CORALVILLE, IOWA (November 15, 2022) — The Iowa Women’s Foundation has named Deann Cook as its next President and CEO. The transition takes effect on January 1, 2023 — following the retirement of Dawn Oliver-Wiand.

Since 2013, Cook has served as the President and CEO of United Ways of Iowa — the statewide association for Iowa’s 25 United Ways. During that time, she worked to advocate for policy priorities in education, financial stability, and health while also strengthening local United Ways through training and networking. Cook also managed statewide projects, including the ALICE report and Iowa Reading Corps.

In her new role, Cook will be responsible for leading operations, managing the team, and working with the Board of Directors to drive the IWF forward in its mission to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls.

“This role allows me to move from educating Iowans about barriers to shattering them in collaboration with the IWF board, staff, and donors who are passionate about this work,” said Cook, who was also recognized in IWF’s annual signature publication Ovation 2022.

“Deann is a fierce advocate in our fight against barriers,” said Oliver-Wiand, who retires at the end of this year. “I am so excited to see how her passion and expertise shape the future of IWF and its mission to improve the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. I can’t imagine better hands to leave it in.”

Oliver-Wiand joined IWF as President and CEO in February 2013. Under her leadership, IWF went from awarding $13,250 in grants in 2012 to awarding $370,000 in 2022. She also helped establish a $3 million Legacy Fund campaign, which launched publicly on August 27, 2022 — the 28th Anniversary of the Foundation.

“The Legacy Fund is the largest and only long-term fund of its kind in the state of Iowa, and my final goal as the President and CEO is to see the campaign through to the end,” said Oliver-Wiand.

The fund has reached 82% of its $3 million goal.

About the Iowa Women’s Foundation:

The Iowa Women’s Foundation is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Iowa’s women and girls through a diversified mix of funding and action: research, grant-making, advocacy, education, and collaboration. To achieve its goals and make the most significant impact, IWF brings together and invests in organizations across Iowa that make women and girls more successful. IWF is the only statewide organization working to enhance and improve women’s economic self-sufficiency.

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