Staff

Kari McCann Boutell (she/her/hers) joined the Iowa Council of Foundations as President in 2015. Kari works directly with the Board of Directors and oversees the implementation of ICoF’s strategic framework through program development and management, membership recruitment and retention, as well as education and outreach for the purpose of strengthening, guiding and growing philanthropy in Iowa. An Iowa native, Kari brings her lived, rural experience, passion for place-based leadership, and collaborative spirit to the network each day.

Kari has a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management from the University of Northern Iowa and a graduate degree in philanthropic studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Prior to joining the ICoF, Kari was the Director of Nonprofit Partnerships & Grantmaking at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

Kari serves on the United Philanthropy Forum Board of Directors and University of Northern Iowa Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Advisory Board. Kari is a Jr. Achievement classroom volunteer and participates in a local Women’s Giving Circle, where she participates on the Grantmaking Committee. Kari also provides consulting services for nonprofits.

Kari lives in the Dubuque metro with her husband and two children. Her earliest memory of formal philanthropy dates back to eighth grade when she joined her local youth philanthropy group.