The Question and Answer feature helps readers learn more about prominent people in the business community. This issue’s Q&A profiles Jennifer Kline, who formerly worked in various positions in South Dakota politics and is now president of the National MS Society North Central States Chapter.
 Jennifer Kline is president of the National MS Society North Central States Chapter. (Inertia/for the SFBJ)
Name: Jennifer Kline
Title: President, National MS Society North Central States Chapter
Hometown: Aberdeen
Age: 35
Background: Graduated from Minnesota State University at Mankato with a bachelor’s degree in public administration and an emphasis on nursing home administration; held various positions in South Dakota politics for 10 years, including congressional work for U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson and campaign work for former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle; has been with the National MS Society since 2004; serves on the board for the Good Samaritan Communities of Sioux Falls
Family: Husband, Jeffrey; three daughters, Madeleine, 6, and Laura and Mary, 22-month-old twins
Q: Tell me about your hobbies.
A: “I really don’t have a lot of time for hobbies with my busy job and young children, but I enjoy genealogy and hope to someday devote more time to it.”
Q: How did you become interested in your field?
A: “It’s always been important to me to have a career in which I can help people. Though I thoroughly enjoyed my political work, my heart was always in health care. Working for a health-care nonprofit allows me to combine my background in fundraising, advocacy and program development with helping thousands of individuals affected by a devastating disease.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about work?
A: “That I have the opportunity to develop a vision and make it operational. I have the most amazing staff and board, and it’s both fun and rewarding to lead a team that has such passion and dedication toward a cause. I also love to see the generosity of people and businesses in our communities.”
Q: What sparked your commitment to service?
A: “I cannot remember a time in my life I didn’t want to serve. Even as a young child, I felt a calling to try to leave the world a better place than how I found it. Working for (former) Sen. Tom Daschle solidified that for me. He taught me that the greatest form of service is leadership, no matter how much courage it sometimes takes.”
Q: How do you find time to balance your job and your family?
A: “It’s not easy. I’m fortunate to have a very involved and supportive husband. When I’m at work, I give it 110 percent, and when I’m not working, I give my family 110 percent.”
Q: What’s your favorite getaway?
A: “I have a group of friends that I’ve met for coffee weekly for the past eight years. Once every summer we pick a day, skip out on work and take a road trip. We hit about every small town in southeast South Dakota we can in eight or nine hours – stopping at every meat locker, cheese plant, cafe or bar we can visit. It’s a great time. I love the small towns and people in them, and I love getting away from it all with these good friends.”
Q: What’s something about you people would be surprised to know?
A: “That I have a pathetic indulgence of keeping up on celebrity gossip.”
Q: What kind of music is in your car or what do you listen to on the radio?
A: “I love listening to all kinds of music and listen to it all the time. I’m definitely a channel flipper. I especially love the radio personalities on our local stations. They are extremely supportive of the National MS Society! My iPod is just as varied – U2, Dixie Chicks, Live, Neil Diamond – my preferences are all over the place. My girls and I often turn up the radio loud and have ‘dance parties’ on our kitchen floor. I’m sure the neighbors sometimes see and think we’re crazy, but we have fun.”
Q: What do you think are the best and worst things about living in Sioux Falls?
A: “It’s what everyone says, but it’s true – the best thing is the people. I know all of my neighbors and consider them friends. That doesn’t happen everywhere. Worst thing: not enough competition among airlines. Too many people drive to Omaha or Minneapolis for more affordable or more direct flights.”
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