Local Leader Called to Serve Nationally

One member from our community has been recognized nationally for her positive contributions in Northeast Iowa. Katie Orlando, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa, has been appointed to serve on Big Brothers Big Sisters of America’s Nationwide Leadership Council. This governing body promotes engagement and communication between all Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Affiliates; assists in the development and implementation of nationwide plans, programs, and best practices; and focuses on BBBS quality performance at the regional level. Orlando will represent nearly 120 Midwest BBBS agencies in this capacity.

Orlando has also been appointed to serve as the Director of National Rural Initiatives by BBBS of America. She will serve in this role alongside her CEO role with BBBS of Northeast Iowa. The new position was established to work on one of BBBS of America’s priorities over the next five years, which is to engage in new partnerships with national corporations. Relationships and funding from these new partnerships will be directed to support BBBS agencies located in rural, underserved communities nationwide. Orlando was selected for this mission critical role after catching the eye of other BBBS agencies across the country through her success in this area locally. Orlando has grown her agency’s program capacity by 145% and operating revenue by 197% during her 2 ½ year tenure at BBBS of Northeast Iowa so far.

Orlando states, “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa expanded our services 18 months ago in five rural counties. We did this because kids need us there, but we knew this expansion came with risk. In the new counties we expanded in, the economy is different. Iowa’s Attorney General’s Office helped with start-up funding to lead this rural expansion and we were so humbled by the corporate support we received following our arrival. This investment is what will help us build a sustainable program for years to come, and best practices from our approach to the expansion in Northeast Iowa will now benefit several other BBBS agencies and their youth served, nationally.”

This great news comes on the heels of another top-performing program year for BBBS of Northeast Iowa. BBBS of America has designated BBBS of Northeast Iowa as a Pinnacle Agency for maintaining one of the strongest, highest quality, and most sustainable programs in the country for the third year in a row. The agency will find out if they will hold onto their national Agency of the Year and Board of the Year status at the national conference in St. Louis this June.

For more information about how you can make a difference in a child’s life and become a volunteer or donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa, please visit www.iowabigs.org or contact 319-235-9397.