Nonprofit Leaders and Staff Who Have Gone Above and Beyond
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation has been recognizing nonprofit professionals since 2002 through several recognitions and awards for their leadership, commitment and dedication to the mission of their organizations. Here are past award recipients:
Spirit of Minnie Rubek Recognition
Introduced in 2021
The Spirit of Minnie Rubek recognition honors a nonprofit professional who has gone “above and beyond” in their commitment and dedication to their organization and its mission, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the organization.
2023 Honorees: Learn more about each honoree here.
Amy Brunner, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
Polly Draker, His Hands Free Clinic
Alicia Faust, Willis Dady Homeless Services
Leland Freie, Foundation 2 Crisis Services
Rozana Garrison, Catherine McAuley Center
Katie Goedken-Fennell, The Arc of East Central Iowa
Jeff Hazzard, Ecumenical Community Center Foundation
Rhonda Martin, Mount Mercy University – Athletic Department
Jessica Peel-Austin, Brucemore
Alice Silver, Tanager
Sandy Osborn, Horizons
Yer Vang, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
2022 Honorees: Learn more about each honoree here.
Brad Bezilla, Balance Autism Cedar Rapids
Kim Brown, Foundation 2 Crisis Services
Abbie Covenah, United Way of East Central Iowa
Dawn D’Amico, Horizons A Family Service Alliance
Sarah Dawson, Hawkeye Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
Amber Franzen, Aging Services
Mugisha Gloire, United We March Forward
Janet Gross, Central Furniture Rescue
Bob Hebl, Discovery Living, Inc.
Jackie Lee, Waypoint
Margie Leonard, His Hands Free Clinic
Laura Martin, Kids First Law Center
Dave Mather, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church & Foundation
Achissa Mushimiyimana, Catherine McAuley Center
Jill O’Hara, Eastern Iowa Health Center – Dental Health Clinic
Tora Phelps, The Arc of East Central Iowa
Jackie Stallman, Metro Catholic Outreach
Chelsey Steckly, YPN
Karen Takes, Tanager Place
Clint Twedt-Ball, Matthew 25
Michelle Waldron, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
Dianne Wasson, Mercy Medical Center
2021 Honorees:
Minouche Bandubuila, YPN
Dawn Brouwers, His Hands Free Clinic
Tiffany Bunting, Tanager Place
Keeyon A. Carter, Wellington Heights Community Church
Tabitha Downing, Horizons, A Family Service Alliance
Lisa Gavin, Iowa Legal Aid
Sandy Gilbert, HACAP
Aaron Horn, NewBoCo
Allison Johnson, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
J’nae Peterman, Waypoint
Blenda Peterson, Central Furniture Rescue
Barb Rogen, Foundation 2 Crisis Services
Grant Smith, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Sandy Weger, Catherine McAuley Center
Minnie Rubek Staff Excellence Award
Presented from 2008 to 2019
The Minnie Rubek Staff Excellence Award recognized a nonprofit staff member or group who has quietly gone “above and beyond” in their support of the organization’s mission and has greatly enhanced the overall effectiveness of the organization through their work.
2019: Tim Feldman, Tanager Place
2018: Erin Kurt, Junior Achievement
2017: Tara Richards, Brucemore
2016: Jean Wiedenheft, Indian Creek Nature Center
2015: Dave O’Clair, Four Oaks
2014: J. David Carey, Theatre Cedar Rapids
2014: Kay Fisk, Neighborhood Transportation Service
2014: Kandy Sands, Kids First Law Center
2013: “The Classics” Cedar Rapids Public Library—Jackie Haveman, Karla McMurrin, Mary Lee Kosina, Paula Cufr, Don Troester, Patti Nemec, Carol Hoke, Nancy Geiger, Anne Chapman, Amy Ackman , Dixie Icenbice
2013: Deb Knake, Four Oaks
2013: Deanna Clemens Pedersen, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
2012: Nancy Lackner, Indian Creek Nature Center
2011: Roger Johnson, Brucemore
2010: Laura Ebinger, Kids First Law Center
2009: Kathy Kaiden, YPN
2008: Mary Klinger, United Way of East Central Iowa
2008: Rita Merta, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce
2007: Corey Luedeman, Iowa Legal Aid
Nonprofit Leadership Excellence Award
Presented from 2002 to 2019
The Nonprofit Leadership Excellence Award recognized the leadership and accomplishments of the chief executive officer/executive director of a Linn County nonprofit organization who offers exceptional leadership and creates a lasting impact on their organization and the community. From 2002 to 2012 this award was called the Bridge Builder Award.
2019: David Janssen, Brucemore
2018: Brian Stutzman, YPN (posthumously)
2017: Shannon Ramsay, Trees Forever
2016: Linda Henecke, Big Brothers Big Sisters
2015: Kathy L. Hall, Kirkwood Community College
2014: John Garringer, ASAC
2013: George Estle, Tanager Place
2012: Christine Landa, Junior Achievement
2011: Gail Naughton, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
2010: John Morris, Discovery Living
2009: Thomas Moore, African American Museum of Iowa
2008: Tim Charles, Mercy Medical Center
2007: Rich Patterson, Indian Creek Nature Center
2006: Jim Ernst, Four Oaks
2005: Peggy Whitworth, Brucemore
2004: Betty Hargraves, Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross
2003: Bob Buntz, Alternative Services
2002: Kay Jackson, Mercy Medical Center
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