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What’s your career background?

My professional career started at Mainstream Living Inc., (a social services agency) which is based out of Ames. I was working in Des Moines as a job developer and at that time going to graduate school (at Drake University) when I was approached to go up to Mary Greeley Medical Center to run the volunteer program and annual gift program. I was there just under three years. That was kind of my first entry into the health-care fund-raising world, and it was a wonderful experience.

How did this opportunity come about?

I had worked previously with Bob Ravenscroft, president of Mercy Foundation, who was up at Mary Greeley for a while. It was an exciting opportunity and the right time to get back to Des Moines for me. I didn’t totally realize until I got here how much this is a family. It’s a great feeling to come to work; it’s a really positive place.

What programs will you work with?

I do special events; I work with our Angels of Mercy program, which is a fabulous way for donors to honor excellence in care by honoring a physician or staff member for excellent care by making a donation. And I work with our business sponsorships and with all of our community members. In some ways, I did a lot of those things (at Mary Greeley); it’s just a little more focused here on the direct fund-raising efforts, and in a larger organization, of course.

What’s your role on the foundation’s staff?

We have a team of 12; my role is to work with event-based fund raising, primarily. Event-based fund raising is a wonderful tool because we get to work with our business constituents, we get to work with our volunteers and our board members, we get to work with vendors, who also often provide donations and help further the mission. That is a great way to increase awareness and raise funds, and to help identify folks who are interested in larger projects with us.

Are there particular key fund-raising events coming up?

Coming up in September is our Art of Life event for Mercy Hospice. We’re really excited; we’re working with Moberg Gallery and have secured a local artist, Chris Vance, to help procure different items. Helping Lives Bloom is our largest event for House of Mercy, and that’s coming up next June. And then the Mercy/Babe Golf Tournament and the Bishop Drumm Golf Tournament are our largest focuses right now. However, we can always add events as needed in whatever kind of campaign makes sense.

Will you be moving from Ames for this job?

Absolutely. I did not intend to move so quickly back to Des Moines, but of course it was just a great opportunity. The house is on the market in Ames, and I’m looking to hopefully get back before winter. And I’m looking to become more engaged in the community again.

Are there particular organizations you plan to volunteer for?

I am involved with the Junior League (of Des Moines); I’ve been a member since January of this year. One of their current goals is working on childhood obesity, and that’s a specific interest of mine in health care. I just joined again the Young Professionals Connection. I was the former president of the Young Professionals of Ames, so I’m excited to be again in that world. And I’ve accepted an appointment to serve on the board of directors of my former employer, Mainstream Living (beginning in October). Only time will tell the other areas that I’ll get involved with in Des Moines.

What do you do in your spare time?

Right now, it’s been staging a home and house hunting. I am engaged to be married next June, so I’m planning another event next June. Those are definitely top of mind. And just getting home to Mason City is really important to me. I spend most weekends there, and sailing on Clear Lake. My father has a Chrysler cruiser, and that’s where we spend most weekends.