West Des Moines Woman Heads Regional Arts Council

A news release from Bravo Greater Des Moines:

The board of directors of Bravo Greater Des Moines, the Region’s Art Council has elected Sharon Krause to be its new President, succeeding Suku Radia. Krause takes office immediately for a one year term.

Krause is owner and rancher of Dalla Terra Ranch, Iowa’s only organic sheep ranch. Since 2006 Dalla Terra Ranch has annually produced several hundred lambs over 425 acres in central Iowa.

Krause’s strong desire for philanthropy has led her to become one of central Iowa’s most well-known philanthropic contributors and community leaders. She has served in numerous board and leadership positions with a myriad of organizations:

Children & Families of Iowa, United Way of Central Iowa, Iowa Mercy Medical Center, the Industrial Advisory Council for the College of Engineering at Iowa State and the Diocese of Des Moines. In addition to her varied board positions Krause has also received multiple awards like The Diane Tvrdik Memorial Award (Domestic Violence Volunteerism) and the Community Mentor Honoree award from the American Red Cross.

Most recently, Krause along with her husband, Kyle, were presented the Des Moines Register’s Iowa Star Award and the 2010 Outstanding Individual Philanthropist of the Year Award, by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Krause is an Iowa State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering and a minor in Spanish.  She also received an Executive Master of Business Administration from The University of Iowa. She is married to Kyle J. Krause and their family includes Ryan, Tanner, Elliott, Oliver and Emily.  

“As incoming board president, I’m thrilled with the position Bravo finds itself in today and the opportunities ahead of us,” said Krause. “With the addition of two new member communities, (Bondurant and Waukee), and the renewal of charter partner Ankeny in the last several months, Bravo continues to show tremendous momentum and potential for growth.

"I also look forward to Bravo’s role as the Cultural Capital in Capital Crossroads: A Vision Forward, (a five year regional plan) as we collectively implement our parallel strategic plans. It’s going to be a great year for arts and culture in central Iowa.”

Other notable board changes for Bravo Greater Des Moines include the election of two officers, Michelle Gowdy of Dupont Pioneer as vice president and Christine Hensley of the Des Moines City Council as secretary. Matt McIver of the Des Moines Social Club was elected as a non-voting organizational member.

A complete listing of the Bravo Greater Des Moines’ Board of Trustees for the 2012-2013 fiscal year is available on the organization's website.

ABOUT BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES:

Since 2005, Bravo Greater Des Moines has awarded more than 18 million dollars to over 90 arts, culture and heritage organizations in the Greater Des Moines Region. In 2012, Bravo Greater Des Moines, partnering with 15 of the area’s local governments, supported 51 arts, culture and heritage organizations by providing grants totaling more than 2.2 million dollars. A complete list of Cultural Enrichment Grant recipients and more information about Bravo Greater Des Moines can be found at www.bravogreaterdesmoines.org.