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MEET OUR TEAM

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Emily Westergaard

CEO

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Heather Isaacson

Director of Programs

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Amanda Shetler

Director of Development

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Laila Williams

Growth & Development Manager

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Carol Sames

Office Manager

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Sam Early

Operations Manager

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Alyssa Zimmerman

Findley Elementary Program Manager

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Jake Sund

Harding Middle Program Manager

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Kahara Hunafa-Addo

North High Program Manager

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Billy Kirby

North High Program Manager

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Cari Long

529 Program Specialist

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OUR BOARD

Annie Brandt - Chair

Bank of America

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Mondale Smith - Vice Chair

AgriSompo International​

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Derrick Prine - Treasurer

Deere and Company​​

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Justin Greenwood

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines​

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Rod Johnson

BLK & Bold​

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Tessie Johnson

PricewaterhouseCoopers​​

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Joan Middleton

Community Volunteer

​​​Matt Moore

Sammons Financial Group

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Megan Mortier

The Waldinger Corporation

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Mary Katherine Nelson

Nyemaster Goode

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Craig Owens

The Harkin Institute​

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Lauren Rasmussen

ITA Group​​​​

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Pierce Zanders

Sammons Financial Group

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Sabrina Zenor

Summit Carbon Solutions

BY DEGREES FOUNDATION

PO Box 41070

Des Moines, IA 50311

515-650-8230 • info@bydegreesfoundation.org

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By Degrees Foundation has earned Candid’s 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency—the highest level of recognition offered by Candid, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. This designation is awarded only to nonprofits that demonstrate exceptional transparency through comprehensive public disclosures, accuracy, and frequent updates.

© 2026 by By Degrees Foundation

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