The Hall of Fame isn’t just an award — it’s the highest honor we give to individuals who show up to work every day with their whole heart, their sharpest thinking, and their very best self.
Hall of Fame recipients don’t just talk about our core values — they live them out loud. They turn challenges into opportunities, bring creativity to the fundamentals, and move our mission forward in ways both big and small. What sets them apart isn’t a title on their door, but the way their peers look to them, the way participants light up around them, and the way they lead through action.
This recognition celebrates people who refuse to settle for “good enough,” who lift others as they grow, and who remind all of us what’s possible when you bring your best to work every single day. We are proud to welcome this year’s inductees into the Black Hills Works Hall of Fame.
Lanaya Young
Behavioral Health Technician
Lanaya is what happens when a work ethic that won’t quit meets a heart as big as the Black Hills — and she’s been proving it since day one. She doesn’t just show up for participants; she goes all in. From meaningful trips to Bear Butte to support grief processing, to overnight adventures in Deadwood that check off long-held bucket list dreams, Lanaya consistently finds ways to make life richer for the people she supports.
Beyond her direct work with participants, Lanaya trains new staff, serves on the DSP Advisory Board, works as an Advanced Safety Care trainer, and volunteers with theater groups where she helps young people find their voice on stage. She fills shifts without hesitation, brings creative solutions that make everyone’s job easier, and has a rare gift for truly seeing people — then helping them become the best version of themselves.
Her colleagues rely on her knowledge and steady presence. Participants trust her because they know she respects their dreams and their dignity. Lanaya doesn’t just live the mission of Black Hills Works — she brings it to life every single day, and everyone around her is better because of it.
Tamie Hopp
Director of Philanthropy
For the past six years, Tamie has shown up to Black Hills Works not just physically, but with her whole heart. She’s the one running 10Ks with participants, standing alongside grieving families, celebrating Special Olympics victories, and somehow making every department feel supported and valued along the way.
Tamie chairs the Rapid City Disability Awareness and Accessibility Committee, builds meaningful connections between law enforcement and the people they serve, helps organize community events like the Parade of Lights, and ensures donated resources — from bikes to opportunities — reach the people who need them most. She has an exceptional ability to build bridges between people, programs, and possibilities.
Her leadership is grounded in respect, accountability, and a deep understanding that behind every fundraising goal or policy decision is a real person whose life can be impacted. Tamie doesn’t just champion the mission of Black Hills Works — she lives it out loud, and everyone around her rises because of it.
Dee Schulze
Direct Support Professional
For more than 15 years, Dee has been a steady, quiet force at Black Hills Works — the kind of presence that makes people feel safer, calmer, and more capable simply by being there. When situations escalate, Dee stays grounded. When someone needs to be heard, she listens fully. When participants want meaningful ways to contribute, she connects them with volunteer opportunities across the community, from the Salvation Army to Fork Real to Feeding South Dakota.
Dee is the colleague others turn to for guidance and the person participants seek out because they know she genuinely cares. She’s built lasting relationships with community partners who recognize her by name and welcome her with enthusiasm. Through integrity, compassion, and unwavering reliability, Dee leads by example every day.
She doesn’t seek recognition, but her impact is undeniable. After more than 15 years of lifting others through steady, heart-centered leadership, this Hall of Fame honor is deeply deserved.
Welcome to the Hall of Fame
This year’s Hall of Fame recipients represent the very best of Black Hills Works. Through dedication, creativity, compassion, and leadership, they show what’s possible when people bring their best to the work — and bring others along with them.
We are honored to celebrate Lanaya, Tamie, and Dee, and proud to welcome them into the Black Hills Works Hall of Fame.
