Philanthropy is in our Nature

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

Foundation Board of Directors

The Foundation is governed by a 19-member board comprised of volunteers from the community. The board administers funds and oversees the Foundation office and Alumni Affairs.  The Foundation Office plans special events for alumni and friends, conducts fundraising activities, and publishes a newsletter twice per year for the College’s alumni and friends.   ​

Gwen Groen, Ellsworth College Foundation Director

My name is Gwen Groen and I became the Ellsworth College Foundation Director, September 2019.  For me, this is the ‘dream’ career.  I am married to Butch and we are blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  When I am not spending time with my family or on an occasional “girl’s day” with my besties, you would find me in the kitchen baking some of my husband’s favorites.  We have an adorable Labradoodle, “Clay Matthews” who rules our home and hearts.  If our dogs name didn’t give it away, we are avid Green Bay Packer fans. I am a member of the Bethel Reformed Church in Aplington, Iowa and enjoy being part of the praise teams. ​

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Kristie Nevenhoven, Executive Assistant and Manager, Pat Clark Art Collection

Kristie has been employed at the Ellsworth College Foundation since 2015. She lives on an acreage outside of Steamboat Rock with her husband, Corey, and two daughters, McKinley and Maci. Her husband, Corey, also works at Ellsworth Community College in Plant Services. In her free time, she likes to read, go shopping, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, and spend time with her family. She says her favorite part of her job is getting to know the donors and ECC students who come to events or just drop in at the office. She gets to do something different every day and enjoys planning and organizing the events the foundation puts on throughout the year. ​

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Dan Stockdale, President

   Stockdale Law, PLC
​   Board Member since 2001

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Roger Nissly, Vice President

   Nissly & Nissly
   Board Member since 1983

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Jim Roelfs, Vice President

   GNB
   Board Member since 2018  

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John Allan

 Ellsworth Alumni
 Board Member since 2021

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Crystal Doering

    Iowa Falls State Bank
    Senior Vice President, Marketing Director, Retail Manager
    Board Member since 2022

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Barry Hofmeister

   Farm Bureau Financial Services, Agent
   Ellsworth Alumni
   Board Member since 2018

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Julianne Howard

  Ellsworth Supporter
   Board Member since 2022

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Jason Jedele

   Homestead Realty, Realtor
   Ellsworth Alumni
   Board Member since 2022

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Larry Johnson

   Walters and Johnson Law Office
   IVCCD Board President
   Foundation Board Member since 1997

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Adam Nederhoff

   Financial Advisor
   Atlas Financial Services/Thrivent
   Ellsworth Alumni
   Board Member since 2022

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Joe Rabe

   Rabe Farms, Inc.
   Ellsworth Alumni
​   Board Member since 2010

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Kim Sharar

   CFO, Agri Pro Enterprises Inc.
   Board Member since 2018

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Curt Valentine

   Ellsworth Supporter and Alumni
​    Board Member since 2025
 

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Jessica Weaver

   Ellsworth Supporter
   Pat Clark Art Collection President
   Board Member since 2018

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Darwin Miller, Ex-Officio

   Ellsworth Supporter & Ellsworth Alumni
   Ellsworth Board of Trustees President

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