Jan Feterl Recognized as Woman of Excellence in Public Service

We are proud to celebrate Jan Feterl, who was recently honored with the Woman of Excellence in Public Service award at the 2026 Women in Business Conference hosted by the Sioux Falls Marketing Executives. This recognition reflects not only Jan’s outstanding professional achievements, but also her unwavering commitment to serving others and strengthening our community.

For more than a decade, Jan has helped transform charitable giving into meaningful, measurable impact across our community. In her role with the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota, she has elevated fundraising events into mission-driven experiences that connect donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries with purpose. Through her leadership and thoughtful stewardship, these efforts have generated more than $6.3 million in support of organizations serving those most in need.

Jan is also known for bringing creativity and innovation to public service. She launched Taste the Goodness, an event supporting the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House that reimagined a traditional fundraiser into an accessible evening of food, fellowship, and community engagement. What began as a small reception has grown into a signature event drawing nearly 1,000 attendees and raising more than $114,000 annually for emergency services supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.

Her commitment to service extends far beyond a single role. Jan has led and served with numerous organizations including the National MS Society, SME, Business & Professional Women, NAWIC (NAH-WICK), and EMBE, while dedicating decades of volunteer service to organizations such as The Banquet, St. Francis House, and Bishop Dudley Hospitality House.

Several members of the CCFESD team had the opportunity to attend the conference as part of their own professional development, making the moment even more meaningful as they were present to celebrate when Jan was announced as the winner. Sharing in that experience firsthand was both inspiring and affirming, as her recognition reflects the very values of service, leadership, and excellence that our team strives to live out each day.

Please join us in congratulating Jan on this well-deserved honor and in celebrating the difference she makes!