Jessie Phillips

Chief development officer,
Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

Age: 33

Education: Bachelor of Arts in international studies - University of Iowa; Master of Public Administration -  Drake University 

Husband: Jake Phillips 

Children: Crew and Chase

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Tell us some of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.

I serve as the inaugural board president of 100+ Women Who Care Des Moines, helping the group raise over $835,000 (and counting!) in mission-critical funds for local nonprofits.

As chief development officer at Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, I lead strategic fundraising initiatives, donor engagement efforts and community partnerships to expand opportunities for Girl Scouts across the state.

What's your biggest passion, and why?

My biggest passion is working to create a better world for the next generation. Since becoming a parent, I think about this constantly — whether it’s strengthening community resources, advocating for education or building opportunities. Every effort today shapes the future our kids will inherit, and that drives me.

How do you define success, both personally and professionally?

Success for me is creating a life where I feel balanced and fulfilled, while also having a positive impact on the people I interact with. It’s less about a specific goal and more about knowing that I’m contributing to a bigger picture and making a difference where it matters most.

Tell us about an issue you think more people should know about.

Strong public schools are essential, and the expansion of private equity into education and child care threatens their future. Profit-driven models prioritize margins over kids, risking quality and accessibility. Education should be a public good, not an investment vehicle — our children’s future depends on keeping it that way.

What's an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?

A high school social justice class reshaped how I understood my community and my role within it. Through real-life experiences beyond the textbook, I gained a deeper awareness of the challenges faced by neighbors in our community, which sparked my commitment to listening, learning and contributing to meaningful change.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I’m excited for 100+ Women Who Care to surpass $1 million in donations to local charities! Our board is focused on expanding membership and growing our impact, ensuring more Central Iowa nonprofits receive the critical funding they need to serve our community.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?

No one is thinking about you as much as you think they are — so stop holding yourself back. Don’t let fear of judgment keep you from speaking up, taking risks or going after opportunities.

What's one regular habit that's made you successful?

To be honest, I’m not really a strict habit person! I focus on being present, building strong relationships and tackling challenges with adaptability and resilience — because no single habit works for every situation.

What is one thing you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?

I would like to see Central Iowa leaders address the root causes of the lack of affordable child care. To retain talented workers and support working families, we need to make child care accessible and affordable. At the same time, we must ensure that child care workers are paid a fair wage for the critical role they play.

What's one fun fact about you?

I love to karaoke!

Hobbies:

Hosting friends and family for dinner, DIY projects around the house, classes at Pulse Dance Fitness Studio.

What is one word that best describes you?

Passionate.

What’s one food (meal, snack, dessert, whatever!) you think people must try in the Des Moines area?

Alpine mac from the Cheese Bar.

What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?

Beth Shelton and I recently made a ’90s/2000s parody music video to get Girl Scouts excited about selling cookies! We included snippets of “Bye Bye Bye,” “U Can’t Touch This,” “Barbie Girl” and “Oops I did it Again!”

What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?

Beaverdale Fall Festival.