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 2024 to June 2025 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.

Tania Bowman, President

Dean Snyder Construction

Business Development Associate

Nyra Bottley, President-Elect
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
OMWI Program Manager

David Siebert, Past-President
NCMIC Insurance Company
President

Matthew Romanin, Treasurer
UnityPoint
HealthChief Ambulatory Officer

Anne Cooper, Secretary
Altus CXO
Fractional Executive, CHRO

Nick Blyth
Innovative Captive Strategies
Senior Vice President

Rafael Colon Cruz
JPMorganChase

Senior Vice President - Business Banking Consultant

Adam Haugerud
MagMutual
Underwriting Executive - Executive Vice President

Tim F. Heaston

ITA Group
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

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

Rachelle Keck, PhD
Grand View University
President

Debbie Korver
Farm Bureau Financial Services
Director, Corporate Services

Braxton Lewis
The Hansen Company, Inc.
Project Manager

Jessica McCombs
Mercer Zimmerman
Sales Coordinator

Jaclyn Overton
Lean TECHniques
Marketing Director

Megan Rosenstiel

Gilbert & Cook
Director of Advisory Services & Partner

Kiley Skadburg
The Iowa Clinic
Chief Strategy & Communications Officer

Marti Skow
John Deere
Aftermarket Operations Manager

Liza Veren
Athene

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Ida H. Wood
Paylocity
Director of Sales - Majors

Pierce Zanders
Sammons Financial Group
Director, Life Customer Service

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.

TO HAVE PASSION

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 1967, 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.

TO RESPECT

TO INCLUDE

TO TRANSFORM

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

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. 