Speakers

Maria Torres is the Health Equity Coordinator and Matt Wyant is the Director of Planning & Development for Pottawattamie County.

Megan is the MJE Stroke Coordinator at Methodist Jennie Edmundson. Her presentation will be on basic signs and symptoms of a stroke and treatment options.

Debi Durham is a longtime economic and community development professional who serves as Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA). Durham was named to the positions by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in January 2019. Durham was first appointed to lead IEDA in 2011, and during her eight-year tenure, has turned the agency into a successful public-private partnership, landed billion-dollar economic development projects for Iowa and worked tirelessly on expanding trade and investment opportunities for the state. She prides herself on building coalitions, supporting new ventures and strengthening the state’s industries and communities. Prior to joining IEDA, Durham served as president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. Her several accolades include being recognized as one of the “Most Influential Business Leaders” in the 2019 Des Moines Business Record Book of Lists and receiving the Technology Association of Iowa’s “Legislative Advocacy Leader” award in 2017. Durham also was recognized by the Business Record as a “Woman of Influence” in 2016. Durham holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Management from Missouri Southern State University.

Tom Kerfoot joined Children’s Nebraska in January of 2016 as a Director of Development for Philanthropy. Tom attended Bellevue University for Marketing Management and has thirteen years of experience in healthcare fundraising, working previously for the CHI Health Foundation. Tom has a long record of successfully working with private donors, foundations and corporate sponsors to secure funding for projects and programs. He has extensive experience in event planning and management, and collaborated with a team to develop the planned giving program at CHI Health Foundation.

Tom completed the Certificate in Fundraising Management through the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is currently the Vice President – Marketing & Sponsorships for the Charitable Gift Planners of Nebraska and is a member of the Omaha Estate Planning Council. Tom earned the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy in 2016 through a year-long program with The American College of Financial Services and the Omaha Community Foundation.

Tom has served in leadership roles for a number of area organizations, and is Past-President for the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha and Past-Chairman of the Suburban Rotary Board of Trustees. Tom served on the Board of Directors for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce and was the Chairman of the Board in 2019. Tom has served on the Board of Directors for the La Vista Community Foundation for the past twenty years, serving as Chairman of the Board twice and is currently the Board Secretary.

Tom has received numerous awards and recognition for his volunteer work in the community. He was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year in 2007, 2013 and 2014 for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. He received the highest honor of Chamber Excellence Award in 2016 for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce. He was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in 2009 for the La Vista Chamber of Commerce. He was recognized as the Friend of La Vista in 2011 for his work with the foundation and volunteer work in the community