BROOKINGS Brookings Mayor Oepke Ope Niemeyer has announced Kirsten Gjesdal as recipient of the Mayors Generational Leadership Award for 2024, honoring her involvement in the Brookings community.
Niemeyer will recognize Gjesdal at the annual Mayors Awards and Holiday Celebration event on Dec. 4 at the Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Ave. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with the awards program starting at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Gjesdal is the executive director of Downtown Brookings and owner of The Carrot Seed Kitchen Co. Through her work at Downtown Brookings, Gjesdal helps inspire young entrepreneurs, fosters business and building-owner relationships, and creates a sense of community through various placemaking and economic development opportunities.
A longtime Brookings resident, Gjesdal graduated from OGorman High School in Sioux Falls before attending South Dakota State University, where she majored in hospitality management.
Prior to her work at Downtown Brookings, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to open her first business in 2015, The Carrot Seed Kitchen Co., a specialty store offering a wide range of kitchen items. In 2019, she expanded her business endeavors with the launch of Honeycomb Gifts, offering unique gift items.
In April 2023, Downtown Brookings a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization officially became independent from the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce. Gjesdal played a pivotal role in the planning discussions, contributing to the future direction of the organization. Due to her dedication and passion for both her business and the downtown community, she was selected as the executive director of Downtown Brookings.
In just under two years at the helm, Gjesdal has built the organizations foundation and fostered a thriving downtown environment. Known for her positive and lively presence, Gjesdal is committed to making a lasting impact on how people interact with their communities.
Gjesdals work, both as a business owner and community leader, has significantly impacted Brookings, motivating others to engage with and contribute to the community.
The Mayors Generational Leadership Award recognizes the importance of young leaders who make a community vibrant and dynamic. This award is given to a community member 35 years old or younger who has affected the community in the following ways:
- Positively changes how people think about the community and city;
- Helps Brookings attract and retain young professionals and families;
- Motivates new generations to be active in their communities; and contributes to the advancement and well-being of the community through service in areas such as: education, sports, fund-raising, charitable-voluntary service, economic development, arts and the environment.
Leave a Reply