Alex Rieffenberger Welcomed on WACF Board

As the new year kicked off, the Watertown Area Community Foundation welcomed a new board member to its team. Alexandra “Alex” Rieffenberger has joined the board as an at-large member.

Rieffenberger is the store director at the Watertown Target store where she has worked for the past five years.  She supervises more than 125 team members and enjoys mentoring employees of all ages.

“I love that I get the opportunity to work with various people in the community every single day. Development, both personally and professionally, is very important to me.”

She is a Watertown High School graduate and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from SD State University in 2014. Her community service includes serving as a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown and volunteering for Junior Achievement.

She is excited to make new connections on the Foundation Board with other board members and the nonprofits in the community. “Thinking about Watertown, and its future, is so exciting,” Rieffenberger said. “When I was asked to join the WACF Board, I instantly felt honored. Serving on such a board is not something I take lightly. Having the opportunity to be part of the development of Watertown is such a humbling feeling.”

Rieffenberger and her husband, Danny, have one son, Theo, who is 3.

“We are excited to add Alex to the Foundation Board,” expressed Dr. Jeff Danielsen, who will remain Board Chair for 2023. “Her professional experiences and passion for the Watertown community will be an asset to the Foundation as we continue our mission to invest in the vitality of the Watertown area.”

Dr. Danielsen, superintendent of the Watertown School District, is a graduate of Salem High School and has an undergraduate degree from Augustana College, a master’s degree and Education Specialist degree from the University of Sioux Falls, and an Educational Doctorate from the University of SD. He has been a SD educator for more than 30 years. Prior to moving to Watertown, he was the superintendent of West Central School District and Hanson School District. He has been an adjunct professor for both the University of SD and USF. Danielsen has three children and two granddaughters.

“We awarded nearly $900,000 in grants in 2022,” he said. “I continue to be humbled and amazed at the generosity of our community and how much impact the Watertown Area Community Foundation makes within not just Watertown but the region,” Danielsen said. “I know 2023 will be another year of amazing accomplishments for the Foundation and the organizations and people it serves.”

Liam Culhane was elected the 2023 vice chair. Other board members are Tom Beadnell, Charlie Ewalt, Julie Ranum, and Joel Vockrodt.

“2023 will be an exciting year for the Foundation,” said Jan DeBerg, executive director. “Alex will be a strong board member as are all our board members. The Foundation and the greater Watertown area continue to be fortunate.”