Committees

Provides leadership, knowledge and guidance to advance Community Foundation goals, including growing asset development and strengthening our community by expanding philanthropy.

• Debbie Hubbell, Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Steve Lacy, Board Vice Chair, Dotdash Meredith, Retired
• Marta Codina, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Retired
• Susan Fitzsimmons, Board Secretary, Christensen Development
• Ardis Kelley, Cornflower Studio
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Gerry Neugent, Board Treasurer, Knapp Properties
• Fred Hubbell, Engaged Citizen
• Cynthia Thorland, LCS, Retired

Supports strong financial stewardship and accountability across the Community Foundation. Members oversee financial reporting, internal controls, risk management and the annual independent audit, along with policies that protect donor intent, information security, business continuity and ethical practices.

• Ardis Kelley,  Committee Chair, Cornflower Studio
• Debbie Hubbell (ad hoc), Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Diane Bridgewater, LCS, Retired
• Kara Falco*, Casey's General Stores
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Heather Richardson*, UnityPoint Health
• Mark Rupprecht, R&R Realty Group
• Cynthia Thorland, LCS, Retired

Supports the Community Foundation’s asset development goals by identifying and engaging prospective donors. Members help shape and evaluate charitable giving tools, including fund options, complex gifts, and planned giving opportunities, while also supporting donor and advisor education and outreach.

• Cynthia Thorland, Committee Chair, LCS, Retired
• Debbie Hubbell (ad hoc), Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Roxanne Conlin*, Roxanne Conlin & Associates
• Dr. Richard Deming*, MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center 
• Jem Gong-Browne*, Principal Financial Group
• George Hiller, Hiller & Associates
• Meredith Hubbell Stahl*, Good Life Therapy, LLC
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Liz Lidgett*, Liz Lidgett Gallery and Design
• Todd Millang, Millang Capital
• Sunnie Richer, Doextra
• Robert G. Riley, Jr., Riley Resource Group
  

Strengthens the region by identifying and supporting programs, partnerships and projects that address pressing community needs. Provides guidance on collaborative initiatives and strategies that maximize impact.

• Debbie Hubbell, Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Steve Lacy, Board Vice Chair, Dotdash Meredith, Retired
• Marta Codina, Grantmaking Chair, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Retired
• Angie Dethlefs-Trettin, Chief Community Impact Officer
• Kristi Knous, President
  

Oversees the financial operations of the Community Foundation and its Charitable Trust. Provides guidance on the annual budget, financial statements, asset and liability management, long-term financial planning and operating reserves. The committee also oversees accounting practices, financial policies and the review of annual tax filings to help ensure continued fiscal health and compliance.

• Gerry Neugent, Committee Chair, Knapp Properties
• Debbie Hubbell (ad-hoc), Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Susan Fitzsimmons, Board Secretary, Christensen Development
• Franklin Codel*, xBk
• Mary Coffin, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Retired
• Tej Dhawan*, Plains Angels
• Rob Feeney, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Steve Lacy, Dotdash Meredith, Retired
• Darren Rebelez, Casey’s General Stores

Reviews the facilitation of gifts and due diligence information for the Community Foundation.

• Debbie Hubbell, Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Steve Lacy, Board Vice Chair, Dotdash Meredith, Retired
• Cynthia Thorland, Charitable Giving Chair, LCS, Retired
• Susan Fitzsimmons, Board Secretary, Christensen Development
• Gerry Neugent, Board Treasurer, Knapp Properties
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President 
• Kris Pete-Swanson (non-voting), Chief Financial Officer
  

Supports strong board leadership and effective governance for the Community Foundation. Members recruit and cultivate new board members, oversee board orientation and ongoing education and monitor overall board performance to help ensure diverse representation, thoughtful leadership and long-term organizational strength.

• Gerry Neugent, Committee Chair, Knapp Properties
• Debbie Hubbell (ad hoc), Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Marta Codina, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Retired
• Fred Hubbell, Engaged Citizen
• Izaah Knox, Urban Dreams
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Steve Lacy, Board Vice Chair, Dotdash Meredith, Retired
• Todd Millang, Millang Capital

Promotes effective grantmaking for the Community Foundation. Responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors for awarding grant funds to community nonprofit organizations and charitable efforts that enhance the quality of life in Greater Des Moines.

• Marta Codina, Committee Chair, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Retired
• Debbie Hubbell (ad hoc), Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Ena Babic Barnes*, Iowa Credit Union Foundation
• Joyce Chapman, West Bank, Retired
• Sally Dix*, Bravo Greater Des Moines
• Allison Fleming*, Community Volunteer
• Dr. Adreain Henry, Mercy College of Health Sciences
• Dr. Nalo Johnson*, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
• Dr. Joseph Jones, United Way of Central Iowa
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Mike Simonson, Simonson & Associates Architects, Retired

Oversees the management of the Community Foundation’s invested funds. Recommends and implements investment policies, selects investment managers, sets asset allocation and objectives and monitors performance. The committee also reviews the spending policy for endowed funds and provides oversight of the Charitable Investment Partners program and affiliated advisors.

• Fred Hubbell, Committee Chair, Engaged Citizen
• Debbie Hubbell (ad hoc), Board Chair, Community Volunteer
• Jessica Bush, Legacy Bridge Private Family Offices
• Suzanna de Baca, Story Board Advisors
• Nora Everett*, Principal Financial Group
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
Sheldon Ohringer*, Mango Seed Investments
• John Owens*, Morningstar Investment Management LLC
• John Ruan IV, Bankers Trust Company
• Kukuu Saah, Ntontan RE
• Brad Schoenfelder, Ryan Companies
  

Responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Community Foundation’s Impact Investing Program through identification, selection, execution and monitoring of investments through the portfolio

• Sheldon Ohringer, Committee Chair*, Mango Seed Investments
• Angie Dethlefs-Trettin (non-voting), Chief Community Impact Officer
• Dr. Nalo Johnson*, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation
• Kristi Knous (non-voting), President
• Kris Pete-Swanson (non-voting), Chief Financial Officer 
• Kukuu Saah, Ntontan RE
• Cynthia Thorland, LCS, Retired

Advises the Community Foundation on industry best practices to engage donors and elevate the impact of grantmaking and community leadership.

• Suzanna de Baca, Story Board Advisors
• Micholyn Fajen, Fajen Consulting
• Courtney Greene, UnityPoint Health
• Susan Hatten, Holmes Murphy
• Adam Hoffman, Lessing-Flynn
• Becca Mataloni, ITA Group
• Katie Petru, Casey’s General Stores
• Courtney Shaw, Greater Des Moines Partnership
• Emily Steele, Hummingbirds
  

Advises the Community Foundation about the changing needs of professional advisors and helps broaden the circle of advisors and clients who work with the organization.

• Billi Brahn, Attorney at Law, Iowa State Bank
• Stephanie Brick Drey, Brick Gentry, P.C.
• Trent Burley, CFP®, RICP®, McGill Junge Wealth Management
• Abby Croll, CPA, Eide Bailly LLP
• Steven C. Despotovich, JD, CLU, ChFC, CFP®, Wilson, Deege, Despotovich, Riemenschneider & Rittgers
• Matthew Gardner, Attorney at Law, Gardner Law Firm, P.C.
• Jason Gunkel, CFP, CFA, CAP, Syverson Strege
• Adam B. Obrecht, CFP®, AO Wealth Advisory
• TJ Reed, Tarbell & Co., P.L.C
• Megan Rosenstiel, CFP®, CDFA™, AWMA®, ADPA®, LTCP, Gilbert & Cook
• Ashley E. Shafer, Financial Advisor, CFP®, CAP®, The 801 Group at Morgan Stanley
• Scott Simpson, Attorney at Law, Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fischer & Bouslog, P.C.
• Kelsey Sjoblom, Attorney at Law, Duncan Green Law
• Katheryn Thorson, Attorney at Law, BrownWinick
• Caleb Tilstra, Vice President, Senior Trust Officer, Bankers Trust
• Ashlee Vieregger, JD, CFP®, CTFA, Foster Group