The Board of Directors carry out the CFUM mission, focusing on strategy, setting goals and objectives, managing risks; as well as adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies.
Jason Adams
Nationwide Board Chair Executive CommitteeBiography
Jason grew up in the Des Moines area and has lived here since 2000 when he joined Nationwide Insurance. He has been on the CFUM Board for 7 years, and has been the Board Chair for 2023 – 2024. Jason and his wife Annette live in Ankeny with their son Jacob (18) and daughter Gracyn (15).
Fun Fact
Having two active children, Jason has coached 9 different sports over the years.
My WHY!
Nationwide has been a long time supporter of CFUM, and I first got introduced to CFUM through the United Way ELI group. I have a passion for kids and education, so serving on the CFUM board gave me a good opportunity for our family to get involved in giving back to the community.
Heather Coulter
Bankers Trust Board Secretary Executive Committee, Finance Committee ChairBiography
Heather Coulter has served on the CFUM Board and Financial Committee since 2022. With a background in finance and risk management, she has worked at Bankers Trust since 2015, where she currently leads a team of Risk and Financial Intelligence professionals.
Fun Fact
I was a member of the University of Iowa Gymnastics team, GO HAWKS!
My WHY!
I chose to serve on the CFUM Board as it allows me to combine my education with my passions for the community, education, and children.
Sunnie Richer
Retired Executive Committee, Development Committee Co-ChairBiography
Sunnie Richer worked at IBM and was the owner of two software companies specializing in systems to support sales and customer service functions in more than a hundred companies. Sunnie has been active in the Des Moines Community, including United Way, The Community Foundation, and Simpson College, as well as CFUM.
Fun Fact
I was born in a Displaced Persons Camp in Memmingen, Germany. My parents and I emigrated from Germany to the US when I was three and I did not speak English until I started first grade. I do not remember that language was a problem!
My WHY!
My first experience at CFUM was reading with two kindergarteners. They are now high school juniors and ready for college! How can I say “no” to CFUM with those results?
Mallory Bennett
Program Committee, Development CommitteeBiography
Mallory Bennett has been a volunteer for CFUM since 2018. She is a social worker and has experience working with individuals in healthcare and connecting people with community resources and services. Mallory also volunteers with Des Moines Refugee Support and is a strong advocate who believes all children should have the same opportunity for education.
Fun Fact
Mallory has pet goats & chickens, but doesn’t live on a farm!
My WHY!
In 2018, Mallory and her husband became foster parents for a child at Moulton Elementary. They saw first hand the importance of CFUM, the safety and security it provided, as well as the many fun and educational activities they had.
Kameron Middlebrooks
REFORM Alliance Program CommitteeBiography
Kam Middlebrooks is a passionate advocate for civil rights and social change, beginning his career as a youth representative on the NAACP National Board of Directors in 2008. After founding Equalizer Management Inc. and supporting small businesses and nonprofits, Kam served as Director of Community Impact for the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. Currently, he serves as Iowa State Organizer for the REFORM Alliance, focusing on reforming probation, parole, and supervised release systems.
Fun Fact
At 24, I became the youngest Regional Field Director of the NAACP, organizing a voter registration campaign that registered over 15,000 people of color across the Midwest and advocating for felons’ voting rights restoration in Iowa.
My WHY!
I chose to serve on the CFUM board because serving and preparing our young people to be the future leaders we need them to be is of vital importance. It is paramount that we give them every opportunity to succeed so they can build strong families and stronger communities!
Catherine Gillespie
Drake University Program CommitteeBiography
Dr. Gillespie has worked in the School of Education at Drake since 1996, where she started as an Assistant Professor teaching Human Development and Early Childhood Education. She was promoted to Associate Dean in 2013. She now serves undergraduate and graduate students earning degrees in education and oversees assessment and accreditation in the School of Education.
Fun Fact
Catherine earned a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, but hasn’t participated in martial arts since the pandemic.
My WHY!
I want the students who are served by CFUM to be well served in all areas including their physical, emotional, and intellectual well being.
Mark Linder
Wells FargoBiography
Mark has been in the financial services industry for over 23, with the last 20 years with Wells Fargo where he is currently the Senior Vice President of Small and Business Banking. He earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and his post-graduate degree from Pacific Coast Banking School at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. Mark has served on the board of CFUM since 2019.
Fun Fact
Mark’s career began in the hospitality industry in Savannah, Georgia, before transitioning to the financial services industry 3 years later.
My WHY!
I am passionate around early childhood development and giving our youth the support they need to succeed in life.
Michael Hauser, RSM US LLP
Board Treasurer
- Executive Committee
- Finance Committee
Heather McDermott, Principal
- Executive Committee
- Programming Committee Chair
Lori Wright, Global Atlantic Financial Group
Jack Bell, Retired
Logan Murray, Dentons Davis Brown Law Firm
- Governance Committee
Nicky Schissel, Retired
Board Vice-Chairperson
- Development Committee