Isaac joined The Foster Network board in 2022. He and his wife, Chelsea, are foster adoptive parents of 3 boys and one girl. Isaac shared that The Foster Network, and more specifically The Foster Closet, enabled them to take in their two youngest children, who were surprise twins, by helping supply them with the needed supplies, clothes, and other items so that they could focus on caring for their four kids.
Before switching career paths to commercial real estate in 2022 with Bender Commercial, Isaac spent five years serving and working for the non-profit Mission-Haiti. He and Chelsea spent the first three years serving in Haiti before moving back to the States, where Isaac worked as the Development Director for the organization.
Isaac is excited to help The Foster Network continue to meet the growing need for foster family support and ultimately help enable and empower foster families and the kids who come into care.

Kristen is the current Interim Chair of The Foster Network Executive Board. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Elementary Education in 2007. Kristen and her husband, Travis, became foster parents in 2017 and were introduced to The Foster Network (formerly East River Foster Parent Network) shortly after. The Foster Network quickly became a source of support as they welcomed children into their homes and navigated the sometimes messy road of foster care. Kristen would love The Foster Network to be a source of support for area foster parents by providing necessary supplies, education, and connections to other foster families.

Katie is the current treasurer of The Foster Network Executive Board. She graduated from Augustana College with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration and felt compelled to help an organization with her personal and business experiences.
Katie and her husband, David, were volunteer host families with Safe Families in Sioux Falls, where they took in children for several years. A past family ended up in the foster care system, which allowed Katie and David to take those children in through respite care. With a midday call, Katie was able to utilize The Closet at the last minute to secure necessities for them without going shopping that night. This helped the boys find a sense of pride in having their own things and acclimate back into their home that night before school the next day.
Katie and David are also in the process of being licensed in South Dakota to help foster children and possibly adopt children in the future.
Katie’s passion for children extends to many organizations, but The Foster Network is her main priority. She knows children do not have a voice in situations, and her focus is on helping them feel comfortable and prepared, even in difficult situations.

Holly Renken is a new Executive Board member and serves as Secretary. She has adopted three children through foster care and has been a foster parent since 2017. She is currently an educator in the Sioux Falls School District. Through The Foster Network, Holly hopes children are given a sense of normalcy in an unfamiliar environment. Being able to shop for clothes, get new shoes, join in activities, or spend time with other kids at events are all things that make kids feel at home, and The Foster Network provides all of that for kids!

Bridget Bennett joined The Foster Network Executive Board after fostering a teen and seeing the organization's incredible impact firsthand. She and her husband are also adoptive parents to their son, Levi. Through her role as the evening anchor at KELOLAND News, Bridget has shared her adoption story and continues to bring more public awareness for foster care and adoption. She aims to help The Foster Network continue empowering foster families and their children, enabling every child to know they are loved and valued in our community.

As a founding member of The Foster Network, Marla has been an active part of the organization since its conception in 2012. Marla is a nurse at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls. Marla and her husband were foster parents for 15 years. They have five children and adopted three of their children through foster care. Marla's goals for The Foster Network are to help increase community awareness of the organization and foster care while increasing community involvement. With community involvement and support, The Foster Network can improve and expand on current programs and venture into new ones.

Mitchell Aman has recently joined the Executive Board as a member. He has a diverse educational background, including aviation, paramedicine, and mechanics. He and his spouse, Brittany, have four children and reside in Sioux Falls. Mitchell has several years of direct experience in student transportation in the Sioux Falls metro area. He works full-time for the Harrisburg School District and owns All Class CDL, LLC - a CDL testing service.
Mitchell is a Master Mason and Certified Masonic Civility Ambassador with Minnehaha Lodge #5 in Sioux Falls. He became familiar with The Foster Network and its mission after several Freemasons from the Lodge toured the facility. Minnehaha Lodge #5, having a long, local history of charitable works, has stepped up to help The Foster Network in any way they can. Mitchell's goals are to increase community awareness of the organization and its positive impact on the foster community, see that necessary supplies are obtained for The Closet, and continue to provide events, gatherings, and support for foster families and children in the foster community.

Rebecca joined The Foster Network Executive Board in 2024. Rebecca grew up with many cousins who were adopted or in foster care and has been tuned in to the needs of foster families ever since. Rebecca works at MarketBeat, where she leads the product team. When she is not at work, she loves to be with her family, including her husband and daughter. She enjoys music, strategy games, dinner parties, and the great outdoors. You might catch her walking or biking around the city or attending a Levitt concert.

Tom and his wife, Jessica, reside in Sioux Falls and have five kids and two dogs. Tom works in banking, and Jessica is an Assistant Principal in the Sioux Falls School District. In 2020, they became licensed foster care parents and adopted their three oldest kids out of the foster care system. They are passionate about supporting and guiding anyone navigating the foster care system.

Vanessa Hoogendoorn is currently a new member of the Executive Board. Vanessa is an Outpatient Therapist at Sprout Play Therapy and Counseling Services, whose primary focus is working with youth who have experienced time in the state foster care system. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health (LPC-MH) in the state of South Dakota, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), and proficient in adoption competency. Vanessa has been in the mental health field working with youth affected by foster care, adoption through foster care, significant traumatic events, and behavioral challenges over the past ten years in a multitude of outpatient, home-based, and residential settings. Vanessa would love The Foster Network to connect, serve, and support as many foster families in the area as possible. She hopes the organization helps youth in foster care to be given a sense of safety, belonging, and community through the various programs, experiences, and events.

EXECUTIVE BOARD