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.

United Way of Central Iowa has appointed Rubén Vázquez as the organization’s first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer.

United Way of Central Iowa has been awarded nearly $1.8 million as one of 32 Good Jobs Challenge grantees, part of a $500 million investment nationwide.

We are so excited to announce the formal launch of our search for a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, a new position on United Way of Central Iowa's Senior Leadership Team. Koya Partners, the executive search firm that exclusively focuses on mission-driven clients, will be conducting the search. Koya has assumed a leadership role with diversity and equity through its placements at the CEO and senior executive levels, as well as in building diversity and equity internally. 

Our organization is honored to be recognized with this award alongside our friends and partners

Sean Vicente, managing partner of KPMG’s Des Moines office, was selected as this year’s recipient of United Way of Central Iowa’s prestigious Tocqueville Society Award. Past awardees select an individual or couple who exemplify inspirational, sustained leadership and service to the central Iowa community to receive this award, one of United Way’s highest honors.

Sean was presented with the award at the annual Tocqueville Society Celebration, sponsored by Ryan Companies, held on October 7. In addition to this recognition, the event celebrates the more than 765 central Iowa Tocqueville Society members comprising this premier philanthropic leadership group, who annually invest $10,000 or more in the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community through United Way of Central.

Photos from the Tocqueville Society Celebration can be found here.

“For me, being a part of United Way of Central Iowa is about giving back to impact our entire community, and I’m so proud of the work we have collectively been able to deliver through this organization,” said Sean. “Receiving this honor as the 2021 Tocqueville Society Award recipient is a humbling experience, and I am truly grateful to family, friends, and my peers involved in this work who make it such an enjoyable and important part of my life.”

Sean has contributed to United Way of Central Iowa at the Tocqueville Society membership level since 2003 and has been a loyal donor since 1993. He has been actively engaged with the organization, advocating for education and engagement in our community, as well as volunteering on a variety of committees and cabinets. Most recently, Vicente has made a long-term commitment as United Way of Central Iowa’s Board Chair through 2023. His leadership and contributions have led to measurable positive financial results – including increasing membership and raising $1 million over goal during his tenure as Tocqueville Society Campaign Co-Chair in 2017.

United Way of Central Iowa is fortunate to have Sean as an extension of our team. He shows his commitment to our community through the numerous leadership positions he’s held within our organization, including Education Leadership Investment Committee from 2009-2012, Finance and Audit Chair from 2013-2016, and a six-time member of our Campaign Cabinet. The results we’ve seen under his guidance are incredible and the scope of the impact he’s created is inspiring.

In addition to his duties at KPMG, Sean enjoys participating in many community, civic and professional activities outside of United Way with his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Michael and Sydney. He is past President of the Board of Bravo Greater Des Moines and currently serves as a board member at Junior Achievement of Central Iowa and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. 

Athene, a leading provider of retirement savings products, donated 375 laptops and 50 desktops to United Way of Central Iowa and its partner agencies.

Our 2017 LIVE UNITED Celebration drew a record crowd to Prairie Meadows to recognize our community's collective achievements to improve the health, education, and financial stability of all central Iowans. Here are the highlights shared at the event. 

For the past 100 years, United Way of Central Iowa has taken on challenges big and small—from convening the community to tackle tough issues like poverty and getting kids ready for school success to partnering with thousands of people who donate each year to a campaign that makes the work of improving our community possible.