We are here to start something

Kit Curran
CEO

Kit Curran comes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa with over 24 years of management, marketing, sales, promotions, event and project management experience. A Boone native and Iowa State University graduate, Curran built her career working for such Fortune 500 companies as ADP, Kimberly Clark and Lucent Technologies.  Most recently, Curran strengthened her talents in nonprofit management, fundraising, community relations, strategic marketing, and staff, board and volunteer development while serving for six years as the Executive Director of the Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation.

Curran’s passion for culture and the community is evident through her past and current volunteer and professional affiliations. Curran is a graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and continues to serve on the organization’s Curriculum Committee.  She has been very active in the success of Des Moines’ East Village community serving as President of Historic East Village, Inc. for two years.  She is also a long-time volunteer with the Downtown Events Group and has served on the Operation Downtown board and Downtown Beautification committee.  Curran is currently a member of the Iowa Bacon Board and assists in the production of the annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival.

Mike Hemmer
Programs Director

Mike Hemmer was raised on a livestock and grain farm near Norfolk, Nebraska. He has spent the past 30 years employed with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. He started as one of two employees and did direct service case management for the first 10 years. He has been in a supervisory role with the organization for the past several years as the organization has grown.

Mike earned a Bachelors Degree in Counseling from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. He worked in Youth and Shelter short term care for two years prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. He enjoys the process of connecting Littles and Bigs and supporting the development of their relationship. He has learned to embrace the positive things that happen in each match relationship no matter the outcome.

Mike lives in Ankeny and is the father of 4 young adult children. He has previously coached youth basketball & soccer on a recreational and competitive level for several years.

Des Moines Office

Resource Development

Sara Bishop, Resource Development Specialist
Megan Bradke, Membership and Marketing Coordinator
Ashley Kruse, Events Coordinator
Kasey Wellman, Marketing Intern

Lisa Majors.Schissel, Receptionist/Resource Support

Programs Staff

Angela Beaman, School-Based Substance 
                          Abuse Prevention Specialist
Becca Bolton, Match Development Coordinator
Thomas Carter, Recruitment Coordinator
Lisa Green, School-Based Mentoring Coordinator
Doug Hutchinson, Child Enrollment Coordinator
Kate Kramer, School-Based Mentoring Coordinator
Tony Leo, Match Development Coordinator
Erika Pletcher, Programs Intern
Emily Sulich, Match Development Coordinator
Rose Zimmerle, Volunteer Coordinator

Jasper County Office

Rita Baker, Jasper County Director
Desiree Damman, Substance Abuse 
                             Prevention Specialist
Katie Reed, Programs Specialist

Story County Office

Bill Dodd, Story County Director
Johanna Turner, Program Specialist

Rita Baker, Jasper County Director

Rita has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since June 2010 and is responsible for all aspects of the organization in the Jasper County Satellite Office. She has been a Big Sister for five years and is very passionate about this organization and other non-profits. She has two adult sons living in Dallas and West Palm Beach and currently shares her home with two cocker spaniels. She has traveled extensively and loves cooking, reading and quilting.

Angela Beaman, School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

Angela is a 2005 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Psychology and Family Studies. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since September 2011. She was hired under an Iowa Department of Public Health Grant to promote Substance Abuse Prevention/Awareness with 7th grade students and their mentors at the Des Moines Public Charter School. She currently lives in Ankeny with her daughter, Lyla. Together they enjoy playing with their dog, Bo, playing outside, going to the library and going to Target! 

Sara began working at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa in October 2011. Her duties include managing the database, DonorPerfect; completing thank you letters; and updating social media accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2009 where she studied Art and Design; and Journalism and Mass Communication. She lives in Des Moines and likes to explore the cafes and shops in the area.

Becca Bolton, Match Development Coordinator

Becca is a 2011 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa. Becca was a Big Sister throughout college before joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa team in October 2011. She supervises and supports ongoing relationships between volunteers, children and their families. Becca lives in West Des Moines and in her spare time enjoys being outdoors with her two dogs, babysitting her nephew or reading a good book.

Megan Bradke, Membership and Marketing Coordinator

Megan is a 2010 graduate from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa for a little more than a year and is responsible for the organization's marketing – maintaining the website, media, promotional materials, etc. She currently resides in Waukee and enjoys traveling and spending time with her friends and family.

Thomas Carter, Recruitment Coordinator

Thomas Carter is 2008 graduate from Grand View University with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since November 2009. As the Recruitment Coordinator, his job is to help find Bigs and find new ways to make our Bigs feel appreciated for volunteering. He currently resides in Des Moines and likes to play pick up basketball, bowl and spend time with his family and friends. 

Desiree Damman, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

Desiree is a 2011 graduate from Buena Vista University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since September 2011 and is responsible for coordinating the In the kNOw Substance Abuse Prevention program for Jasper County. She currently resides in Newton and enjoys traveling, going to movies, being active in youth organizations, and spending time with family and friends.

Bill Dodd, Story County Director

Bill has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa for four years and is responsible for all aspects of the organization in the Story County Satellite Office and Americorps to name a few. He has spent the majority of his life working with kids and enjoys it immensely. Bill has traveled extensively and enjoys history and Europe.

Lisa Green, School-Based Mentoring Coordinator

Lisa graduated from the University of Iowa with her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies in 1999 and the University of Iowa College of Law with a JD in 2005. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since July 2009 and facilitates the recruitment, matching and match development for School-Based matches in the Des Moines, Urbandale and SE Polk School Districts. She likes to play sand volleyball, travel and spend time attending her kids' various sporting events.

Doug has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since December 2010 and is responsible for the enrollment of our “Littles” to the community-based program. He also coordinates youth outreach and referral efforts with schools, counselors and various community organizations. Originally from the Louisville, KY area, Doug currently resides in Des Moines and enjoys playing tennis, volleyball and spending time with his “Little Brother” Landon.

Kate Kramer, School-Based Mentoring Coordinator

Kate graduated from Loras College in 2002 with a degree in Social Work. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since January 2005. In her position as a Mentoring Coordinator, she does child assessments, volunteer recruitment and enrollment, matching and match development in the Waukee and West Des Moines School Districts. She lives in Madrid with her husband, JJ, her four-month-old son, Roman, and her 12-year-old stepson, Logan. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going on bike rides, reading, baking and spending time outdoors. 

Ashley J. Kruse, Events Coordinator

Ashley is a 2009 graduate from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication and Business Management. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since January 2011 and is primarily responsible for planning and executing BBBSCI’s top three fundraising events (Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Hy-Vee Fishing Derby and Big Shots Golf). Ashley currently resides in Ankeny and when she is not at the office, she enjoys staying active, hanging out with friends and family and playing with her dog, Molly. 

Lisa Majors.Schissel, Receptionist/Resource Support

Lisa has been employed with Big Brothers Big Sisters for three years and loves the mission of the organization. Her responsibilities are very broad as a position of support to the organization. So far Lisa’s favorite responsibility has been the organization of the first annual plant sale fundraiser this spring. Lisa currently resides in Urbandale and loves being active and spending time outside.

Erika Pletcher, Programs Intern

Erika is currently attending Iowa State University and will graduate in May 2012 with a degree in Child, Adult and Family Services.  She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since January 2012 and helps in supporting child and volunteer enrollment.  She currently resides in Ames and enjoys traveling to Colorado to visit family and friends.

Katie Reed, Program Specialist

Katie is a 2008 graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters since October 2011. She not only interviews potential Bigs and Littles and matches them, but she is responsible for the continual contact of the matches each month as she checks on their progress. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, including four nephews and one niece, as well as listening to music and playing the piano.

Emily Sulich, Match Development Coordinator

Emily is a 2005 graduate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan with a degree in Social Work. She has just recently started with Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Iowa in February 2012. As a Match Development Coordinator, she is responsible for helping to maintain and document ongoing friendships between Bigs and Littles. She is also involved with implementing the In the kNOw Program. She currently resides in Des Moines and enjoys reading, travel and skating in her free time.

Johanna Turner, Programs Specialist

Johanna is a graduate of Iowa State University (BA in Political Science – 2008) and Drake University (MPA in Public Policy – 2011). She has been an AmeriCorp volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Story County since September 2011. Johanna lives in Ames and enjoys traveling, sewing, jogging and photography.

Kasey Wellman, Marketing Intern

Kasey is currently a student at Drake University, pursuing a degree in Marketing and Management.  She has been with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa since February 2012 as a marketing intern, assisting with the organization’s marketing and events.  She currently resides in Des Moines and enjoys playing for the Drake Women’s Soccer Team and spending time with friends.

Rose Zimmerle, Volunteer Coordinator

Rose is a 1998 graduate of Iowa State (Go Clones!) with a degree in Sociology. She started with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a Match Development Coordinator and just recently moved into the Volunteer Coordinator position. As the Volunteer Coordinator, she is responsible for interviewing and vetting the applicants who hope to become mentors. It is Rose’s responsibility to then make the matches between the volunteers and the children. She currently resides in Adel with her husband and enjoys reading, playing with her four granddaughters and traveling.