Karla Twedt-Ball has served the Community Foundation for 16 years, assuming the role of President & CEO in 2023. Karla’s career has been defined by fostering connected communities through cultivating relationships, supporting healthy community systems that work for everyone, and nurturing collaborative community efforts. Karla loves the role of community foundations in helping communities flourish by uniting donors, nonprofit professionals, and community members to support thriving people and places. She brings deep expertise in the philanthropic field, including board and volunteer leadership at a state and national level. Karla serves on the board of the Funders Network, a national philanthropic serving organization, chairing the finance committee and co-chairing the Inclusive Economies working group. She recently served on the Iowa Council of Foundations Board of Directors, including a term as board chair. Karla teaches a graduate class on management and strategic planning for the School of Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Iowa.

In her free time, Karla loves spending time with friends and family, especially with her husband Clint and her two adult children, Isaac and Annika. She loves music and the arts, and enjoys Linn County’s cultural activities, including theatre, concerts, festivals, and more. Karla enjoys travelling and exploring new places, especially when it involves tent camping, hiking, canoeing, or reading by the campfire.