When Rachel Simon got involved with EWI she dove in headfirst, spending a year as a mentor before joining the board of directors and quickly rising through the ranks. She served two years as secretary and has just completed another two as president. “You can’t find a better program than Power Read in central Iowa,” she says. “It goes beyond reading. You’re building relationships and you can see the difference you’re making.” As a director, Rachel says she’s most proud of how the organization handled itself during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to continue to support our students. “The fact that we get to celebrate 20 years of Everybody Wins! Iowa this year, especially after COVID, that’s a feather in the cap for our organization,” says Rachel, who mentors at River Woods Elementary School.

As the technology and development director at EWI, Jordan Mains has a hand in just about everything the organization does. “First and foremost, I oversee the technology needs of the organization and make sure that everyone’s in a good place and that the data stays secure,” he says. One of his greatest challenges came during the pandemic, when he researched the many platforms to find one that would allow virtual mentoring and storytime as well as staff and board meetings. Jordan also manages the website and social media and oversees development, especially the many grants that help fund EWI. “Fundraising in general feels really good,” he says. “Every time we get a really large sum, that feels great.”