Hubbell, Nicole
Nicole’s initial involvement with IWF was through the Grants Committee, where she has helped review grant applications for many years. Nicole earned a BA from the University of Virginia and spent a few years working in the Washington D.C. Metro area before relocating to Cedar Rapids in 1999. She obtained her MBA in Marketing from […]
Horak, Shelley
Shelley was introduced to IWF by Former President & CEO Dawn Oliver Wiand while working on a project with the Harkin Institute and has been a fan ever since. Shelley grew up in Dallas Center, IA, earning her BS from the University of Iowa. She went on to obtain her MPH from Des Moines University […]
Sax, Lydia
Lydia first learned about IWF’s mission through former Board President Jen Neumann, and her interest was instantaneous. She has served on the Grants Committee since 2021. Lydia grew up in Cedar Rapids before earning a BA in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa. Today she works as the Director of Operations at de Novo […]
Ritter, Tisha
Tisha Ritter brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to social justice to her role as the Director of Development at IWF. In addition to holding a B.S.Ed. in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas and an M.S.Ed. in College Student Development from Azusa Pacific University, she spent 10 years in higher […]
Thompson, Candace
Candace Thompson moved to Iowa city as an infant and has always called Iowa home. She attended Johnson County Community School District K-12 and received her high school diploma from Iowa City High School, graduating class of 2008. She began her career in HR Management in 2018 and, shortly after, became a small business owner, […]
Riem, Andi
A Cedar Rapids native, Andi received her BA in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a JD from University of St. Thomas School of Law where she graduated magna cum laude. She shifted careers in 2018, and joined New Leader Manufacturing, where she is currently the Executive Director of Shared Services. Andi has […]
Cook, Deann
Deann joined the Foundation as the new President and CEO at the beginning of 2023. Previously, she had served as the President and CEO of United Ways of Iowa since 2013, and has worked in the nonprofit sector in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines for over 20 years. Deanna grew up on the family farm […]
Rickert, Hannah
Hannah grew up in Des Moines and attended the University of Iowa. She earned a BA in Psychology with a concentration in Gender, Women’s, & Sexuality Studies and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership & Philanthropy—making IWF the perfect place for Hannah to complete an internship. Within three months, the Foundation welcomed Hannah full-time. Hannah is […]
Penney, Sheri
A proud Iowa native, Sheri was raised in Williamsburg and currently resides in Osage. She earned a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa and most recently served as the Economic Development Director for Mitchell County—where she was working to increase access to quality affordable childcare. Sheri is a former stay-at-home mother of […]
Wiand, Dawn Oliver
Dawn joined IWF as President & CEO in February 2013, leading the Foundation through a decade of tremendous growth in grantmaking, reach, and overall impact. Dawn retired in 2022, but her involvement in the cause did not, and she continues to be a champion for women and girls through advocacy and giving back. Dawn holds […]
