Community Difference Makers
Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa team up in 2026 to tackle our community’s toughest challenges, from food insecurity and housing to childcare and youth violence. Hear weekly conversations with experts and community members working to create real change. Welcome to Community Difference Makers.
Episodes
59 episodes
50. Food Insecurity - Episode 3
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Luke Lynch, Priscilla Marquez, who serves as a communit...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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23:57
49. Food Insecurity - Episode 2
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa. United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davidson-Rippey and Patty Sneddon-Kisting, CEO of the ...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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28:48
48. Food Insecurity - Episode 1
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa from Kathy Underhill, CEO of DMARC and Tami Nielsen, CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa.
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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21:02
47. Adam Gregg - Iowa Bankers Association
Learn more about the important work the Iowa Bankers Association is doing to be the voice for financial services in Iowa from President and CEO Adam Gregg, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 4
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Episode 47
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44:36
46. Lauren Kollauf - The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand
Learn more about the important work that The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is doing to is doing to improve, engage, and promote this area in the historical heart of Des Moines from Executive Director Lauren Kollauf, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 4
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Episode 46
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24:47
45. Chris Norton - Chris Norton Foundation
Learn more about the important work that the Chris Norton Foundation is doing to help people with neuromuscular injuries and disabilities overcome their obstacles and live better lives from Founder Chris Norton, Chris' mother, Deb Norton, who i...
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Season 4
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Episode 45
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31:57
44. Proctor Lureman - Broadlawns Medical Center
Learn more about Broadlawns Medical Center and how you can support their mission from Proctor Lureman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadlawns Medical Center, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 4
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Episode 44
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22:16
43. Bankers Trust's Employee Volunteer Award Winners
Learn more about the Bankers Trust Employee Volunteer Award winners. Hear about what drives our top volunteers, what causes they are most passionate about and how they serve our community.
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Season 4
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Episode 43
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36:30
42. Emily Price - Healthy Birth Day
Learn more about Healthy Birth Day and how you can support their mission from Emily Price, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Birth Day, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 4
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Episode 42
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39:24
41. Julia Franklin - Mainframe Studios
Learn more about Mainframe Studios’ journey and how you can support local artists from Julia Franklin, Executive Director of Mainframe Studios, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 4
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Episode 41
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26:12
40. Stephanie Oppel - ICON Water Trails
Learn more about ICON Water Trails’ mission and their top priorities in 2025 from Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director of ICON Water Trails, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 4
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Episode 40
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31:59
39. Nikki Syverson - Isaacson-Syverson Consulting
Learn more on the state of fundraising for Central Iowa nonprofits from Nikki Syverson, Principal of Isaacson-Syverson Consulting, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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23:24
38. Alissa McKinney - Above + Beyond Cancer
Learn more about the important work Above + Beyond Cancer is doing to doing to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey from Executive Director Alissa McKinney, Above + Beyond Cance...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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28:36
37. Kim Perez - Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Learn more about how the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden works to explore, explain and celebrate the world of plants with our community from CEO Kim Perez and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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33:19
36. Alex McCarty - Principal Charity Classic
Learn more about how the Principal Charity Classic not only brings world class professional golf to Des Moines but how it also raises millions of dollars for Iowa’s children’s charities from Alex McCarty, Tournament Director, and host Emily Abb...
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Episode 36
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32:07
35. Sophia Ahmad - WesleyLife
Learn more about the important work WesleyLife is doing to support the independence, health and well-being of older adults wherever they call home from Sophia Ahmad, Vice President of Philanthropy of the WesleyLife Foundation and host Emily Abb...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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15:30
34. Sheri McMichael - Variety
Learn more about the important work Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa is doing to improve the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill or living with special needs from Executive Director Sheri McMichael, Polo o...
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Episode 34
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32:46
33. Tiffany Tauscheck - Greater Des Moines Partnership
Learn more about the important work the Greater Des Moines Partnership is doing to support economic and community development initiatives throughout the region from President and CEO Tiffany Tauscheck and host Emily Abbas.
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Episode 33
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27:00
32. Carrie Woerdeman - Home, Inc.
Learn more about what HOME, Inc. is doing to give their clients the tools and resources needed to feel empowered to make a safe, stable home for themselves or their family from Executive Director Carrie Woerdeman, board member Jeni Cooper, and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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25:11
31. Breann Bye - 6th Avenue Corridor
Learn more about the work 6th Avenue Corridor is doing to remember the history of the area while focusing on purposeful revitalization and economic development from executive director Breann Bye, board member Wayne Middleton, and host Emily Abb...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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36:28
30. Kari Zimmerman - Young Women’s Resource Center
Learn more about what the Young Women’s Resource Center is doing to empower participants to become strong, self-confident and resilient from Executive Director Kari Zimmerman, board member Stephanie Dose, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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28:12
29. Megan Milligan - The Iowa Center
Learn more about what The Iowa Center is doing to empower and guide entrepreneurs to start believing they can achieve financial success from President and CEO Megan Milligan, board member Kevin Chorniak, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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21:28
28. Tony Timm - Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa
Learn more about the work Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa is doing to remove barriers and level the playing field so all young people can reach their full potential from CEO Tony Timm, board member David Chapman, and host Emily Abbas.
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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24:41