Central College has announced a strategic realignment and several promotions within its advancement division to support the evolving priorities of the college’s comprehensive campaign “A World of Good.” The changes reflect a growing emphasis on donor engagement, alumni outreach and targeted fundraising strategies as the campaign gains momentum.
“Our campaign is about more than dollars — it’s about the lives we touch and the connections we strengthen as we raise both goodwill for our communities and financial support for the college,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 Central graduate. “We’re fortunate to have an exceptional team that brings talent, dedication and creativity to every facet of our work.”
Key staff transitions include:
- Mary Benedict, director of stewardship and engagement, will expand her responsibilities to lead both stewardship efforts and database management, ensuring donors experience meaningful recognition and engagement. Benedict has been with Central for 23 years serving in admission and advancement positions. She and her husband, Russ Benedict, professor of biology, have been deeply involved in campus programs and culture.
- Megan Overton Bouska, annual giving specialist and 2013 Central graduate, will now focus on program-specific annual giving campaigns that support strategic campus priorities. Bouska joined the advancement team in 2022 and currently serves as the Central cheerleading coach. She is the co-lead for Dementia Friendly Marion County, connecting local businesses and individuals with training to be dementia friendly. She and her husband, David Bouska, Class of 2013 graduate, have lived in Pella for more than 10 years.
- Deb Calderwood, senior planned giving and major gifts officer, leads Central’s planned giving program, including Central’s new Leave A Legacy Challenge, which provides an immediate cash match on newly documented planned gifts in support of the campaign. Before joining the advancement team in 2022, Calderwood held development positions with Blank Park Zoo, Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
- Kathy Cashen Thompson, director of development and 1987 Central graduate, will continue serving as a major gifts officer while also planning and managing fundraising strategies for the campaign. Thompson has been with Central for more than 25 years, beginning in admission and then advancement. She serves on the Pella Hospital board, and is a member of the Central Club, Pella Opera House, Pella Historical Society and past president of the chamber, a precursor of Pella Area Community and Economic (PACE) Alliance. She also worked for Kent State University and Defiance College in Ohio. She and her husband Mark are the parents of current student, Cashen Thompson, Class of 2027.
- Michelle Wilkie, senior director of development and engagement, will broaden her leadership role in alumni and donor engagement, while also continuing as a major gifts officer and overseeing key elements of campaign strategy. Wilkie joined the Central advancement team in 2016. She previously served in fundraising and corporate relations for the American Cancer Society in Seattle, Washington.
- Cindy Wilson, major gifts officer, will focus on cultivating and securing major gifts. She has increased her responsibilities with the team over the past 23 years, joining in 2003. Wilson is the parent of Central graduates, Morgan Wilson Van Haaften ’10 and Gavin Wilson ’09. Wilson served as the Central dance team coach from 2005 to 2012.
The realignment comes as part of Central’s broader effort to integrate advancement and its functions of marketing, communications, fundraising and engagement in support of the college’s priorities.
As announced earlier, Hilary Rowe was appointed as director of marketing and communications in May. She has been with the Central advancement team since 2024 and formerly served as the annual giving manager. She will continue portions of that role and oversee the college’s marketing, communications and media relations efforts. She and her husband Davis Rowe, adjunct faculty, are parents of current student, Preston, Class of 2026.
Staff transitions also reflect cross-campus collaboration, with Allyson Mann ’16 moving to student development as student engagement coordinator and Eric Jones ’87 shifting to athletics as athletics recruitment coordinator.
“Each of these individuals plays a vital role in helping Central grow its mission, serve more students and build a strong future,” Eighmy says. “I’m proud of the team’s commitment to each other, our internal and external relationships, and our shared work.” For more information about Central’s advancement initiatives and comprehensive campaign A World of Good, visit central.edu/give.
