CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank Staff
Sarah Nelson
Executive Director
sarah.nelson@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 109
As Executive Director, Sarah is responsible for the overall management of CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank, operating under the strategic direction established by the Board of Directors. For the past 20 years, Sarah has worked in child welfare, criminal justice, crisis services, and youth services. Throughout her career, she has led many successful community-wide strategic initiatives, implemented innovative programs to address barriers for those experiencing crisis, as well as developed programs to address the root causes of poverty to help individuals and families not just survive, but thrive.
Sarah McNee, SPHR 
Director of Human Resources
sarah.mcnee@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 853
Sarah is the Director of Human Resources. Sarah has 20-plus years experience in HR Management in a variety of industries and fields, including non-profit organizations and most recently as a consultant. She’s passionate about community advocacy and involvement, and empowering and motivating employees through education and engagement. She has a BA from Marquette University, where she studied HR Management, English, and Social Philosophy.
Fun Fact: My love of life-long learning has been encouraged since a young age, when I took classes ranging from scherenschnitte to birling.
Julia Winter
Outreach & Events Manager
julia.winter@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 105
Julia serves as CommUnity’s Outreach and Events Manager, coordinating community outreach and special events logistics. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation: Inclusive Recreation from The University of Iowa in 2016. In addition to her B.A, Julia pursued certificates in Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication, and Event Planning.
Fun fact: Julia loves to travel and is more than halfway to her goal of traveling to all 50 states by the age of 30!
Nicole Kilmer
Marketing & Communications Manager
nicole.kilmer@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 151
Nicole handles all of the media relations for CommUnity. She also is responsible for overseeing the execution of the organization’s strategic marketing, public relations and communications plan. Nicole is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications.
Fun fact: Nicole was a television news anchor for over 15 years and was also an actress in commercials, TV and movies growing up.
Media Inquiries
If you are a news media professional and need information or would like to request an interview, please fill out and submit your request using the form below. Please include as much information as possible. All requests will be considered in the order received.
Please click here to access the Media Inquiry Form.
Emma Meyer
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emma.meyer@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 106
Emma is our Marketing and Communications Coordinator. She assists with developing and managing content and social media marketing programs, including blogs and public relations efforts. Emma plays a vital role for CommUnity, responsible for the daily tasks of executing our annual communications plan. She is a 2019 graduate of Cornell College with a degree in English (Creative Writing); Economics & Business.
Fun Fact: Emma has one green eye and one brown eye.
Kyle Burke 
Grants & Research Coordinator
kyle.burke@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 150
Kyle helps CommUnity use data to drive decision-making in addition to overseeing the grant application and reporting process. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 with a Masters in Social Work.
Fun Fact: Kyle loves to play piano and cello (especially when he should absolutely be doing other things).
Erin Criss
Community Relations Associate
erin.criss@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726
Erin provides administrative support and is often the first person you’ll talk to when you call or stop by CommUnity. She has an Associate’s degree in Administrative and Office Support from Muscatine Community College.
Fun Fact: Erin enjoys gardening and going for walks in nature and would one day like to own a tiny house.
Cindy Hewett, MSW
Director of Services
cindy.hewett@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 170
As Director of Services, Cindy oversees CommUnity’s Crisis Intervention, Food Bank, and Mobile Crisis Outreach programs. Cindy previously worked as CommUnity’s Director of Human Resources and as a Mobile Crisis Outreach Counselor. Cindy received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work at the University of Iowa.
Fun fact: Cindy grew up in Southern California and still has a tendency to use the words, “dude,” “totally,” and “gnarly” on a fairly regular basis.
Angie Meiers
Business Manager
angie.meiers@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 107
Angie is responsible for everything related to the operations of CommUnity. Bookkeeping and financial reports, purchasing, building maintenance, staff benefits and payroll (our favorite!) are just a few of her many areas of expertise. Angie joined CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank in September 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from St. Ambrose University and is a native of Durant, Iowa.
Fun fact: Angie and her daughter, Abby, share the same birthday.
Carol Miller
Business Office Coordinator
carol.miller@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 119
Carol Miller is the bookkeeper and is responsible for accounts payable and receivable. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Business and a Master’s of International Management. Carol has experience in fund accounting and grants cash management.
Fun fact: Carol sings in a ladies’ quartet and plays piano.
Russ Duccini
Facilities Coordinator
russ.duccini@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 131
Russ Duccini is responsible for building and equipment maintenance for CommUnity. He coordinates contracted work, supply ordering, and assists with various community and student volunteer groups.
Fun fact: Russ has a culinary background and has competed in numerous cook-off competitions. He has won a few local C.A.S.I. (Chili Appreciation Society International) events as well!
Matt Himschoot
Warehouse Coordinator
matt.himschoot@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 112
Matt Himschoot is the Warehouse Coordinator at CommUnity. He has worked in shipping and receiving for over 12 years. Having worked for large corporations and small businesses, he has developed his warehouse management style under the mentorship of experienced leaders in multiple industries.
Fun fact: Matt is an avid traveler. He only has 3 states left in North America to finish off the list!
Krystal Kabela
Food Bank Program Manager
krystal.kabela@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 111
Krystal oversees and manages the Food Bank department. This includes the Food Bank, Mobile Pantry, and Basic Needs Program. She is native to Iowa City and has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa. She has worked with non-profit organizations for most of her career.
Fun Fact: Krystal enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, including her two pups.
Katherine Posten
Basic Needs Coordinator
katherine.posten@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 117
Katherine joined CommUnity in 2020 and coordinates the distribution of services provided through the Basic Needs Program. Katherine graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and hopes to return to college and earn a masters in art therapy.
Fun fact: Katherine is a certified yoga teacher and birth doula.
Gloria Jones
Basic Needs Supervisor
gloria.jones@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-0128
As a Basic Needs Supervisor, Gloria is responsible for helping administer the Basic Needs program at CommUnity.
Olivia Pond
Basic Needs Supervisor
olivia.pond@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-0128
Olivia helps people obtain work enabling items and run housing and utility assistance programs at CommUnity. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Physiology. Olivia has completed three AmeriCorps terms of service, including one with CommUnity, and aims to serve in the PeaceCorps one day.
Fun Fact: Olivia’s cat enjoys adventure. He has joined her on hikes and even in the kayak!
Lucas (Luke) Welch
Food Bank Coordinator
lucas.welch@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 129
Lucas obtained his Bachelor’s in Anthropology at Central College where he also played football, studied abroad, and began volunteering. He came to CommUnity following a year in AmeriCorps with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Fun Fact: Luke is a huge fan of football. Go Hawks and Go Packers!
Ryan Dickson
Crisis Intervention Manager
ryan.dickson@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 818
Ryan started with CommUnity as a volunteer in 2018. He has a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Music Education. As a coordinator, Ryan mostly handles data related projects, as well as some IT. He also helps train new volunteers, and presented research on the effect of Developmental Helping Model skills on client mood at the 2019 American Association of Suicidology Conference in Denver.
Fun Fact: Ryan plays trombone proficiently, but has never been in a ska band.
Altahra Ahmed
Quality Assurance & Training Coordinator
altahra.ahmed@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726
Altahra oversees the training and quality assurance activities in the Crisis Intervention department. She has a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Khartoum in Sudan, and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Iowa. She has worked extensively with non-profits in Sudan and developed a wide range of educational and training materials in Arabic and English. She has presented papers and participated in many conferences spanning four continents. Her mother is Romanian and her father is Sudanese. She lived in Romania and Sudan before coming to the U.S. She speaks Arabic, English, Romanian, and Hungarian fluently and is continuing to learn Spanish and French.
Fun Fact: Altahra loves traveling and road trips. She has driven through Iowa from the Mississippi to the Missouri rivers. She has driven all the way to Virginia on the east coast and Texas to the south.
Jenni Livingston
Crisis Intervention Operations Coordinator
jennifer.livingston@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726
Jenni has been doing in crisis intervention work since 2012. She was part of another Mobile Crisis Outreach team for almost two years before coming to CommUnity in September of 2019. Jenni did her undergraduate work in Psychology and Biology at the University of Northern Iowa, and her master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Mercy University. She enjoys learning new things, spending time with the important people in her life, and being with her pets. Jenni is passionate about self-care and healthy boundary-setting for mental health providers.
Fun Fact: Jenni worked as a nanny in Turkey after college.
Steven Groom
Crisis Intervention Overnight Coordinator
steven.groom@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 113
Steven began working at CommUnity in the fall of 2012. He has worked in the Crisis Intervention program as a staff member taking calls and chats with clients from all over Iowa and beyond. In 2017 Steven was promoted to Call Room Supervisor and helps staff and volunteers by providing insights into client needs and through feedback on their contacts. Steven also assists in fall and spring training classes and is known for bringing in treats for staff and volunteers.
Fun Fact: Steven owns several ukuleles and enjoys trying to play them. He’s very enthusiastic about it, even if he’s not quite competent at it yet.
Hannah Green
Crisis Intervention Operations Coordinator
hannah.green@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 113
Hannah began her time at CommUnity as a volunteer Crisis Counselor. She has a Bachelors in Music from North Dakota State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at UNI. She loves her pack of three dogs, Moffitt house, and musical theatre.
Fun Fact: Hannah was born on Earth Day!
Sami Therme
Disaster Distress Helpline Supervisor
sami.therme@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726
Sami studies criminology, human relations, resilience and trauma informed perspectives, and social justice (a bit of a mouth full) at the University of Iowa. She began at CommUnity her freshman year of college as a volunteer. She worked as an OCIS counselor before taking on the Supervisor role for the Disaster Distress Helpline.
Fun Fact: Sami has been a camp counselor for four years.
Aiden Rohwer-Nutter
GuideLink Program Manager
aiden.rohwer-nutter@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 120
Aiden is the GuideLink Program Manager, and oversees the on-call counselors on the MCO team. She started her career as a school counselor and in-home counselor for children and youth. Before joining CommUnity, Aiden worked as a counselor at an adult behavioral health hospital, and is a nationally registered EMT. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her Masters and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Counseling from Harvard.
Fun Fact: Aiden is the proud parent of three black cats, considers herself the organization’s “cat lady”, and one of her life goals is to own a hospice farm for aging animals.
Jacob Story
Crisis Response Manager
jacob.story@builtbycommunity.org
(319) 351-2726 ext. 134
Jake completed a Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 2010 and is a trained Hospital Chaplain but has spent the last six years as a stay-at-home dad. He joined the Mobile Crisis team as an on-call counselor in October 2017 and continued with CommUnity full-time as an MCO Follow-up Counselor in May 2019. In 2021, Jake became a Crisis Response Manager. Jake enjoys studying grief, death, and dying.
Fun Fact: Jake loves binging trashy reality dating shows. Have a question about The Bachelor? He’s got your answers.
Parth Patel
Crisis Counselor II
parth.patel@builtbycommunity.org
Parth started out at CommUnity as a volunteer on the Crisis Lines in winter 2016. He then worked as an overnight crisis counselor to gain more experience in crisis intervention. Parth joined the mobile crisis team in October 2017. Parth completed his Psychology, BA and Minor in Human Relations at the University of Iowa in May 2016. In his free time, Parth enjoys reading, playing tennis, and binge-watching shows.
Fun Fact: Parth has visited 4 of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World.’ His goal is to visit the remaining 3 in the next 5 years.
CommUnity Board of Directors
The role of our Board of Directors is to provide guidance and strategic oversight to management. Directors may serve two consecutive three-year terms and appointments follow our fiscal year, July to June.
To learn more about the duties of the Board of Directors or to submit an application to join, please click here.
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Amy Hospodarsky, Chair New Pioneer Food Co-op, Iowa City |
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Chris McDonnell, Vice Chair MidWestOne Bank, Iowa City |
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Phillip Bettis TIAA Financial Services, Iowa City |
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Curtis Chung University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City |
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Greg Vrchoticky, Development Committee Chair Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank, Iowa City |
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Eddie Etsey, Program Oversight Chair Hawkeye Sports, Iowa City |
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Scott Hansen University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Iowa City |
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June Juenger NXT Bank, Iowa City |
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Kingsley Botchway Waterloo Community Schools, Waterloo |
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David Leshtz, Advocacy Committee Chair Office of Congressman Dave Loebsack, Iowa City |
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Yu Yu Hills Bank, Iowa City |
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Jeff Sears, Governance Chair Astellas Pharma, Iowa City |
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Deb Seymour-Guard North Liberty |
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Karen M. Shemanski Human Resources at University of Iowa, Solon |
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Broderick Binns Hawkeye Sports, North Liberty |
Carlette Washington-Hoagland University of Iowa Libraries, North Liberty |
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| Phil Peterson, Treasurer Community Volunteer, Iowa City |
Julia Mears, Policy Chair Mears Law Office, Iowa City |
Committee-At-Large Members
Jan Leff, Development
Stephen Hennesy, Program Oversight
Harry Olthoff, Program Oversight
