Leadership
Lynette Marshall is president and chief executive officer of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement and leads the organization’s mission to advance the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy. During her tenure, the organization has experienced record performance and growth and become a national leader in creating a campus culture of philanthropy.
Lynette provides leadership to several national groups, including the Association of Governing Boards, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the CASE 50 Steering Committee. In 2017, she received the CASE Commonfund Award, which recognizes individuals who have made valuable contributions to the field through best practices, distinguished service, and volunteer leadership. In 2020, CASE honored her with the Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service to CASE and the Advancement Profession.
Lynette came to Iowa in 2006 after 25 years in fundraising at her alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including two years as associate chancellor for development. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural science and a master’s in educational policy studies. Lynette grew up on a fifth-generation family farm near Peoria, Illinois. She and her husband, Jeffery Ford, have two adult children, Michael and Katharine.
As senior vice president for Health Sciences Development, Sheila oversees fundraising for University of Iowa Health Care—which includes the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, UI Hospitals & Clinics, and UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital—as well as the Colleges of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health. Raising funds for the UI since 1999, Baldwin has served in several positions in health sciences development, most recently as chief fundraiser for UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. She received a bachelor’s degree from the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business and, as a student, was a founding member of UI Dance Marathon.
As senior vice president for Finance and Operations, Sherri is responsible for overseeing Finance, Investments, Information Technology and Facilities. Sherri joined the organization in 1999 and has been providing financial leadership for more than 20 years as both Chief Financial Officer and Controller. Sherri has a unique understanding of the business of advancement, while leveraging a background in accounting, business operations, and financial systems. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), an active member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA).
As vice president for Legal, Diane is responsible for overseeing general legal work and providing legal guidance and solutions to support the organization’s mission of advancing the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy. Diane joined the organization in 2012. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska Kearney and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She served as a law clerk for the Hon. Laura D. Stith, former judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri, and immediately prior to joining the UI Center for Advancement was the contracts manager, clinical trials office, at Oregon Health & Science University. She is a member of the bar in Iowa, Missouri, and Oregon.
As vice president for Main Campus Development, Kent oversees fundraising for the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and six academic colleges (Henry B. Tippie College of Business, Graduate College, and the Colleges of Law, Engineering, Education, and Liberal Arts and Sciences). He also supervises fundraising for noncollegiate programs (UI Libraries, the UI Stanley Museum of Art, Hancher, Division of Student Life, International Programs, and Regional Major Gifts). In addition to managing frontline fundraising, Kent oversees the Department of Constituent Insights and Analytics, which includes Data Analytics and Prospect Research and Development.
Before joining the organization in 2015, Kent served in advancement executive roles at Minnesota State University, Mankato; California State University, Fresno; and Utah State University. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Michigan State University and a master’s in biblical studies from Cincinnati Christian University.
As vice president for Alumni and Donor Engagement, Colin leads a team dedicated to supporting the University of Iowa through thoughtful and innovative engagement and programming—overseeing alumni engagement, annual giving, communication and marketing, events, and stewardship efforts.
Before joining the UI Center for Advancement in 2022, Colin held positions at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago, and most recently, was senior vice president at the fundraising management consulting firm Grenzebach Glier and Associates. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from the University of Iowa, master’s degrees in adult and distance education from the University of Phoenix and public policy and administration from Iowa State University, and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
As vice president for talent management, Laura oversees strategies, products, and services that help the UI Center for Advancement attract, retain, develop, and reward highly skilled professionals who are committed to its mission and culture. She possesses domestic and international human resources experience in the fields of utilities, aerospace, and education. Prior to joining the center in 2023, Laura was the senior vice president of talent strategy for ACT. She received a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from St. Ambrose University.