New Executive Director

We have some exciting organizational news to share with you!

Iowa CCI’s own Lisa Whelan will become our new Executive Director at Iowa CCI/CCI Action, starting on June 1 of this year. We’re excited to have her help shepherd this powerhouse organization in the years to come!

Hugh Espey, our current ED, will remain on staff as a strategic adviser and continue to play an active role in the organization. With Iowa CCI since 1979, Hugh will build upon his legacy of work in a variety of areas and continue to be a big support on our journeys to our North Stars.

This transition was not taken lightly, and happened over the course of the last 9 months. We had an Executive Director Transition Team led by board members who spent considerable time and energy leading the search, interviewing candidates, and countless conversations on the leadership qualities and responsibilities needed to ensure we’re tough and tenacious for decades to come.

Lisa has a strong and demonstrated track record in community organizing from her beginnings at Iowa CCI in 2002. She has served in a variety of roles as an organizer, project manager, grants manager, consultant, operations director and deputy director.

We offered the position to Lisa, and she accepted! Lisa is moving into the ED role with her eyes wide open. She knows what it entails, she knows the terrain!  And she knows the heart and muscle of CCI is our members like you who drive this work day in, day out.

We couldn’t be more excited about Lisa’s ability, commitment and love for Iowa CCI/CCI Action to lead us.

Onward, 

Barb Kalbach, Iowa CCI Board Chair
Cherie Mortice, CCI Action Board Chair