Dee Vandeventer’s passion is fundraising. As a founding partner and past president of ME&V, an integrated marketing communications and fundraising company, she has worked with hundreds of nonprofits throughout the country. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from Iowa State University and an M.A. in Communications/Public Relations from the University of Northern Iowa. Her public relations and fundraising career spans four decades and includes international speaking engagements, authoring of articles and books and university teaching. Vandeventer is a big believer in volunteerism and has led and served on a number of boards too numerous to mention.
Recognitions include Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate, Eastern Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, 2001 Business Philanthropist of the Year, Who’s Who of Business Executives, Women in Communications “Salute” Award, Waterloo Jaycees Outstanding Young Woman Award as well as many awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education; Marketing, Advertising & Communication Professionals of Northeast Iowa, Iowa Bankers Association and Women in Communication.
Most recently, Vandeventer was chief development officer of the Memorial Foundation of Allen Hospital. During this time, Dee lead the “For Allen For You” capital campaign and procured significant donations for Allen College. Vandeventer retired in February 2017 to be a full-time grandma.