Representative Kadyn Wittman (D-SD)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE | FELLOW

Raised in Willmar, Minnesota, Kadyn moved to Sioux Falls over ten years ago to pursue her bachelor’s degree at Augustana University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Women’s Studies from Augustana in 2013.

​​Kadyn is an active board member for Bridging the Gap (BtG), a Sioux Falls based organization committed to uplifting underrepresented communities through collaboration, connection, and leadership development.

She also served on the Board of Directors for the The Transformation Project Advocacy Network (TPAN) for nearly three years, where she worked to support and empower transgender youth, young adults, and their families while educating communities in SD and the surrounding region about gender identity and expression. Prior to serving as a State Representative, Kadyn served as a legislative point of contact on TPAN’s behalf and successfully organized multiple phone banks, and educated community members on their rights as constituents.

During the summer and fall of 2022, Kadyn was appointed to the city of Sioux Falls Homeless Task Force. Serving alongside other community leaders, this task force set out to study homelessness in Sioux Falls and ultimately make policy recommendations to the City Council. She was uniquely qualified for this role due to her past experience working at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since her election to the South Dakota House of Representatives, Kadyn has been awarded a year-long Youth Homelessness Fellowship through the National Council of State Legislators. This program was designed to provide educational support to legislators, while focusing on the causes and consequences of youth and young adult homelessness, and potential policy solutions. In the summer of 2023, she was also accepted into a Bush Foundation Change Network cohort. This year-long study program is designed to share techniques and build networks, giving participants the skills necessary to help make their communities accessible and welcoming to everyone.

Kadyn is employed full-time as the Director of Development for Sioux Falls Family YMCA where she has worked since the summer of 2022. In this role, she raises awareness and funds for the organization by sharing client stories and building sustainable relationships with donors and community partners.