The Iowa Women’s Foundation has named Deann Cook as its next president and CEO. The transition will take effect Jan. 1, 2023, following the retirement of Dawn Oliver Wiand.

Cook has served as the president and CEO of United Ways of Iowa since 2013. Throughout her tenure, she worked to advocate for policy priorities in education, financial stability and health. She also managed statewide projects including the ALICE report and Iowa Reading Corps.

In her new role at the Iowa Women’s Foundation, Cook will lead operations, manage its staff and board of directors, and help further its mission to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls.

“This role allows me to move from educating Iowans about barriers to shattering them in collaboration with the IWF board, staff, and donors who are passionate about this work,” Cook said in a news release.

Under Oliver Wiand’s nine-year tenure as president and CEO, the foundation went from awarding $13,250 in grants in 2012 to awarding $370,000 in 2022. She also helped establish the $3 million Legacy Fund campaign.

“Deann is a fierce advocate in our fight against barriers,” said Oliver-Wiand in a news release. “I am so excited to see how her passion and expertise shape the future of IWF and its mission to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. I can’t imagine better hands to leave it in.”

The Iowa Women’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of Iowa’s women and girls through research, grant-making, advocacy, education, and collaboration.