The South Dakota Synod is led by Bishop Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, who was elected to the office in 1995. A native of North Dakota, Bishop Andrea is a graduate of Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Before coming to the South Dakota synod, she served as the assistant to the bishop in the Western North Dakota Synod, as parish pastor in Madison, Wisc., and Glenburn and Surrey, N.D., and as a hospital chaplain in Minot, N.D.

Working with Bishop Andrea to serve the congregations of South Dakota are:
* The Rev. David G. Larson, assistant to the bishop
* The Rev. Jeff Sorenson, assistant to the bishop
* Jim Schade, development counselor
* The Rev. Larry Peterson, director of Native American Ministries
* Donna Kniffen, office manager and bookkeeper
* Linda Beckman, resource center director and receptionist
* Elaine Keenihan, program secretary
* Carol Knapp, communications secretary