New director of communications looks forward to taking team to the next level

Ann Metli’s storied career began while she was a senior at the University of South Dakota (USD). A communications major, Metli was taking Secret Service security training as part of her work as a volunteer member of the Press Advance team for President George H.W. Bush.

“As a member of the press advance team, it was imperative to understand what to look for with guests and members of the press—above all, it was about keeping the president safe,” said Metli, who joined the Sanford Underground Research Facility as the new director of communications in August. “Initially I was like a deer in headlights. Here I was, a South Dakota kid directing experienced national press, press corp, and local press. Who was I to tell a big-shot reporter they couldn’t access certain areas and people during the presidents visit?”

It didn’t take her long to feel comfortable in leadership and, after graduating, she soon moved into other high-profile roles. She worked for an advertising firm and served as Vice President of Marketing at a local savings and loan bank before taking a few years off to be a stay-at-home mom. Ann returned to the workforce as chief of marketing and strategy at the regional Girl Scouts office in Sioux Falls, before making her way back to financial marketing at a regional community bank.

“My passion and love for Girl Scouts and the work they do to build young leaders has been steadfast. I am excited to bring that same enthusiasm to my role at SURF,” Metli said. “I want to take all the good work that’s been done up to this point and build more opportunities to create awareness about SURF and its mission to advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations. We want SURF to be recognized at the state, national, and international level.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ann Metli as our Director of Communications,” said Deb Wolf, director of Outreach and Culture. “Ann brings many years of expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking to our Outreach teams. In just a few short weeks, it is already clear that Ann leads with joy and by building relationships. We are truly grateful Ann said ‘yes’ to moving to the Black Hills and joining SURF.”

Metli grew up in Colorado and then Sioux Falls, where she raised her three children. However, vacations often meant a trip to the southern Black Hills. “This has been my happy place for years. I’m excited about exploring and getting to know the northern Hills better.”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota, she spent the summer backpacking in Europe, where she watched a Grand Prix in Monaco, traveled in the Soviet Union, and witnessed the dismantling of Check Point Charlie the year after the Berlin Wall fell.

“It felt so liberating and I was honored to witness this famous check point come down,” she said. “It’s a moment that will remain with me forever.”

After getting her feet wet with a Sioux Falls marketing firm, Metli returned to the University of South Dakota, where she earned a master’s degree in communications.

“I’m proud of the education I received here in South Dakota. It gave me a solid foundation in communications and set me on a fulfilling and fun career path,” Metli said.

With her new position at SURF, Metli has met a “lifelong goal.”

“I have always wanted to live in the mountains and this job became available at a time when I was ready to move. I had ‘launched’ my children and it was my time to seek opportunities in an environment I have dreamt of living in since childhood,” Metli said.

Metli spent a lot of time researching SURF before hitting the button to submit her resume.

“What I learned about SURF really intrigued me,” she said. “You know, bank finance marketing is a great thing to be a part of. But there’s this heart that’s part of this organization—and such potential for discovery. I’m excited, just like I was with the Girl Scouts where I was doing work for good—and I feel that way here.”

“So, being able to live in an environment I love and being able to expand my horizons into a completely new field is rather idyllic for me. I can’t wait to see what the future will bring.”