Who we are
Transforming Wealth
Our Mission
To build stronger, healthier communities by providing support to those who need the most help.
We build sustainable connections and a strong foundation for the future through education, support, and unique opportunity.
About
Transforming Wealth began in a relationship between two moms across class dynamics – united in belief we all can make a difference. Having support during the pandemic, through the death of two parents, and the daily struggles of being a single mom, the relationship provided a life changing difference between surviving & thriving — even in the midst of tragedy.
During these struggles, we began our nonprofit with the belief that more relationships like ours can create a framework where everyone bridging class lines would benefit from support. And this is what facilitates a more generative flow of wealth directly to people who can share within their community for immediate impacts and mutual growth.
Transforming Wealth creates relationships that recognize the wealth we already possess…regardless of our class background or identity
We believe in
Abundance – Sustainability – Equity – Justice – Solidarity – Mutual aid
We are committed to engaging clients and community without discrimination regardless of any protected class (race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc.) and beyond.
Motivation
How do you view yourself?
We are a group that come from a range of class backgrounds.
How do others view you?
We believe in others.
What offers peace?
Finding a sustainable systems that ensure everyone feels supported & secure.
Whats your story?
We began out of relationship.
Our Founders
Meet
Julia Tasuil
Founder
Julia Tausil, a 5th generation South Dakotan, grew up out of state and moved back home nearly 20 years ago. Committed to community work with a working class background centered in access to resources for everyone and seeing first hand the impact of untreated mental health issues, Julia serves as Transforming Wealth’s Executive Director. Armed with first hand experience, years in advocacy work, and as an honored recipient of the Sioux Falls Humanitarian Award, Julia is passionate about the values of Transforming Wealth.
Prior to co-founding Transforming Wealth, Julia founded 2 green gals alongside her late mother, in order to clean like friends who help, not maids, an important distinction that highlights Julia’s emphasis on community, mutual aid and dignity. While Transforming Wealth is South Dakota’s first non-profit centered on wealth transformation and cross-class relationships, Julia has been on the forefront of social justice and equity movements across the state for years as a part of her grassroots collective, South Dakotans Healing Racism, where she creates space around difficult topics. In all of Julia’s work she strives to embody the goal of “leaving things better than you found them.”
As a frontline advocate Julia is proud to bring Transforming Wealth to South Dakota, keeping in line with that goal.
Meet
Shannon Emry
Founder
As a local pediatrician working with families from all backgrounds, Shannon Emry is resolved in her desire to protect and care for our most vulnerable people. After growing up in Colorado, she moved to South Dakota to attend Augustana College, graduating in 1993. She then attended medical school in Bethesda, Maryland and served in the United States Air Force in Ohio, Colorado, and Nebraska. These experiences and more helped to crystallize her family values of service & integrity.
This commitment to service and protecting others led Dr. Emry, a mother of three, to spearhead gun safety movements in her community, with hopes of creating community-based change. Dedicated to the concepts of public health and health equity, Dr. Emry selflessly sprung into action at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling to New York to serve our nation’s communities most in need.
Dr. Emry continues her community work as an agent of change with Transforming Wealth by directing resources and care to marginalized community members, understanding that when resources are directed to those most vulnerable, then we all benefit.
Meet
Nieema Thasing
Founder
Nieema Thasing is a mother of three children and godmother to seven.
Nieema is a community leader, visionary, and dedicated elder. Born in 1949 in Chicago, Nieema grew up in St. Paul before marrying and moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she attended the University of Minnesota (focused on Sociology), St. Paul Tech, and Minnesota School of Business. She eventually found her way to South Dakota upon her return to the USA after a number of years in the Netherlands.
She served two terms as councilperson in Elkton, South Dakota, as the first Black Muslim woman in that role, and was Vice President in Ward 1 during her term. She has founded Our Healing Village, is a facilitator with Beyond Consequences and contributing facilitator for South Dakotans Healing Racism, served as chair of the Brookings Human Rights Commission and president of the Brookings League of Women Voters. She also opened her home and heart to foster seventeen Dept of Corrections at-risk teen boys and rescued twenty-one horses over many years while not having an acreage of her own.
She offers a wealth of wisdom at 73 years old and is a foundational part of Transforming Wealth. She and Julia met in 2016, and her mentorship has offered many opportunities for growth.
Board of Directors
Mina Raver
Mike Henriksen
Heather Ferguson
TBD
TBD
TBD
We believe in
- Abundance
- Sustainability
- Equity
- Justice
- Solidarity
- Mutual Aid
Transforming Wealth
Transforming Wealth
Transforming Wealth navigates the support networks, pushing past the red tape that only dehumanizes and limits access for those most in need.
Transforming Wealth is about creating cross-class relationships to facilitate a more generative flow of wealth directly to people — in ways that will have the most impact.
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