Iowa West Foundation Hires Next President & CEO

Council Bluffs native Brenda Mainwaring is the first female to lead the organization

Following a nationwide search, the Iowa West Foundation (IWF) Board of Directors recently named the organization’s new leader. Council Bluffs native Brenda Mainwaring was selected to serve as the next President and CEO beginning in September. With the announcement, Mainwaring becomes the first woman to be named to the role since IWF was formed nearly 25 years ago.

Mainwaring brings decades of experience to the position from her years as an executive at Union Pacific. She is credited with developing funding partnerships with communities and not-for-profit organizations across Iowa, Nebraska and eight southern states as they implemented transformative projects. In addition, she helped communities create jobs as well as develop community spaces.

“Brenda is a problem-solver,” said Iowa West Foundation Board President Matt Gronstal. “Her extensive experience creating and implementing strategic initiatives at every level will be of great value to the Foundation and to the communities of southwest Iowa.”

Rick Killion, past president of the Iowa West Racing Association and chair of the search committee, echoed those sentiments.

“In Brenda, we found a candidate who is both familiar with the community and has a reputation for getting things done,” Killion said. “Her passion for collaboration, coupled with her many accomplishments in both the public and private sector, made her the perfect fit to be our next leader. We are confident she will continue the forward momentum of the Foundation.”

Mainwaring will replace current President and CEO, Pete Tulipana, who will retire after serving in the lead role since 2012.

“Pete and the entire Iowa West Foundation team have built an organization that provides a model for the greater philanthropic community,” Mainwaring said. “The work completed under his leadership has touched the lives of every resident of the region, whether you are an athlete, an arts aficionado, a parent of a school-age child, or all of the above. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to continue the work of the staff, board and community members as we all focus on improving lives and strengthening our communities.

“My husband Brian and I are absolutely thrilled to be coming back home to Council Bluffs.”

Mainwaring is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Iowa. Her background includes private foundation grantmaking, public-private partnerships, and relationship-building across a broad spectrum of geography and interests. Council Bluffs residents may be familiar with her work to develop the Union Pacific Railroad Museum and Kenefick Park at Lauritzen Gardens. She also served as a volunteer, fundraiser, or board member for the following local organizations:
-Council Bluffs Planning Commission
-Pottawattamie Conservation Board and Foundation
-Bluffs Art Council (now Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment)
-West Pottawattamie Master Gardeners
-Midlands Humane Society
-Union Pacific Railroad Museum.
-Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation

Mainwaring’s official start date is Sept. 8th with more details on community engagement opportunities to come.