Foundation Staff
Our staff is happy to help you with any questions or donations you may have. Feel free to call or stop by any time.
Julie Crockett
President
(319) 398-6100
jcrockett@mercycare.org
In July 2017, Julie joined the Mercy Medical Center Foundation as President and oversees all activities related to raising philanthropic support for the hospital. Prior to this role, Julie served as the Vice President of Advancement at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She also had an 11-year career as the Vice President for University Relations at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Julie started her 26-year career in higher education at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Iowa and a Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University.
Julie is from Cedar Falls and is married to her husband, Kevin. In her free time, she enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, gardening and enjoying all outdoor activities.
Diane Stefani
Vice President of Development
(319) 369-4748
dstefani@mercycare.org
Diane is a native Cedar Rapidian and a graduate of Iowa State University. Her interest in fundraising began as a volunteer raising money for the former Science Station.
Soon after, she worked for Four Oaks developing the Four Oaks Golf Classic and was the Executive Director of the Four Oaks Foundation. Diane has also worked at the Chamber of Commerce as the Coordinator of Foresight 2020, and for the City of Cedar Rapids as the Sesquicentennial Coordinator.
She is married to Rick, an attorney, and together they have three married children and three grandchildren. On the weekends, you can find her entertaining, golfing, reading or decorating.
Kristin Roberts
Director of Planned Giving
(319) 369-4768
kroberts@mercycare.org
Kristin helps donors identify what they want their legacy to look like and how to plan it. She works with both current and potential supporters, along with cultivating relationships with estate-planning professionals.
Kristin is passionate about our community’s non-profits and has been the Chief Advancement Officer at Four Oaks, the Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, and a Development Officer at Coe College. Currently, she serves on the SonShine Early Childhood Academy board and her church’s council and foundation board. She also is a past-president of Junior League of Cedar Rapids.
Kristin grew up in Denver, IA, and graduated from Wartburg College with a B.A. in Communications. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys being in nature, running and spending time with her family, husband and two sons.
Patti Weiland
Sr. Accountant
(319) 398-6281
pweiland@mercycare.org
Patti is responsible for ensuring all transactions are reflected accurately on financial statements and audits. One who enjoys learning new systems and streamlining processes, she confirms data integrity by ensuring contributions are tracked accurately and spent according to donor wishes.
Patti grew up in Minnesota and relocated to Cedar Rapids after her tour as a Navy Air Traffic Controller, where she was stationed in San Diego. She graduated with a B.A. in Administrative Management and Accounting from Mount Mercy. Patti has a unique blend of professional financial accounting, budget, research and data systems experience notably from the University of Iowa and AEGON/Transamerica.
Patti enjoys spending time with family, traveling, hiking, working out, scuba diving, canning, gluten-free cooking and reading.
Jennifer L. Schulte
Communications Specialist/Grant Writer
(319) 398-6096
jlschulte@mercycare.org
Jennifer comes to The Mercy Foundation with 12 years of non-profit fundraising experience. Her experience includes Operations Supervisor at The HACAP Food Reservoir, Senior Campaign Manager at United Way of East Central Iowa and Corporate Events Director for The American Heart Association. Jennifer is committed to making the greater Cedar Rapids community a better place to work, live and play!
Jennifer holds a Public Relations degree from Mt. Mercy and is thrilled to be working with the Sisters of Mercy again.
Jennifer is a board member and meal cook for Catholic Worker House and volunteers at St. Jude’s Catholic Church. She is also a member of the Cedar Rapids Kernels Booster Club. You can catch her on the tennis court watching her two boys, watching her daughter dance on stage, working out, reading a book or baking in the kitchen.
Julie Potter
Project Coordinator
(319) 221-8770
jpotter@mercycare.org
Julie recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary with Mercy Foundation. Prior to Mercy, Julie was employed with McLeodUSA for 18 years as a Senior Administrative Services Manager.
A member of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), Julie is a LaSalle High School graduate and attended Kirkwood Community College. Julie and her husband love to vacation near the northern boundary waters of Minnesota with their two sons and two lively Jack Russell dogs.
An avid reader and Northern Illinois University fan, Julie is an ardent supporter of Waypoint. Her favorite quote motivates her daily: “Not to decide, is to decide.” – Harvey Cox.
Christine Stevenson
Donor Services/Office Coordinator
(319) 398-6206
castevenson@mercycare.org
Chris job-shares the Donor Services Specialist position, where she processes incoming gifts, manages the donor/prospect database and produces gift and fund reports for the staff.
Prior to Mercy, Chris worked for 15 years in a family-owned business providing payroll and accounting services. Chris is a native of Cedar Rapids whose ties to Mercy run deep as she was born at Mercy and had both her children here at Mercy. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Business and enjoys spending time with her two grown children and husband, cheering on the Hawkeyes, traveling to concerts and boating on Coralville Lake.
