allows students as well as organizational leaders to engage in problem-solving, collaborative brainstorming and inventing.
There will be an Innovation Sandbox with Boote and Peoples Bank on Wednesday, April 7 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Students must pre-register in order to attend, but students will be able to get to know Boote and be eligible for three prizes.
Vonk said that having Boote onboard has been great this semester since he brings energy and a fresh, off-campus perspective.
