PROGRAM
A case study of a non-profit experiencing fraud and the actions that they took to recover. This will include an overview of the fraud, lessons in understanding how to detect it and the controls to investigate, actions that were taken by the board and staff, and donor recovery with demonstrated major gift impact.
yOUR PRESENTER
Sara Kurovski, President and CEO
Make-A-Wish Iowa
Sara is passionate about those that she serves. In 2013 she became the first female mayor for the city of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. That journey was a result of her career starting out at a local government agency, Metro Waste Authority, and obtaining her master’s in public administration; while serving on local boards such as the Board of Adjustment, Plan and Zoning, and Polk County Conservation. Sara’s story landed her on the Lean In website and then in the second edition of Lean In: for Graduates by Sheryl Sandberg.
While Sara’s service to Pleasant Hill grew (re-elected for her third term in 2021) her mayoral role also landed her on numerous boards such as Bravo, D.A.R.T., Metropolitan Planning Organization, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Metropolitan Advisory Council, Iowa Municipal Worker’s Compensation Association and Wastewater Reclamation Authority. Sara’s career path evolved as well during this time. She worked as a sustainability manager for Kum & Go Corporate and then transitioned to the non-profit world in the role of the Tocqueville Society Director for United Way of Central Iowa.
Sara’s passion and leadership in both worlds resulted in the joining of the Business Record’s 40 Under 40 class of 2015 and the Business Record Emerging Woman of Influence in the same year. Then in 2016 Sara was selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) to take part of a seven-member delegation to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Through strong participation and leadership on that delegation, Sara was selected to lead a delegation for ACYPL to SE Asia in March of 2018. Globalimpact, translating to the local connection is an area of interest for Sara, which resulted in her being nominated to the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy Spring Fellowship in spring of 2018 at the Center for Strategy and International Studies in Washington DC. Sara is a member of the 2022 -2023 Leadership Iowa Class and was honored by Truman State as a member of the inaugural class of ECHO 25 under 40 leaders in 2022.
In Spring of 2021, Sara set her sight on a career transition that would be a blend of heart and strategy; to become the next President and CEO for Make-A-Wish Iowa. She now leads the team to strengthen their statewide efforts and ensure that every eligible child fighting a critical illness, in the state of Iowa, can receive their wish. Since joining the team at MAW IA, they have received the largest donation in the organization’s history ($1.965 million from the Gerdin Family) and have had record breaking years for granting wishes but also finding eligible children to receive a wish. Sara often travels many days of the week across Iowa to meet with volunteers, donors, wish families and companies who want to ensure that children can receive a life changing wish.
Outside of Sara’s public service and career, she has a lot of fun with family and friends. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Todd; they met at Catholic Youth Camp. The two of them are raising two boys who love to keep them very busy. Sara especially loves to continue global travel adventures, reading, enjoying music, a good movie night, and family time. Sara received her undergraduate degree from Truman State University and was a member of the ultimate frisbee team, Alpha Gamma Delta, and marching band in her college years.
PARKING:
Ample free parking is available on the north and south sides of the building.
REMINDERS:
As an AFP member, you may bring one guest annually FREE OF CHARGE to an AFP monthly education meeting. If you would like to use your free guest pass, please email Kim at afpcentraliowa@gmail.com.
RSVP DEADLINE:
Lunch is catered by the fabulous Cyd’s Catering. Please RSVP by Friday, October 11, 2024, by 12:00 pm so we have an accurate count for ordering.
CFRE CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS:
This program is eligible for CFRE credits. To search CFRE credits for past AFP programs please visit: My Education Finder.