Community Impact Committee & Investment Review Panelists

Our Community Impact Committee:

Guides United Way’s efforts to identify and attain key results to address the community’s most critical needs;
By identifying the community’s needs, the committee will ensure the successful achievement of United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States community impact goals.

Community Impact Committee Members (*United Way Board Member):

Adrienne Breitfelder, City of Dubuque

*Andy Wickham, AY McDonald – Chair

*Andy Sherman, Kyndryl

*Carrie Tedore, Independent Consultant

Chris Chapin Tilton, Community Member

*Derek Duehr, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

Gisella Aitken-Shadle, City of Dubuque

LaMetra Murdock, City of Dubuque

Ron Axtel, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (Funded Partner Liaison)

Tyler Freye, Alliant Energy

Investment Review Panel:

Reviews and scores all grant applications and reports from applicants and Funded Programs;

Provides allocation recommendations for the grant cycle that is objective, fair, and impartial.

Investment Review Panelists:

Gisella Aitkin-Shadle, NICC	"With my participation on the Investment Review Panel, I am thankful to play a small role in helping members of our community get the assistance they need from the many organizations supported by the United Way. We get the opportunity to see how the resources shared by the United Way are going to make an impact in the lives of so many people in our community. "
Kathy Buhr, Dubuque Racing Association	"The opportunities created through United Way funding helps make Dubuque and the surrounding communities better places to live, work, and play. The collaboration between so many people from so many different organizations is truly inspiring! It’s an honor to serve on the Investment Review panel. "
Ricardo Cunningham, University of Dubuque	"I serve as a volunteer with United Way because I believe in their pillars of Health, Education, and Income. Also, serving on the board of various local non-profits, I know firsthand the impact of their grants in the Dubuque community."
Nancy Fett, Loras College	"United Way is first off, an amazing organization that has helped so many of our nonprofits continue in the good work they do. Secondly, I love the people (staff and volunteers) I work with at United Way. They believe in their mission, not only in words but in action. The passion and purpose of this organization are to be heralded and appreciated in our community. They are the good ones."
Tyler Freye, Alliant Energy	"I am most passionate about making sure children have the resources, education, and nutrition they need to have the best opportunity at success. No matter their situation they should have the opportunity to follow their dreams."
Katie Hensely, Cottingham & Butler	"I worked for a non-profit organization for 5 years and learned firsthand how impactful United Way resources are to our community. As a panel member, I enjoy reviewing the great resources agencies are offering to community members to improve lives. 'Somewhere along the way, we must learn there is nothing greater than to do something for others' Martin Luther King Jr."
Digger Kurt, Cottingham & Butler	"I volunteer with the United Way because it is not only a great way to give back to the community, but it is an excellent way to help contribute and make sure future generations have a place they are proud to call home. I am proud to be a Dubuquer and the direction we are headed!"
Brian Lacy, Modernfold	"I believe that we all must play a part in our community, and it is my privilege and pleasure to help with whatever I can. In addition, I believe that we need the community, and the community needs us."
Jean Lange, Sisters of the Presentation	"As a long-time employee of non-profits, I understand the importance of financial support from grants to continue the good work so many non-profits do. The benefit, to me, from reading grants is that I am reminded that much good work continues and people are helped! It’s a good way to bolster my belief that people are good!"
Steve Larson, Woodward Communications	"I enjoy being part of the United Way investment panel because I believe in United Way's mission. The investment panel's review process allows us to make an objective evaluation of each agency's request and give the United Way board and management guidance on how best to allocate their resources."
Robert Moore, John Deere Dubuque Works	"As a leader within John Deere, I am humbled by the combined power of our corporate citizenship activities and the diverse group of citizens acting in coordination to enrich the lives of those who live in the tristate community. Together we build stronger businesses and better lives through volunteerism. Through my involvement in the Investment Review Panel, I am able to help efficiently drive funding to the local organizations which in turn, help the United Way accomplish their mission of connecting people and resources to advance the health, education, and income of those in need in our community."
Sarah Saylor, WHKS	"It’s rewarding to see the positive outcomes of the initiatives that are implemented by the funded partners and supported by the United Way."
Lori Stewart, TCG Consulting	"It is a privilege to continue serving on the UWDATS Investment Review Panel. The opportunity to review the requests for funding from our local non-profits is a humbling and rewarding experience. United Way assists our difficult task with a fair well-established process; aligning the focus on health, education, income/financial stability, cornerstones of a healthy community."
Alice Vontalge, Crescent Electric	"I believe we are all very fortunate to be part of this community. Everyone should look for opportunities to share our individual talents to help others. This is one small way for me to assist while learning about United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States"