10 NORTHERN MAGAZINE For Weaver, BIG Idea is about more than developing business plans. It is about helping young people recognize that they can make a meaningful impact in their own communities. Too often, young people in rural communities grow up believing success means leaving for a larger city, Weaver said. Success can start right where you are, and BIG Idea challenges the participants to look at their own communities, recognize opportunities and imagine ways to make a difference. Her commitment to entrepreneurship and economic development is rooted in a career that began shortly after graduating from Northern. After earning her degree, Weaver joined the Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG), where she worked in regional planning and economic development. When NECOG became home to the Small Business Development Center in 1998, her focus shifted toward directly assisting entrepreneurs, a role she has embraced ever since. Throughout her career, Weaver continues to expand her professional expertise. She holds certifications as an Economic Development Finance Professional, Housing Development Finance Professional, QuickBooks Pro Advisor and Certified Facilitator. She also completed Profit Mastery University training, further strengthening her ability to help business owners navigate financial decision-making and growth strategies. Her leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce’s ABBY Award for Professional Service, ABBY Award for Customer Service and the Woman of Spirit Award. She serves on advisory boards throughout the area, including the Northern Innovation and Startup Center board, helping strengthen entrepreneurship education and business development opportunities throughout the region. A longtime advocate for workforce development, Weaver has been actively involved with the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce since 1998. She has contributed articles to Chamber Progress for more than two decades and has served on the workforce and education committee, including time as committee chair. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Weaver is widely recognized for her extensive volunteer service and community involvement. She has been a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s choir and cantor ministry for more than 25 years and has dedicated countless hours to organizations that enrich life in South Dakota. Among those organizations is the Aberdeen Drift Busters Snowmobile Club, where she has been an active member since 1986. Over the years, she has served as secretary, vice president and president while volunteering for safety education programs, conventions, fundraising events and community activities. Her leadership within organized snowmobiling has expanded to the state level through the South Dakota Snowmobile Association, where she served as president from 2023 to 2025. She also continues to represent South Dakota nationally through the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. Her dedication to the sport has earned significant recognition, including South Dakota Woman Snowmobiler of the Year, Snowmobile Family of the Year and induction into the Iron Dog Brigade, an honorary society recognizing individuals with decades of leadership and service within organized snowmobiling. Despite an impressive list of accomplishments, Weaver remains focused on the people she serves. Whether helping a first-time entrepreneur write a business plan, guiding a family through the purchase of a business or encouraging students to pursue innovative ideas, she believes success is built through relationships, support and community. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of collaboration and mentorship, often noting that no entrepreneur succeeds alone. Her work reflects a deep belief in the power of connected communities and the importance of helping others realize their potential. Weaver and her husband, Jim, live in Aberdeen. They enjoy spending time with daughter Lauren Bittner, son-in-law Nick, and grandchildren, Lennon and Gavin. Weaver said she has enjoyed watching the growth and changes at Northern over the years. She especially enjoys the times she can engage with students on campus. She regularly makes presentations to business students in class about entrepreneurship and serves as a judge for the student business pitch competition each fall. She has hired and mentored dozens of Northern students through internships during her time with the Small Business Development Center. Her career has been defined by a commitment to helping others succeed, whether through supporting entrepreneurs, mentoring future business leaders or strengthening community organizations. Through her leadership, service and unwavering dedication to economic development, she has left a lasting mark on northeastern South Dakota and exemplifies the impact Northern State University graduates can have on their communities.
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