Our Growth Project Advisory Board

Wilson Kubwayo
Founder, OGP Advisory Board Member

Wilson Kubwayo, MBA., is an inspirational speaker, educator and social justice activist. Drawing from his personal experiences as they relate to displacement as a refugee youth, scholastic struggles, and many various others, Wilson’s message of Climbing the Walls of Greatness has been acquired by numerous of schools, organizations and corporations across the country.

Originally from Burundi, Wilson spent his entire childhood in a Tanzania refugee camp where he grew up for more than ten years. His family was first resettled in Tucson, Arizona. After residing in South Dakota and Minnesota throughout his college years, Wilson is now based in Portland, Oregon.

Visit WilsonKubwayo.com for more information.

Terry Liggins
OGP Advisory Board President

Terry Liggins, The Hurdle Life Coach, is a professional motivational, inspirational, and educational speaker. He is a subject matter expert in the fields pertaining to addiction management, vulnerable adults in transition, adverse childhood experiences and leadership. He is a proud Alumnus of The University of South Dakota where he received his BA in Criminal Justice and Leadership Studies (2008); as well as earned his Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management (2011).  He is also a graduate of Conscious Youth Solutions’ inaugural Youth League Apprenticeship (YLA) Program (2017) and the inaugural Leaders of Tomorrow Community Development Program (2018) both Powered by Think 3D Solutions.

Terry serves as Chair of OGP’s Advisory Board with responsibilities and commitments to strategic community partnerships, strategic membership  recruiting efforts, strategic fundraising, and outside of that launching OGP’s Education Programs as Volunteer member of the Operations Team. He is very passionate about leadership development, youth impact, mentorship, entrepreneurship, career exploration and advocating for a more inclusive and empowered community for diverse and unique populations. He believes very much in helping others to realize and live out their full potential individually while constantly reminding others through his example that Humility, Gratitude, Honesty and Team work are the true master keys.

Rocky M. Hayes
OGP Advisory Board Member

With over 20 years of experience in consulting, photography, videography, design and marketing, Rocky is the owner/president of Rocky Hayes Design. After growing up on a ranch and graduating high school in Murdo, South Dakota, Rocky went on to graduate from South Dakota State University with a bachelor of science degree in art with an emphasis in graphic design.

After college, he worked in the areas of design and marketing for a technical communications firm and for a health system as their director of marketing and public relations. As technology advances so has his services into digital marketing, communications, and new media along with giving presentations regarding successful techniques in social media practices.

Since 1996, Rocky has had his own business servicing a diverse clientele all over the United States. His clients range from: Fortune 500 companies, political campaigns, non-profit organizations, and myriad other startup and small to large businesses. Rocky also serves on several other local organizations including a Survivors Joining for Hope board member, is a member of the Sioux Falls Scottish Rite, Unity Masonic Lodge, is an El Riad Shrine noble and serves as its public relations chairman.

After serving two years as an Our Growth Project active board member and one if its original members, he has transitioned to the OGP Advisory Board.

Nelson Verite Nitunga
OGP Advisory Board Member

Nelson Nitunga is a co-Founder of NdefuVision; a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to make a significant difference in the lives of Burundian orphans through financial generosity and through volunteering programs. Besides his duty as a treasurer, Nelson has taken most of the photos on our site and helps to run our marketing efforts.

Nelson graduated from Dakota State University with a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics for Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading and playing soccer. Nelson currently resides in Portland, Oregon. 

 

 

Laura Smith-Hill
OGP Advisory Board Member

Laura has been an educator for over 20 years. She began her teaching career by moving to Hokkaido, Japan, where she mentored and taught high school girls as their American English Teacher. Today, Laura serves as the Education Program Coordinator for the Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota Center for New Americans (LSS-CNA), where she has worked for the past 18 years. Laura has nine years of experience in program administration. In addition to program coordination and supervising instructors, she also continues to teach weekly English Language classes. Laura develops and facilitates educational programming to develop verbal communication skills, literacy skills, workforce readiness, citizenship and civics education for immigrant adults.
Laura is also experienced in the design and delivery of professional development, including conference planning. Laura has assisted with planning and hosting statewide and regional conferences since 2009. She is a member of the South Dakota Adult Education and Literacy Professional Development Team for English Language Acquisition and Civics Education. Laura facilitates the statewide English Language Instructor Development Program for adult ELL instructors with the SD Department of Labor and Regulation.
As a program supervisor, teacher educator, training facilitator and presenter, Laura is passionate about applying and sharing research based, best practices that prepare individuals to achieve their life goals and professional aspirations. Laura has been an active training facilitator and conference presenter since 2001.
In addition to her work with Lutheran Social Services, Laura has held leadership roles in non-profit organizations such as Dakota TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and the South Dakota Association for Lifelong Learning (SDALL). Laura is enthusiastic about personal and professional development, leadership and life-long learning. She is inspired through collaborative learning and mentoring of others as a leadership team member in her Toastmasters Club 210.

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