Age 38 | president and CEO, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation

Fund raising has always been a part of Suzanne Mineck’s professional life, and her skills in that area have benefited several nonprofit organizations.

As the senior director of planned giving for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., from 2002 to 2005, she met an annual giving goal of $100 million. Prior to being hired as the president and CEO of Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Mineck worked as a senior consultant with The Stelter Co. in Urbandale, advising health-care philanthropic organizations throughout the United States. A graduate of Luther College, Mineck has also served in fund-raising roles with the American Cancer Society in Iowa City, the University of Iowa Foundation and the University of Memphis.

Mineck joined Mid-Iowa Health Foundation in December 2010. The foundation has provided more than $16 million in funding support for nonprofit organizations in Greater Des Moines since it was founded in 1984, and recently established children’s health initiatives and organizations as a priority area for funding.

In addition to providing guidance to Mid-Iowa Health Foundation’s board as it developed a new strategic plan, “Suzanne has quickly become a sought-after adviser to other local funders and partners involved in improving the health of our region,” wrote Nolden Gentry, the foundation’s board chairman.

Mineck and her husband, Corey, have two daughters: Mari, 7, and Bryn, 4. They enjoy traveling; of a dozen countries she has visited, her favorite is Tanzania.

Mineck said she’s inspired daily about the difference that individuals can make.

“That motivates me about what can be accomplished and the lives that can be changed when a group of people come around one goal,” she said.

Five reasons she’s a 40:

• Serves on the leadership council and several committees of the Healthy Polk 2020 initiative.

• Thought leader as a member of the Capital Crossroads Urban Core Committee.

• Serves on the children and family ministry board of Faith Lutheran Church.

• Member of Luther College president’s advisory council.

• Has served as a speaker and trainer for the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines’ nonprofit capacity building programs.

Fun Fact:

When Mineck was in third grade, her parents let her travel for a month with another family to Mexico, sparking a lifelong love for travel.