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Volunteer Center Staff Members

Shellie Orngard - Executive Director


Shellie Orngard began her career in publishing and teaching English. She has been a professional writer and editor, and has run her own publishing services company. 

But her career ambitions took a turn in 2000 when she took a job as a writer and editor for a project called Vision 2020, funded by the WK Kellogg 
Foundation. Vision 2020 was tasked with re-imagining Iowa State 
University’s role in providing education in Iowa. While working with the program, Shellie took on the role of project manager and has been working in project management with the goal of bettering Iowa’s communities ever since. 

As Program Coordinator for Iowa State University’s Life in Iowa program, Shellie witnessed the power of service learning in building better communities and more engaged citizens. She put this knowledge to work in strengthening volunteering and establishing a service learning initiative at the Volunteer Center of Story County, where she became Executive Director in 2006.



Stephanie Corbett - Volunteer Engagement Coordinator

Stephanie Corbett joined the Volunteer Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA member from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Simpson College in May 2011. At Simpson, she enjoyed leading a women’s issues group, being a teaching assistant for sociology classes, and volunteering at the Des Moines Catholic Worker hospitality house.

At the Volunteer Center, Stephanie organizes group service activities, such as Days of Service events, including Family Volunteer Day, MLK Day of Service, Make a Difference Day, and Global Youth Service Day. She also advises two youth service learning groups, AmeZone and Story County Youth Philanthropists (SCYP). The Volunteer Center hopes to develop more service learning groups throughout Story County.

stephanie.corbett@vcstory.org



Kristen Loria - School Engagement Coordinator

Kristen Loria joined the Volunteer Center as an Americorps VISTA member from Ithaca, New York.  She graduated from Cornell University in May of 2011 with a degree in Environmental Studies, focusing on sustainable agriculture and development.  Kristen volunteered at a local elementary school garden program, coordinating events and teaching garden lessons in classes.  
She was also active with environmental student organizations on Cornell’s campus, as well as with the student organic farm. 

At the Volunteer Center, Kristen helps to coordinate the Kate Mitchell Community Garden, working with teachers, administrators, partner organizations and community members to develop and sustain hands-on learning opportunities in the garden, organize a student-run farmers market and other events, and connect the school with local farmers and fresh, local produce. These programs seek to enhance nutrition and educational outcomes at Kate Mitchell Elementary.





Board of Directors: 

Merry Rankin, President 
Director of Sustainability, Iowa State University
Sustainability Task Force Facilitator, City of Ames
Linda Gibbs, Vice President
Business Development Specialist, Greater Iowa Credit Union
lgibbs@greateriowacu.org

Trish O'Brien-Edwards, Fundraising Committee
pedwards@vcstory.org

Diana Schmidt, Service Learning Advisory Committee
Supervisor for National Assessment of Educational Progress
di1512@hotmail.com

Anne Harrington, Fundraising Committee
Metlife Insurance
abz_annabelle@yahoo.com

Adam Cotton
Youth and Family Advocate, ACCESS
siradamcotton@gmail.com

Monica Goedken-Abramowitz
Volunteer Coordinator, ACCESS
volunteer@assualtcarecenter.org

Ryan Helling
Student, Iowa State University
hellingryan08@gmail.com

Tom Drenthe
Executive Director, Main Street Cultural District
tdrenthe@gmail.com