Board of Directors
*Parent/guardian of a child with a disability
**Self-advocate
Andrew Renke*
President, Sioux Falls
Andrew Renke
Andrew is the parent of a child with special healthcare needs. He has served as a youth pastor and has experience serving on boards and a background in IT.
Kristi Wallin*
Past President, Sioux Falls
Kristi Wallin
Kristi Wallin joined the South Dakota Parent Connection Board of Directors in 2017. She is a retired educator having taught special education and then becoming a Special Education Director. Kristi holds both a B.A. and M.A. in special education as well as her Specialist Degree in Educational Administration. Kristi and her husband have three children and six grandchildren.
Amber Winkler*
Member, Sioux Falls
Amber Winkler
Amber Winkler joined the South Dakota Parent Connection Board in 2017. Her daughter was diagnosed with CMV at birth and, as a result, suffers from bilateral moderate hearing loss. She is passionate about South Dakota Parent Connection’s mission and the work they do as it directly benefited her family and many families across South Dakota. Amber enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, camping, hiking, and staying active.
Musheera Mohammed Anis Abdellatif*
Member, Brandon
Musheera Mohammed Anis Abdellatif
Musheera is the mother of a young child with Down Syndrome. She is a University of South Dakota faculty member. She has a Ph.D. in Child Development and Educational Psychology. She worked as a child psychologist in Egypt, mainly with patients and families affected by mental illness and childhood psychiatric disorders. She was one of the founding members of a highly specialized Child Psychiatric Unit in her hometown. There she worked closely with families of individuals with ASD and ADHD, working with adolescents from high-risk environments. As part of her work there, she also founded the Mansoura Autism Support Association (MASA) in Egypt.
Lorna (Emmy) Her Many Horses
Member, Pine Ridge
Lorna (Emmy) Her Many Horses
Coming soon.
Lora Barthleman*
Secretary, Sioux Falls
Lora Barthleman
Lora Barthelman, a mother, grandmother, and music therapist who has lived in Sioux Falls since 1992. For over 30 years, Lora has used music therapy to help people of all abilities in Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. She joined the board of South Dakota Parent Connection because she wanted to share her perspective as both a parent of children with disabilities and a professional who supports families. Lora now serves as the secretary of the board and is passionate about making sure families feel seen, heard, and supported.
Lora has spent her life helping others—both through her work and through her own experiences. She raised two children with disabilities and has worked hard to help others understand the unique needs of families like hers. She’s also been involved in many groups, including the South Dakota Family Support Council and her church council. When asked to describe South Dakota Parent Connection in one word, Lora chose “devoted.” She believes South Dakota Parent Connection has stayed strong through many changes and continues to be a trusted source of help for families. Volunteering with South Dakota Parent Connection is her way of giving back to a community that once helped her.
Myriah Ventura** *
Member, Sioux Falls
Myriah Ventura
Miah Ventura is a skilled self-advocate from a farm near Glidden, Iowa. She currently lives in Sioux Falls with her three daughters. Miah uses her lived experience to advocate strongly for her children and is a lifetime learner who enjoys reading and coaching others. Miah works for Ness Tax and Bookkeeping, and she participates on several boards and committees.
Miah is a member of the South Dakota Advocates for Change, and she serves on the South Dakota Parent Connection Board, and as a part of their Development Committee. Miah is a part of the Lighting the Way Committee, and she presented at the 2023 Lighting the Way Conference. Miah is a Year 31 Partners in Policymaking Graduate, and she was the keynote speaker for her graduating class.
Chris Nickles
Member, Sioux Falls
Chris Nickles
Chris Nickles grew up in the great city of Sioux Falls. During his high school years at Roosevelt, he met his high-school sweetheart and now wife, Jennifer. Today their family is blessed with three wonderful and active boys, each with their unique personalities and talents. Carson, the oldest at 16, is a diehard basketball player. While Harrison, who is 13, adores baseball and football. The family’s youngest, 6-year-old Griffyn, brings a lot of laughter and energy to their lives, and can’t wait to follow in the footsteps of his brothers. As if not busy enough, the family added a puppy to the mix in 2023, named CoCo. Chris’s love for his family is evident in all he does. Chris has held many positions in the banking industry, climbing his way to Vice President of Business Banking, helping individuals and organizations make their dreams a reality. He does so with a listening ear and thorough analysis. In his spare time, Chris also enjoys fishing and golfing.
Jennifer Janke
Member, Sioux Falls
Jennifer Janke
Coming soon.
Darla Biel
Member, Brookings
Darla Biel
Coming soon.
Lena Peters*
Member, Sioux Falls
Lena Peters
Lena Peters joined the South Dakota Parent Connection Board of Directors in 2026. Lena is passionate about the organization’s mission, having navigated multiple agencies herself, due to her injuries incurred in the military…and as a parent, meeting the healthcare needs of her family, and seeking educational assistance for her two (now adult) children with disabilities.
In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors with her dog, Lycan, spending time with her absolutely spoiled cat, Pru, volunteering, reading too many books, and cheering on the MN Twins.
New Board Member
New Board Member
Could it be you?
To learn more about becoming a member of our board, please contact Dr. Carla Miller, Executive Director at cmiller@sdparent.org.
