.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} Marybeth Foster, the first-ever executive director of the Iowa Credit Union Foundation, has brought her journalism, public administration and nonprofit management background to help Iowans build wealth, responsibility and independence.

What are your main responsibilities as executive director?

I am the first full-time executive director that the foundation has had, so the first couple months have been dealing with the housekeeping items for the foundation. Another big piece of my job so far (has been) working on the implementation plan for (Credit Union Family Partnership Project),where saving accounts for persons that meet certain criteria are matched. Every dollar the participant saves, they are matched at some level through the program, and they can use that to purchase a specific asset.

What are your main objectives?

The foundation’s objective is to eliminate poverty in the state of Iowa. Its mission is to help Iowans build wealth, responsibility and independence. We promote that by supporting financial education initiatives, which with this program includes making sure individuals…have a relationship with a financial institution, and any initiatives that would lead toward poverty alleviation.

How did you come to be in this position?

Prior to coming here, I was the director of development and marketing for ISED (Iowans for Social and Economic Development), which also has a program where they work with banks. ISED is also a poverty-alleviation organization, so it was a natural fit to come from that to this. And I have done nonprofit management for a long time now. This was a good opportunity to come in and help grow this foundation. The foundation itself has been around since 1995 giving grants or scholarships … now we have an opportunity to grow the foundation in a new direction.

How did you get into nonprofit management?

My first career was in journalism. Then I went to graduate school to get my master’s in public administration. I (became) involved in economic development. I took a job in Northeast Iowa managing a county economic development organization that was a nonprofit. Though I did not end up working directly in government, nonprofits often partner with different levels of government, and nonprofits are there to fulfill needs that are not being met by the private sector or by government. It also fits with my personal philosophy.

How many people are helped a year through this program?

This is a new program, a pilot program, so our intention is to assist about 190 families in three years. We would like to grow the program and see it offered statewide through as many credit unions as are willing to participate.

Where did you earn your master’s degree?

My master’s degree is from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, and my bachelor’s is in journalism from Iowa State University.

How did you make your first dollar?

I used to mow lawns in the neighborhood I grew up in and in my grandma’s neighborhood. It was just a summer job because I was not as into shoveling snow.

Where would people find you on the weekends?

I am a huge Iowa State fan. This time of year people would probably find me doing some volunteer tax preparation. I enjoy cooking and spending time with my dog, Bailey (a male Australian shepherd that I rescued from a shelter), and I am active in my church.