Hard Hats with Heart Names 2026 Sioux Falls Leadership Team
A coalition of construction and industry leaders is coming together to champion workforce health through the 2026 Sioux Falls Hard Hats with Heart campaign. Led by Event Chair Megan Barkley with L. G. Everist, Inc. and an Executive Leadership Team of local business and community leaders, the initiative supports the American Heart Association's efforts to help workers build healthier habits, increase awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors and strengthen emergency preparedness across the industry.
Hard Hats with Heart brings together construction, engineering, manufacturing, trade and industry leaders committed to advancing workforce health, well-being and safety. Through the campaign, companies are empowered with practical resources that help employees better understand and manage their cardiovascular health while fostering safer, more prepared workplaces.
The 2026 Sioux Falls Hard Hats with Heart Executive Leadership Team includes:
Shelbi Backhaus, Backhaus Excavation & Underground
Saylor Benson, Tyler Goff Group/Benson Remodeling LLC
Kyle Blake, Weller Brothers Landscape Professionals
Brooke Cosand, Cosand Construction
Jessica Crawford, APX Construction Group
Tina Heeren, Gil Haugen Construction
Arie Hoekstra, ISG Inc.
Jenny Kraft, J. H. Larson
Erica Locke, Articulate Interiors
Sean Mayer, Marsh Agency
Lynn Remmers, JLG Architects\
Duston Rhody, WorkFORCE Occupational Health
Amy Sorlien-Lee, Sorlien Electric
The campaign will culminate with the annual Hard Hats with Heart celebration on November 19, 2026, at The District in Sioux Falls, where industry professionals and community leaders will gather to celebrate the impact being made across the region and support the American Heart Association's lifesaving mission.
"As leaders in the construction and industrial sectors, we understand that job site safety and employee health go hand in hand," said Barkley. "Hard Hats with Heart provides companies with practical ways to support the health and well-being of their teams while building a stronger, safer workforce throughout our region."
Construction workers face unique challenges that can increase their risk for cardiovascular disease, including long hours, physical demands, workplace stress and other risk factors. Through Hard Hats with Heart, the American Heart Association works alongside industry leaders to bring health education, well-being resources and lifesaving preparedness tools to workplaces across the community.
"The commitment of our Executive Leadership Team is helping expand awareness around the importance of workplace health and building a culture where teams look out for one another," said Tammy Beintema, development director for the American Heart Association in Sioux Falls. "Together, we are helping companies create healthier environments, increase awareness of heart disease and stroke risk factors, and provide resources that support workers both on and off the job site."
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 80% of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes, making education and prevention critical to improving long-term health outcomes. Hard Hats with Heart encourages organizations to integrate health and well-being into workplace culture through resources such as heart health education, CPR awareness, cardiac emergency preparedness and employee well-being initiatives.
Community members and industry professionals are invited to attend the Hard Hats with Heart event on November 19 and learn more about how the initiative is helping create healthier, safer and more prepared workforces across the Sioux Falls area.
For event information, sponsorship opportunities or tickets, visit www.heart.org/SiouxFallsHardHats.