OUR IMPACT REPORT

See the incredible impact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa is making in our community! Dive into our Impact Report covering July 2023 to June 2024 and be inspired by the stories of transformation and success.

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THIS VILLAGE PASSIONATELY CULTIVATES YOUNG LIVES

Board of Directors

The dedicated leaders behind the mission to ignite the power and promise of youth.

Ida H. Wood, President
Paylocity
Director of Sales - Majors

David Siebert, President-Elect
NCMIC Insurance Company
President

Jeff Matney, Past-President
Holmes Murphy
Senior Vice President, Shareholder

Kiley Skadburg, Secretary
The Iowa Clinic
Chief Marketing Officer

Ashlee Vieregger, Treasurer
Foster Group
Senior Lead Advisor

Kafila Adelani
Nationwide
Director, PL Product
Regulatory Solutions

Nick Blyth
Innovative Captive Strategies
Senior Vice President

Nyra Bottley
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager

Tania Bowman
Dean Snyder Construction
Business Development Associate

Tim F. Heaston
ITA Group
Senior Vice President & Chief

Financial Officer

D'Angelo Johnson
MidWestOne Bank
Vice President, Head of Private Banking - Central Iowa

Braxton Lewis
The Hansen Company, Inc.
Project Manager

Jenny Livingston
R & R Realty Group
Senior Vice President

Jessica McCombs
Mercer Zimmerman
Sales Coordinator

Rafael Colon Cruz

Bank of America Vice President, Small Business Banker

Matthew Romanin
UnityPoint Health
Chief Ambulatory Officer

Marti Skow
John Deere
Communications and Visitor

Services Manager

Ashley Tollakson
Tollakson Law
Owner & Attorney

TO TRANSFORM - TO HAVE PASSION - TO INCLUDE - TO RESPECT

OUR PAST PRESENT & FUTURE

Watch the journey of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa—from its beginnings to the impactful work it does today, and what’s next for mentorship in our community. Hear from Bigs, Littles, BBBSIA staff, and supporters as we highlight stories of transformation and discuss the future of empowering youth in central Iowa.

Our Story

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSIA) is a nonprofit organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to empowering youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships. Established in 1968, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSIA) has since operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), ages 5 through 16, across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

Our Amazing VILLAGE CHAMPIONS

Meet Our Village Champions, the dedicated members behind the scenes, who lead with heart, move with purpose, and empower every child to grow.

From our visionary Guides of Growth, to the committed Mission Movers, and hands-on Youth Empowerment Crew, each member plays a vital role in building brighter futures across Central Iowa.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa CEO

Bridget Cravens-Neely is the Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSIA), a role she has held since June 2022. With a career spanning over 30 years in the insurance industry, Bridget brings a wealth of leadership experience to her current position. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Illinois State University and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Keller Graduate School of Management. Known for her collaborative, entrepreneurial, and innovative approach, Bridget is deeply committed to mentorship and empowering young people to reach their full potential.

Bridget has made an impact through her professional and civic work in the Des Moines community. In 2017, Bridget received the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s 2017 Alumni Volunteer Award. She currently serves in organizations like the Iowa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; the Des Moines Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute; Women Lead Change (Central Iowa Conference); Many Shades of Colour Conference; the YMCA MLK Prayer Breakfast Steering Committee; and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). She also serves on the Business Record’s Racial Equity Advisory Board, 2023 Black and Brown Business Summit Planning Committee, and LadyLike Strategic Planning Committee, and Open Book Storyteller with CultureALL. In 2025, Bridget was honored by Corridor Media Group as one of Iowa 500’s Most Influential Business Leaders. She volunteers as a Big Sister in BBBSIA's Community-Based Mentoring Program. 