UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA BLOG

United Way of Central Iowa Board of Directors is pleased to announce the addition of ten new members, who began their two-year term on July 1, 2024. This significant expansion reflects United Way’s commitment to bolstering community impact and advancing its mission through strengthened governance and diverse viewpoints.

Among the new appointees are Monica Friedman, who will serve as Chair-Elect, and Kevin Zaugg, who will join the Finance Audit Committee, each bringing unique experiences and leadership to their roles.

Monica Friedman, Executive Vice President/Chief Human Recources Officer, LCS, steps into the role of Chair-Elect with a rich history of involvement with United Way of Central Iowa. Previously serving on the Board and Executive Committee, Monica chaired the Volunteer Cabinet, driving critical initiatives that have fortified community volunteer efforts. Her long-standing commitment and active participation in United Way programs make her an ideal successor to Maria Volante, our current Board Chair. Monica's extensive experience and unwavering dedication will provide invaluable guidance as she prepares to assume the role of Board Chair.

Kevin Zaugg, Managing Partner, EY, is a highly respected finance professional, will join the Board and the Finance Audit Committee, reinforcing United Way’s commitment to financial integrity and strategic oversight. Kevin’s addition to the Finance Audit Committee underscores United Way's dedication to maintaining transparency and accountability in its financial practices. His expertise will be crucial in guiding the organization’s financial strategies and ensuring the effective stewardship of resources.

“We are delighted to welcome this diverse and talented group of leaders to United Way’s Board of Directors. Their collective expertise and dedication to our community will be instrumental in advancing the organization’s UNITED to THRIVE strategic imperative,” said Maria Volante, President, Volante Consulting and Chair of the Board for United Way of Central Iowa.

In addition, the following individuals have been appointed to United Way of Central Iowa’s Board of Directors – serving as volunteer leaders and providing governance and counsel on decisions directly impacting the work being done to address our community’s most pressing needs within in the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community:

United Way of Central Iowa has appointed Anne-Lyse Badou-James as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 

Anne-Lyse will join the organization’s senior leadership team on July 29, 2024.In this role, Anne-Lyse will guide the organization’s strategic direction, oversee finance and technology, and enhance community impact through innovative approaches aligned to United Way of Central Iowa’s UNITED to THRIVE strategic imperative.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anne-Lyse to our team,” said Mary Sellers, President of United Way of Central Iowa. “Her dynamic leadership, combined with her expertise in finance and technology, will be pivotal as we continue uniting all sectors of central Iowa to foster a thriving community through our strategic focus on the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community. Anne-Lyse’s innovative vision thoroughly aligns with our commitment to engaging and empowering the community.”

Anne-Lyse has extensive experience leading core finance and supply chain functions, delivering significant revenue growth, and enhancing operational efficiency through data analytics and technological optimization. Known for her commitment to financial rigor and accountability, she excels in resource optimization, process improvements, and strategic financial planning. Her global mindset, international experience and passion for education have been instrumental in her professional success.

Prior to Anne-Lyse joining the United Way of Central Iowa team, she served as the Head of Finance at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) in St. Kitts. In this role, she managed a $100 million revenue segment, ensuring robust financial stewardship and partnering with other leaders on shaping the institution’s strategic direction. During her tenure, she guided RUSVM through four years of financial outperformance, spearheaded initiatives to diversify the student body, expanded the university’s global footprint, enhanced forecasting accuracy, and developed advanced predictive analytics frameworks to support growth.

Additionally, Anne-Lyse directed the Revenue Analysis & Planning group at Intelsat S.A., where she led a team responsible for synthesizing data from a $2.1 billion revenue portfolio into actionable strategic insights, significantly enhancing decision-making processes. Her diverse experience also encompasses key finance roles in the banking and nuclear energy sectors.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with such an incredible team,” said Anne-Lyse. “United Way of Central Iowa’s dedication to building a more empowered and thriving community by advancing equity, education, financial stability, and overall health and well-being is inspiring. I am eager to lead United Way’s financial management efforts to further support and enhance its impactful programs, and I look forward to the exciting journey ahead.”

Anne-Lyse holds a Master of Science in Accounting and Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science in General Business with a focus on International Business from the University of Maryland. She has completed the Adtalem Global Education Key Talent Development Program and holds executive certificates in Leadership from NYU’s Stern School of Business and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Anne-Lyse joins United Way of Central Iowa after a rigorous national search conducted in partnership with Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company. Koya exclusively focuses on recruiting senior leaders to mission-driven organizations nationally.

Employees from 35 central Iowa organizations, along with many individual contributors from the community, donated more than 30,000 children’s books to United Way of Central Iowa’s Stuff the Bus book drive. The results were announced at the annual community-wide book collection at Athene in West Des Moines on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Every book donated will be distributed to more than 100 childcare or child-serving programs in Dallas, Polk and Warren Counties.

At this year's LIVE UNITED celebration luncheon, United Way of Central Iowa unveiled its 2024 Community Report and recognized five organizations and three individuals with its annual LIVE UNITED Awards. Athene was awarded the 2024 Spirit of Central Iowa Award for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall. 

During the event, the organization’s president, Mary Sellers, called attention to the critical issues our community is currently experiencing, and reminded attendees of how, in partnership with many in the community, United Way is navigating these issues.

"We focus on the Five Elements of a Thriving Community with equity at the core, recognizing the interconnectedness of each piece, much like a puzzle,” said Sellers. “Addressing critical community issues requires a holistic approach as they impact every aspect of peoples’ lives. By providing access to quality, affordable childcare, we give working parents the opportunity to remain in the workforce, leading to better access to healthcare, housing, and improved educational outcomes for their children. Together, in a UNITED WAY, we achieve real, lasting impact across central Iowa."

Today, United Way of Central Iowa and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines convened donors, volunteers, advocates, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, elected officials and people with lived experience to learn more about food insecurity issues that are directly impacting our community and the collaborative approach our community is taking to address them.

United Way of Central Iowa released its 2024 Advocacy Agenda at their Advocacy Update Breakfast held on Thursday, December 14 for policy makers, government officials, and members of the community.

The Advocacy Update featured presentations on key, statewide issues impacting United Way’s 5 Elements of a Thriving Community – specifically childcare workforce; safe, healthy, and affordable housing; and food security. 

Childcare Workforce
United Way of Central Iowa Advocacy Officer Dave Stone facilitated a panel discussion focusing on the challenges impacting central Iowa’s childcare workforce. United Way advocates for efforts to build innovative programs and investments to address childcare workforce shortages and support quality, affordable childcare for all.

“Instability in the childcare workforce remains a key barrier to ensuring that we have availability of quality, affordable childcare,” said Stone. “We are working to amplify solutions such as providing state income tax exemptions for childcare providers, extending pilot programs to allow providers access to the state’s Child Care Assistance (CCA) program, and examining property tax valuations for childcare centers to reduce overhead.”

Safe, Healthy, and Affordable Housing
United Way of Central Iowa, through its OpportUNITY Housing Workgroup, supports efforts to address housing barriers and reduce cost-related burdens for families seeking homeownership.

“We are meeting with city council members in our region to promote methods that allow housing in their community to be more attainable for those who live there,” said Joe Murphy, Iowa Business Council and Chair of United Way’s Public Policy Cabinet. “As was shared in United Way’s Community Report, nearly 8,000 central Iowa households are behind in rent. This incredible cost is impacting people we know and encounter every day: grocery store clerks, ambulance drivers, direct healthcare workers, childcare providers, and the families they’re working to support.”     

Food Security
United Way of Central Iowa advocates for and supports direct appropriations for the overall food security system and the Double Up Food Bucks program from the Healthiest State Initiative, which allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants better access to healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables.

“Healthy, nutritious foods are expensive for a family supported by SNAP,” said Stone. “The Double Up Food Bucks program helps match participants’ purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables with privately funded support, allowing SNAP participants to ‘double up’ their purchases of nutritious options. We consider this solution a win for all involved – families are allowed to stretch food dollars on healthy food items, our economy will benefit from Double Up Food Bucks only being spent in Iowa-owned grocery stores and markets, and Iowa produce farmers will receive direct benefits from an increase in demand and new customers.”

United Way of Central Iowa’s 2024 Advocacy Agenda
United Way of Central Iowa’s Advocacy Agenda is informed by community partners working collectively to address critical community issues and is ultimately set by the organization’s Public Policy Cabinet – comprised of business and community leaders who volunteer to identify and advocate for policy solutions to the priority issues listed in the agenda. 

“At United Way, we know one of the most significant ways we can improve lives in our community is by advocating for change and policies that positively impact every central Iowan’s opportunity to thrive,” said Mary Sellers, President of United Way of Central Iowa. “From getting involved at the local level, to working directly with state and federal policymakers to make an impact, we are proud to support, and often take the lead on systems-level change that has made attaining success and thriving in our community a possibility for so many.”

Visit unitedwaydm.org/advocate to find the full 2024 Advocacy Agenda, learn more about the organization’s advocacy efforts, and sign up to receive its Advocacy Newsletter sent during the legislative session.

United Way of Central Iowa’s holiday wish: To share more about the tale of two holidays for the kids who live here. One where the season is full of joy and excitement – with fun traditions of playing games, eating warm healthy meals, unwrapping special gifts, and being surrounded by a loving family who read books with them. The other where sitting by a warm fire in a safe home with parents who are able to buy toys and books is only a dream.

United Way of Central Iowa announced on Wednesday, October 4 that Jim Brannen and Maria Volante were selected as this year’s co-recipients of the prestigious Tocqueville Society Award.

On September 12, over 500 dedicated volunteers offered their time and talents to contribute to 20 different organizations, successfully completing nearly 60 impactful projects throughout the community.

The members of Education Leadership Initiative (ELI), a United Way of Central Iowa donor affinity group focused on Education Success efforts, understand the immense value of central Iowa students having smooth transition from middle to high school so they can stay on a path to graduation and gain essential buildings block for a better life.