Foundation Board & Staff

Dale is a retired physician. He held a number of leadership roles in physician organizations, health systems and the health insurance industry. He currently remains active on not-for-profit boards. His interests include activities related to his 6 grandchildren and business and personal travel with his wife Mary. He also has an interest in issues related to the environment, healthcare reform and higher education. His passion for how we meet the challenge of creating a skilled workforce for Iowa is a perfect fit with his participation on the Bright Foundation Board.

Jerry worked in Catholic education for 45 years. During his career he was a teacher, counselor, and held various positions in administration before he retired in 2017 as President of Dowling Catholic high School. He has a passion for helping students and families find success through education and personal development. Jerry has served on a variety of national and local nonprofit boards where he helped develop programs and set strategic direction. He sees being a member of the Bright Foundation as an opportunity to be a part of program where education has a powerful, lasting impact on the lives of a special group of students.

Jeff was appointed director of the Des Moines Art Center in the fall of 2005, where he served as acting director, deputy director, senior curator, and curator since 1999. Previously, he held the position of chief curator of exhibitions at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Fleming holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, and a master of fine arts degree from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Fleming’s initiatives as director of the Art Center have been to open its doors to diverse communities, present thought-provoking contemporary art, upgrade the physical facilities, and place the institution on solid financial ground. Like the Art Center, he wants to enable the Bright Foundation’s scholarship recipients to find solid ground in their education and finances for a successful future.

Carrie Kompelien has 25 years of HR experience and is passionate about coaching and developing future leaders to fulfill their career goals. Carrie has had the privilege of leading Human Resources for the Iowa Credit Union League and Affiliates Management Company for 22 years. She earned her Strategic Professional in Human Resources Certification (SPHR) in 2008 from the HR Certification Institute and attained the SHRM Senior Certified Professional designation in 2015. Carrie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University. Carrie resides in Waukee with her husband and son and enjoys attending live music and supporting young artists. Carrie enjoys talking with Bright Scholars about their college and career journey and supporting them on their path to future success.

Tom had a 40 year career in executive positions in healthcare and the managing care industry. He focused on leading managed care organizations, resolving conflicts, seizing market opportunities and facilitating strategic relationships among employers, physicians, hospitals, and insurers. Originally certifying to teach secondary education, and teaching as a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa, Tom has always been interested in education, and especially leadership studies. He loves being a part of continuing the legacy of Lois and Dale Bright and seeing students having the opportunity to grow, and make the world a better place.

Dr. Shadur is a semi-retired physician who has served the Des Moines community since 1980. A native of Des Moines, Dr. Shadur completed his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He finished his medical training at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He is actively involved in medical education for physicians, resident physicians, and medical students and remains passionate about the importance of education at all levels. He enjoys collecting art, baking, bicycling, traveling, and playing golf with his wife Kimberly. He is a fan of classical music, especially opera and symphony. In addition to the Bright Foundation, Dr. Shadur has been active on the boards of the Des Moines Art Center and Des Moines Metro Opera.

Stacy is the owner of Perspective Consulting Partners, an independent, fee-based employee benefits consulting firm located in Urbandale, Iowa. Much of her professional experience has been in the field. She enjoys spending time with her partner, two college-aged sons, friends and her Goldendoodle. Other interests include travel and attending live performances of music, comedy and theater. When it comes to supporting the Bright Foundation mission, she is passionate about linking youth with careers in which they will thrive, recognizing each person’s path may be a little different.

In 2016, the Board of Directors hired Meredith Dohmen as their first staff member to serve as the Director of Scholarships. Today, she fills the role of the Foundation's President after previously being the Executive Director.  Prior to joining the Bright Foundation, Meredith had a career in school counseling at the elementary and high school levels.  Most recently, she served as the K-12 School Counseling and Student Supports Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools. She is passionate about advocating for educational opportunities and systems that support youth in reaching their goals. Throughout her career, she has been active in issues surrounding the career, academic, and social-emotional development of youth leading to her involvement with college and career readiness initiatives at the state and national levels. She loves being a part of the Bright Foundation as her daily job involves making connections with scholars and structuring the Foundation’s programs to support them on their unique journeys through college and into careers.