The John T. Vucurevich Foundation is pleased to announce that Jacqui Dietrich will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 2024. Dietrich succeeds Alan Solano who brought the foundation through the COVID-19 pandemic and solidified a new strategic direction for the organization.
With an impressive background in nonprofit leadership, economic development, and community engagement, Dietrich brings a wealth of experience to the Foundation. Before joining JTVF, Jacqui was the Executive Director of the Rapid City Arts Council, where she championed arts accessibility, overseeing nearly $2 million in post-pandemic investments aimed at enriching quality of life in Rapid City. During her tenure, the Arts Council continued to receive long standing support from JTVF, amplifying its mission to expand access to the arts for Rapid City youth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jacqui Dietrich as our new CEO,” said Jennifer Trucano, Board Chair of the John T. Vucurevich Foundation. “Her proven track record of fostering partnerships and advocating for community needs aligns perfectly with our mission. We are confident that Jacqui will lead the Foundation in its continued efforts to create positive change and enhance the lives of individuals in our community.”
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of CEO at the John T. Vucurevich Foundation” said Jacqui. “Leading an organization with such a profound legacy of improving lives and strengthening our community through strategic investment, advocacy, and partnership is both a privilege and a responsibility. I am wholeheartedly committed to JTVF’s mission of uplifting low-income families, and I look forward to working closely with our dedicated staff, board, and partners to build a future where all families and children have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
More about Jacqui
A fifth-generation West River South Dakotan, Jacqui Dietrich was born in Rapid City and her commitment to economic equity is deeply rooted in her own experiences and upbringing. Her career began with roles in family-owned small businesses in Rapid City, cultivating a passion for helping other entrepreneurs. Later, she spent over a decade in Colorado, advancing economic mobility, social impact, and entrepreneurship initiatives focused on underserved communities. Guided by data demonstrating that every 1% increase in entrepreneurial activity leads to a 2% decrease in poverty, Jacqui has tirelessly worked to foster inclusive economic growth and opportunity.
Jacqui holds an MBA from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was a fellow in the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, and a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University. She is married to Clint and they have two adult sons, Dorian and Daevin, who live and work in the Black Hills.
