Kristi provides the vision and leadership for shaping the Community Foundation's role as a civic leader, grantmaker, philanthropic partner and charitable giving vehicle. She identifies and addresses issues key to the quality of life in the community and oversees the Community Foundation's daily operations. Kristi is an Iowa native and graduate of Iowa State University. She received her Masters of Public Administration and Certificate of Business Management from Drake University. Kristi is also a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I LOVE to have a nice dinner downtown and then roam the streets exploring ALL of the wonderful things happening in DSM. I can't possibly pick one! Des Moines: the S's are silent, our city is booming!

Brianne (she/her) leads the Community Foundation’s partnership with the statewide network of affiliate community foundations. She works to create and implement strategies that ensure philanthropic objectives of donors within the affiliate network are met, their knowledge of their community is broadened and their relationship with their community foundation affiliate is strong. She provides proactive coaching, training and responsive service to best meet the affiliates’ individualized needs.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

My favorite part of this community is that if you truly care about something, there are welcome arms waiting to embrace you and allow you to make a difference.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

Makaila is responsible for providing support to prospective and current fund holders related to their charitable giving. She is an integral part of the Charitable Giving Team and Affiliate Team's customer service including facilitating grantmaking.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I am new to Des Moines following my graduation from Grinnell College, located just an hour east of the metro area. So far, I have enjoyed checking out local businesses and taking walks around town.

Barb provides administrative support to the Community Foundation marketing and affiliate teams and committees. She coordinates Community Foundation events and supports the administrative activities of the Community Foundation.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I love riding my bike around Easter Lake and renting a paddleboard on a warm Sunday afternoon. 

Lynne leads the Charitable Giving team to accomplish the strategic goals of the Community Foundation. She facilitates legacy and complex charitable gifts, establishes new charitable funds and works closely with professional advisors. She is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®), a designation which provides expertise to guide charitable individuals and organizations in strategic philanthropic planning. Lynne is also a 21/64 certified advisor, specializing in facilitating conversations with individuals and multigenerational families, so donors can give and connect more effectively in their charitable giving. Lynne helps donors access Endow Iowa Tax Credits and leads the Keep Iowa Growing program.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I love that Des Moines has a small-town friendly vibe combined with big city features. Personally, riding the bike trails, exploring our state parks or checking out the newest brewery/restaurant are some of my favorite things to do.

Michael is responsible for managing a portfolio of current and prospective fund holders associated with our Charitable Investment Partner Program. He also works alongside professional advisors such as financial, tax and estate planners.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I just moved to Iowa recently! So far, my favorite part has been how welcoming and helpful everyone has been. “Iowa nice” is definitely alive and well here.

Peyton (she/her) is responsible for providing project management for the Charitable Giving Team to support prospective donors, current fund holders and professional advisors related to charitable giving. She is an integral part of the donor experience, including coordination of donor events and communications. Peyton leads our engagement with Seed Fund holders as well as supports a portfolio of nonprofit funds. 

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

Makaila is responsible for providing support to prospective and current fund holders related to their charitable giving. She is an integral part of the Charitable Giving Team and Affiliate Team's customer service including facilitating grantmaking.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I am new to Des Moines following my graduation from Grinnell College, located just an hour east of the metro area. So far, I have enjoyed checking out local businesses and taking walks around town.

Angie (she/her) leads, manages and evaluates the Community Foundation's grantmaking initiatives and nonprofit capacity building program. She also works on community leadership and social capital building initiatives of the Community Foundation. To enhance her work in the nonprofit sector, Angie obtained a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Education from BoardSource.  Angie received her MA in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development at the University of Northern Iowa.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I like to hit the bike trail and head over to Water Works Park to see an outdoor concert or show! Being able to connect to the loop around Gray's Lake (and a stop for a quick beverage) makes for a GREAT afternoon in Greater Des Moines.

Ellie (she/her) serves as the key staff member to connect nonprofits to valuable resources within the Community Foundation as well as other community resources.  She creates opportunities for connection and learning among nonprofit leaders through training programs and works closely with nonprofit board and staff members, grantmaker colleagues and community partners to support the overall health and wellbeing of the nonprofit sector in Greater Des Moines.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I love to go for runs or walks around Gray's Lake in the morning and then grab a coffee and treat from one of my favorite coffee shops!

 Dannie (she/her) provides primary staffing support as well as representation of the Community Foundation in various community conversations working closely with nonprofit leaders, grantmaker colleagues and community partners to advance regional goals and implement effective solutions for Greater Des Moines. In addition, she manages the Impact Investing Program, as well as Leadership and Strategic Alignment grantmaking programs, while elevating priorities of the Community Foundation to organizations seeking to make a significant impact in the region.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

My favorite part of the community is that while Des Moines may be smaller than some larger cities in the Midwest there is truly opportunity to make change happen. 

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

Karla is responsible for the planning, implementation, direction and oversight of the Community Foundation's financial and administrative functions and systems. She provides organizational leadership through setting strategy, preparing financial analysis, budgets and projections, advising on long-term business and financial planning, providing oversight of fund administration and fostering relationships with external partners.  Karla is responsible for risk management for the organization in addition to human resources, information technology and facility management. 

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I love the size of greater Des Moines and that we have so many great attractions, organizations, and amenities that are all within a short drive from anywhere around the city. I enjoy walking around downtown, trying new restaurants and taking pictures with all the different murals.

Kris (she/her) leads the financial operations and fund administration of the Community Foundation and is responsible for maintaining, monitoring and reporting financial, accounting and investment information. Kris provides oversight to the Nonprofit Accounting Service (NAS) program and finance department staff to achieve the strategic goals of the Community Foundation. To enhance her work in the nonprofit sector, Kris obtained a Certificate of Nonprofit Accounting through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I love hitting one of the many bike paths and finishing up the ride with a visit to a local brewery.

Shanna (she/her) manages and provides professional-level support to the Community Foundation and Nonprofit Accounting Services (NAS) program and clients. Shanna is responsible for maintaining, monitoring and reporting financial and accounting information for NAS clients and provides supervision to NAS staff members to achieve the strategic goals of the Community Foundation.  

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

One of my favorite things about Greater Des Moines is the variety of restaurants and shops in the area. I love supporting local businesses and there is such a variety of locally owned restaurants and shops in the downtown area that I could never get bored!

Elizabeth (she/her) manages the accounting, cash flow and valuation of investment activity and information. Elizabeth provides professional-level support to the Community Foundation and Charitable Investment Partner Program. Elizabeth assists with financial and accounting operations for the Community Foundation and is responsible for maintaining, monitoring and reporting financial and accounting information. 

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

One of my favorite things to do in Des Moines is spend the day biking with family and friends. There are so many great trails with fun restaurants and breweries popping up alongside them. It makes for the perfect summer/fall day!

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

My favorite part of this community is seeing how fast it is growing and exploring new things as they come!

Dawn supports the accounting and financial operations of the Community Foundation. She assists with the day-to-day financial and accounting operations of the Community Foundation including accounts/grants payable and reporting.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I moved back from Dallas, Texas almost two years ago and I’m loving it! The best part is the friendly people and how safe it feels.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

Emily (she/her) is responsible for communicating the story and mission of the Community Foundation across channels and audiences. In addition to coordinating outreach and communications for a variety of Community Foundation events and initiatives, Emily manages external relationships with media and community partners.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines? 

The people are what make the community. Their authenticity, kindness and caring spirit are what make living in Greater Des Moines second-to-none. I am truly grateful for the passion, dedication, and willingness to make our home a continuously better place to live, work and play. 

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I love the variety of events and activities in Greater Des Moines. On any given day you can experience a festival, take in a baseball game, explore a park, watch the latest Broadway hit, and more. There's something for everyone!

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

Barb provides administrative support to the Community Foundation marketing and affiliate teams and committees.  She coordinates Community Foundation events and supports the administrative activities of the Community Foundation.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I love riding my bike around Easter Lake and renting a paddleboard on a warm Sunday afternoon. 

Karla is responsible for the planning, implementation, direction and oversight of the Community Foundation's financial and administrative functions and systems. She provides organizational leadership through setting strategy, preparing financial analysis, budgets and projections, advising on long-term business and financial planning, providing oversight of fund administration and fostering relationships with external partners.  Karla is responsible for risk management for the organization in addition to human resources, information technology and facility management. 

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I love the size of greater Des Moines and that we have so many great attractions, organizations, and amenities that are all within a short drive from anywhere around the city. I enjoy walking around downtown, trying new restaurants and taking pictures with all the different murals.

Kristine combines administrative, operational and organizational responsibilities to enhance efficiency, consistency,and proactive administrative management. She oversees administrative staff, manages vendor relationships and coordination of campus projects and supports office administration.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

Discovering new places to eat and shop that are unique to this area.

Mark (he/him) provides high level, professional support to Community Foundation donors, fund holders and staff. He is responsible for the ongoing integrity, consistency and coordination of data, financial information, and technology systems.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

I love all of the music venues, trails, restaurants and breweries. My favorite thing about Des Moines is the vibrant downtown with all of the great things to do and see.

Barb provides administrative support to the Community Foundation marketing and affiliate teams and committees.  She coordinates Community Foundation events and supports the administrative activities of the Community Foundation.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines?

I love riding my bike around Easter Lake and renting a paddleboard on a warm Sunday afternoon. 

Jenny provides administrative support to the Community Foundation community impact and charitable giving teams and committees as well as general operations of the Community Foundation.

What is one of your favorite things about Greater Des Moines?

Jeorgina welcomes guests to the Finkbine and provides administrative support for Community Foundation staff.  She also assists with facility operations and special projects.

What is one of your favorite things to do in Greater Des Moines? 

My favorite part of Des Moines is the summer events downtown the farmers market mainly and walking around the sculpture park.

Johni specializes in charitable estate planning, bequests, charitable gift annuities and nonprofit law at Thompson & Associates.

Wayne is a shareholder at Belin McCormick, P.C. and his practice emphasizes taxation, tax controversy, trusts and estates, nonprofit organizations and charitable giving and corporate law.