Daniel M. Leikvold

Dan Leikvold was elected to a three-year term to the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees by the Kiwanis International Council in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., in June 2021. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Lead, South Dakota, U.S., as well as the Kiwanis Club of Eye of the Tiger eKiwanis and the Kiwanis Club MN DAK PDOA eclub.  

Leikvold is a former club president. At the district level, he served as governor, lieutenant governor and membership chair. He served on the Key Club International 2.0 Vision Subcommittee of Kiwanis International from 2019 to 2021.  

He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in history and a doctorate in education administration. He has been a teacher, coach and administrator for 35 years. He has been active on many community boards, including service as president of the Handley Recreation Center Board, the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center Board, Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting Board of Directors and the Lead Chamber of Commerce Board. He also served on the Northern Hills Junior Achievement Board and the Monument Health Network Advisory Board. He was chair of the Lead Historic Commission, the Northern Hills Business-Civic Leadership Group, the City of Lead Comprehensive Planning Commission, the Northern Hills Alliance for Children, the Dakota Land Trust Board and the Lead Deadwood Community Foundation. He was co-chair of the Northern Hills United Way Fundraising Campaign, is a Meals on Wheels volunteer and a member of the Deadwood Elks.   

Professional memberships have included the South Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals, South Dakota Unified Schools Association, South Dakota School Superintendent Association, American Association of School Administrators Governing Board, School Administrators of South Dakota Legislative Committee, South Dakota State North Central Association Committee and South Dakota Technology in Education Advisory Board.  

Leikvold’s Kiwanis moment came early in his Kiwanis journey. “As I prepared to go on a mission trip to Honduras, my local club opened up their hearts and their wallets and provided the resources necessary to help make the mission a success,” he said. “When I saw so many, give so much, to so many that they did not know nor with whom they had anything in common, it made me proud to be a Kiwanian.” 

Leikvold and his wife, Tracy, have two children. Tracy is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Lead. Along with service, Leikvold enjoys travel, skiing, biking and hiking.