Buena Vista University Welcomes Five New Members to Board of Trustees

The new members of Buena Vista University's Board of Trustees are Mike Leatherman '90 (top left), Joanne Sebby '97 (top right), Dr. Kim Linduska (bottom left), Susan Briscoe Tideman '86 (bottom center), and Marty Gallagher '91 (bottom right).

October 10, 2024

Buena Vista University (BVU) is proud to announce the addition of five distinguished individuals to its Board of Trustees: Marty Gallagher '91, Mike Leatherman '90, Dr. Kim Linduska, Joanne Sebby '97, and Susan Briscoe Tideman '86. Their collective expertise in business, education, and community engagement will advance BVU's mission to prepare students for lifelong success while aligning with its strategic vision of Building Beyond Expectations.

Marty Gallagher '91 is the CEO and Co-Founder of Talk To Me Technologies, a company that manufactures speech-generating devices and inclusive communication boards. His work supports individuals with communication disabilities, including those with autism, cerebral palsy, and ALS. Prior to launching Talk To Me Technologies, Gallagher held leadership roles at The Storm Lake Times, Siefer Consultants, and Central Bank, and is a published author. He has spent four decades volunteering as a youth coach and since 2021 serves on the Board of Directors at Security Trust & Savings Bank in Storm Lake. He lives in Sioux City with his wife, Emily, and their five children.

Mike Leatherman '90 is the CEO of Ludacka Wealth Partners, where he leads client relationship strategies, drives team operations, and oversees firm revenue growth as well as business acquisitions and partnerships. Leatherman and his wife, Mary Kay, live in Omaha, Nebraska, and along with their three adult children, Connor, Morgan, and Sean, are active in local charity work, including volunteering at the Sienna Francis House. In his free time, he enjoys golf, Nebraska football, and spending time with family.

Dr. Kim Linduska spent 24 years as Executive Vice President at Des Moines Area Community College, overseeing academic and student affairs across six campuses. After retiring, she served as interim provost at Buena Vista University and now leads the Iowa Private Transfer Collaborative, supporting student transfers across Iowa's private colleges. A longtime team chair for the Higher Learning Commission, Dr. Linduska resides in Ames, Iowa, with her husband, Steve. They have three children and four grandchildren.

Joanne Sebby '97 is the Chief Risk Officer for Fiserv, where she oversees the strategic development and execution of the company's enterprise and operational risk management programs. She also serves as Executive Sponsor of Fiserv's Women's Impact Network, an employee resource group for Fiserv associates. Previously, Sebby held several leadership roles at First Data, including Chief Audit Executive and Vice President of Enterprise Security, Risk, and Compliance. Sebby, a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Information Security Manager, resides in Omaha, Nebraska.

Susan Briscoe Tideman '86 is the Executive Director of the Blue Valley Educational Foundation in Overland Park, Kansas, where she manages fiscal operations and strategic initiatives to enhance educational excellence. Previously, she spent over twenty years at William Jewell College as Associate Vice President for Advancement and held leadership roles at the University of Missouri - Columbia, Girl Scouts USA, and the American Red Cross. Known for her commitment to community engagement and resource development, Tideman has received recognition in the educational and non-profit sectors. She and her husband, Curt, reside in Leawood, Kansas, and are proud parents of three grown children.

For more information about Buena Vista University's strategic vision, go to bvu.edu/building-beyond.