Erin Dreis Fagnan
has spent her life and career working to save lives. As a civil engineer specializing in Environmental Engineering, she is working to improve drinking water both at home and around the world. A 2010 graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, her work has been printed in several scientific publications.
Erin joined the United States Army National Guard in 2010 as a Specialist with the 200th Engineer Company during Operation Enduring Freedom.
She served as a gunner, driver and team leader on bridge builds from 2011 to 2012 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2013. She also served as Fire Team Leader and Service Member Family Support Group Liaison before being promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2017. After her year in Afghanistan, Erin lost three battle buddies to suicide. These devastating losses prompted Erin to dedicate herself to opening lines of communication between servicemembers and civilians that can save lives.
Growing up in a small town in South Dakota with three older brothers, Erin was especially close with her father, who taught her that she could do anything the boys could do. Her strong faith and resilience helped her in moving through the grief of losing her father to leukemia when she was 21. She threw herself into competitive bodybuilding for three years, and today she continues to set demanding goals and expectations for herself, personally and professionally.
Erin has served as a volunteer with North Carolina Outward Bound and Peace of Adventure, programs that facilitate connections between veterans and civilians with disabilities. Erin also serves on the board of Dog Tag Technologies. Dog Tag provides gun safety and property protection products that operate 24/7 against possible firearm accidents and theft, protecting gun owners and those they love.
As a certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer and Coach, Erin is uniting her military and civic sense of duty with her professional achievements. She understands that courage is a muscle that must be built and reinforced, and that strength sometimes means vulnerability. Erin’s dedication to expanding the circle of connection for veterans, the disabled and their communities is infectious – you and your team will want to hear her message.
What people are saying:
“Erin did a great job engaging our participants. She is charismatic, inclusive, and shows her passion while speaking. She worked to give our participants a meaningful experience. Erin is a great presenter. She asked good questions in our planning calls to ensure she delivered exactly what we wanted so our participants would get the experience they expected. She was a pleasure to work with."
James Jones
“Erin speaks from the heart. I know that when she is speaking on a topic, she is going to present the best information available and make the subject relatable to the audience… Moreover, she is willing to deviate from the security of her own comfort zones, creating and engaging in a persona which all individuals can recognize and relate to. Her unique delivery style does more than engage the audience… Erin’s ability to hold their attention creates positive feedback from attendees which I have received, often times, months later. Topic longevity is the mark of true audience engagement, a dynamic seldom seen in speakers.”
Jeremiah Corbin
“When Erin spoke to our church group, she ‘awed’ us with her story and experience. I witnessed many people in the crowd who were moved with tears yet motivated by her words. She is inspiring, caring and compassionate in all she does - we continue to pray for her and all she does for our world!”
Barbara Forred, Sacred Heart Parish Member, Aberdeen, South Dakota