(Arnolds Park)– The Okoboji Foundation has a new President. The foundation’s Board of Directors announced today (Wed.) Mindy Gress has been hired to the position and will start in her new role August 12th. Gress tells KUOO news she is looking forward to the opportunity…
“I started my nonprofit career at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa in Waterloo and in that position I was the Director of all of our affiliate county foundations and then when my husband and I wanted to move closer to family I was offered the position at Spencer Hospital as their Executive Director. And as my love for the nonprofit sector continued to grow I never forgot the community foundation and just the wonderful ways that people can use the community foundation to go after their charitable interests and so when the opportunity with the Okoboji Community Foundation became available it was just a great way to get back into that community that I love.”
Gress says she looks forward to helping the foundation build on a strong future…
“I always feel like new eyes bring a fresh perspective and maybe there’s some new ideas that we can come up with to continue to spread awareness about the community foundation. Sometimes I feel like the community foundation is one of the best kept secrets in our state. Yet the Okoboji Foundation has just really done a fantastic job over the years of making themselves well known for the good that they do and reaching out to their community members and so I really just look forward to expanding that and getting to know our donors and creating those relationships.”
Gress adds she’s looking forward to meeting everyone in the community at some events planned for later in August…
“We are hosting coffee and conversations in the foundation office in Arnolds Park on Tuesday, August 18th from 9:00 until 10:30 am and then Wednesday, August 26th as well and then a wine and cheese meet and greet on Thursday, August 20th from 4:30 until 6:00 and I would love to meet anyone who is able to come down and join us for those times.”
In her role as President of the Okoboji Foundation, Gress will join Executive Assistant Ali Schmitz.
