Board of Trustees

The Briar Cliff University Board of Trustees provides the strategic leadership that shapes the institution’s future. As our highest governing body, the Board sets policy, guides academic and programmatic growth, and ensures that every decision reflects Briar Cliff’s Franciscan mission and values.

It further includes representatives from our alumni, faculty, and staff, in addition to the current student body president, all of whom participate in Board meetings and committees, ensuring diverse perspectives are reflected in the University’s strategic decision-making.

Steve Stouffer

Board of Trustees Chair

Retired President
Tyson Fresh Meats
Jefferson, SD                         

Lisa Estlund, JD

Board of Trustees Vice Chair

Deputy General Counsel
Great West Casualty Company
South Sioux City, NE   

Jane Shey ('79)

Academic Affairs, Student Life & Mission Committee Chair

Consultant
World Food Program, USA
Algona, IA

Dan Moore, JD

Partner
Moore Corbett Heffernan Moeller & Meis
Sioux City, IA

Sister Kate Katoski, OSF ('69)

University Relations Committee Chair

Director of Development
Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA

Steve DeVoe

Chief Operating Officer
CNOS
Dakota Dunes, SD

Greg Hoffman

Finance Committee Chair

North Sioux City President
People's Bank
Sioux City, IA

Gail Bernstein ('87)

Retired Speech Pathologist
Dakota Dunes, SD

Terry Friedman ('75)

Governance Committee Chair

Terry Friedman Consulting, LLC
Dubuque, IA

Sister Renae Hohensee, OSF ('07)

Ministry
St. Pius X Parish
Urbandale, IA

Darrell Jesse, JD

Audit Committee Chair

Partner
Crary Huff Law Firm
Sioux City, IA

Sister Kathy Knipper, OSF

President
Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA

Most Reverend John E. Keehner                         

Bishop
Diocese of Sioux City
Sioux City, IA

Mark Schuett

Owner
American Natural Soy, Inc.
Dakota Dunes, SD

Kathy LaFavor, MD ('01)

Physician
Siouxland Women's Health Care
Dakota Dunes, SD

Ben Sitzmann ('12)

Senior Director of Sales
Sterling
Dakota Dunes, SD

Tom Padgett

Retired 
Psychology Professor at Briar Cliff University
Director of the Gerald Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service at Albion College

Tricia Van Den Top ('94)

Retired 
Commander (Vice President - Operations, Installation and Mission Support)                         
Air Force Global Strike Command 90th Missile Wing