Leadership


Lynette Marshall

President and Chief Executive Officer

Lynette Marshall is president and chief executive officer of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA). Lynette leads the organization’s mission to advance the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy. During her tenure, the UICA experienced record performance and growth and become a national leader in creating a campus culture of philanthropy.

Lynette provides leadership to several national groups, including the Association of Governing Boards, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the CASE 50 Steering Committee and the Big Ten Fund Raisers Institute. In 2017, she received the CASE Commonfund Award, which recognizes individuals who have made valuable contributions to the field through best practices, distinguished service, and volunteer leadership. In 2020, CASE honored her with the Frank L. Ashmore Award for Service to CASE and the Advancement Profession.

Lynette came to Iowa in 2006 after 25 years in fundraising at her alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural science and a master's in educational policy studies. Lynette grew up on a fifth-generation family farm near Peoria, Illinois. She and her husband, Jeffery Ford, have two adult children, Michael and Katharine.


Sheila Baldwin

Senior Vice President for Development

As senior vice president for development, Sheila oversees all development strategy and fundraising teams to ensure the University of Iowa’s top needs and campaign priorities are met. This includes fundraising efforts for the University of Iowa Health Care enterprise, Intercollegiate Athletics, six academic colleges, five health science colleges, and all arts and non-collegiate programs at the University. Raising funds for the University of Iowa since 1999, Sheila has served in several positions: most recently as vice president for health sciences development and previously, as chief fundraiser for UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital. She received a bachelor's degree from the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business and, as a student, was a founding member of UI Dance Marathon.


Sherri Furman

Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations

As senior vice president for Finance and Operations, Sherri is responsible for overseeing Finance, Investments, Information Technology and Facilities. Sherri joined the organization in 1999 and has been providing financial leadership for more than 20 years as both Chief Financial Officer and Controller. Sherri has a unique understanding of the business of advancement, while leveraging a background in accounting, business operations, and financial systems. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), an active member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants (ISCPA).


Diane Brownlee

Vice President for Legal

As vice president for Legal, Diane is responsible for overseeing general legal work and providing legal guidance and solutions to support the organization’s mission of advancing the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy. Diane joined the organization in 2012. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska Kearney and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She served as a law clerk for the Hon. Laura D. Stith, former judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri, and immediately prior to joining the UI Center for Advancement was the contracts manager, clinical trials office, at Oregon Health & Science University. She is a member of the bar in Iowa, Missouri, and Oregon.


Colin Hennessy

Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement

As vice president for Alumni and Donor Engagement, Colin leads a team dedicated to supporting the University of Iowa through thoughtful and innovative engagement and programming—overseeing alumni engagement, annual giving, communication and marketing, events, and stewardship efforts.

Before joining the UI Center for Advancement in 2022, Colin held positions at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Chicago, and most recently, was senior vice president at the fundraising management consulting firm Grenzebach Glier and Associates. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from the University of Iowa, master’s degrees in adult and distance education from the University of Phoenix and public policy and administration from Iowa State University, and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.


Laura Seamans

Vice President for Talent Management

As vice president for talent management, Laura oversees strategies, products, and services that help the UI Center for Advancement attract, retain, develop, and reward highly skilled professionals who are committed to its mission and culture. She possesses domestic and international human resources experience in the fields of utilities, aerospace, and education. Prior to joining the center in 2023, Laura was the senior vice president of talent strategy for ACT. She received a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from St. Ambrose University.


Iowa Magazine
Explore the latest stories from Iowa Magazine.
Related Content

Science writer Cornelia Mutel discusses Iowa?s agricultural challenges and why we should be hopeful.

The former Hawkeye All-American was the world's top runner over 30 in the 800 meters last year and serves as a professional pacesetter.

With the start of a new year upon us, it's time to look back at your favorite University of Iowa stories from 2018. Here are Iowa Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of the year: The Nomadic Life (spring 2018) Hawkeye football favorite Paki O'Meara (10BA) finds ultimate freedom in backpacking around the world, taking photos that inspire a sense of wonder. PHOTO COURTESY PAKI O'MEARA Kinnick at 100 (summer 2018) This past summer marked two historically significant dates for Hawkeye fans: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nile Kinnick (40BA), and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death. In memory of Iowa's favorite son, scholar, and Ironman, we look back on his life and legacy. Ahead of the Game (spring 2018) The Iowa football team becomes the first in the nation to equip the majority of its players with a state-of-the-art new helmet designed to improve player safety. PHOTO: MARK STASTNY Hollywood U (fall 2018) Alumni success in TV and film shines the spotlight on Iowa's? flourishing screenwriting program. ILLUSTRATION: FABIEN GILBERT / ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL Mountain Roots (spring 2018) Nearly 80 years ago, an unlikely UI mountain-climbing club emerged from the cornfields of Iowa to become one of the most active in the world. Now the next generation of outdoorsmen continue in their Hawkeye family's footsteps. PHOTO COURTESY EBERT FAMILY The Secrets of Sleep (fall 2018) UI doctors and researchers work to shine light on the third of our lives we spend in the dark. Illustration: John Emigh Fry's Dream Team (fall 2018) FRYFest honors Hayden Fry's legendary 1983 coaching tree. PHOTO: UI ATHLETICS Going the Distance (spring 2018) UI-trained dentist Deb Carneol (92DDS) completes seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. PHOTO: MARK CONLON/WORLDMARATHONCHALLENGE.COM At 105, Our Oldest Hawkeye? (spring 2018) Catherine Shaw Shors (35BSC), who earned her business degree from Iowa more than eight decades ago, celebrated a milestone birthday in May. 1936 HAWKEYE YEARBOOK A Heroic Homecoming (spring 2018) Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo (92BA) receives a superhero's welcome at his alma mater. PHOTOS: Justin Torner

Each year since 1963, we've honored University of Iowa luminaries with our prestigious Distinguished Alumni Awards.

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Statement unless you have disabled them in your browser.