The American Red Cross Nebraska-Iowa Region serves the more than 5 million people living in Nebraska, Iowa, three counties in Wisconsin, one county in Illinois and one county in South Dakota. The Region provides vital services to the area 365 days a year—from responding to home fires in local neighborhoods to teaching first aid and CPR to community groups.
We’re able to provide these services thanks to a corps of more than 4,000 dedicated volunteers and the generosity of our donors. The American Red Cross puts these donations to good use. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.
How do we do it? By practicing what we preach: preparedness. We train our volunteers. We plan ahead for the types of disasters that strike in our community. And we train individuals, businesses and community groups so they too, can be prepared.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733 2767) or make a financial gift online. To ask a question regarding your donation or to set up a fundraiser, please call the Development Coordinator at (402) 343-7700 ext. 7115.
Call or visit Find a Blood Drive or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733 2767) to schedule an appointment or a blood drive.
If you are interested in learning more about making a gift through your estate contact Char DeWitt at (402) 657-7844 or char.dewitt@redcross.org.
Call Josh Murray at 402-677-7404 or send an email to joshua.murray@redcross.org for media inquiries.
Call 1-877-272-7337 to access emergency communications services.
When calling the Red Cross to send an emergency message to a family member, it is helpful to have the following information about the Service Member:
Start your volunteer experience by visiting Volunteer Connection or contact your local Red Cross office for details.
With more than 25 years of humanitarian service with the Red Cross, Jill Orton is the Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross Nebraska-Iowa, which serves more than five million citizens with a workforce of around 1,700 volunteers and more than 50 paid staff. In addition to overseeing operations in Nebraska and Iowa, she also is responsible for three counties in Wisconsin, one county in Illinois and one county in South Dakota.
Jill is a Central Nebraska native with a wide-ranging Red Cross career. Prior to becoming CEO, she served as the Region Disaster Officer from 2013-2014. During that time, she served as Job Director for multiple disaster responses, including tornado and flood relief operations. Her leadership assisted the Red Cross in delivering food, shelter, comfort and care to those affected.
In addition to answering the call for help within the region, Jill regularly deploys nationally as part of the Red Cross’ Elected Official Liaison Network. She has served on disaster response operations around the nation, including Hurricanes Michael, Florence and Irma, Superstorm Sandy, Thurman (Iowa) Tornado and Missouri River Flooding.
She started her Red Cross story in the early 1990s as a volunteer in Hastings, Nebraska. Jill’s first paid Red Cross position came in 2000 as part of the Training Services staff for the Heartland Chapter in Omaha and she became that program’s director in 2006. She then served as Executive Director for the Loess Hills Chapter in Council Bluffs, Iowa, from January 2010-August 2013.
Her honors include being an Alumni Cohort of the Red Cross Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program. She is a Rotarian, having served as president of the Council Bluffs Noon Club. Jill is an alumnus of the Institute of Career Advancement Needs (ICAN), Influence Defining Leadership for Women, Leadership Council Bluffs Class XXIII, and the Non-profit Association of the Midlands Executive Institute. She is a graduate of Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota, where she earned a biology and chemistry degree.
Brooke Mehaffey joined the American Red Cross in June of 2008. She supervises business operations and is responsible for all regional operations, fleet and facilities and administrative functions. Brooke coordinates with national headquarters to accomplish the region’s Finance, HR, IT, Fleet Management, Real Estate, Facilities Management, and Risk Management goals and responsibilities, and she ensures that the region’s responsibilities correlating to these functions are accomplished. Brooke has previously served as an executive director and regional communications director with the American Red Cross. Brooke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance at Auburn University.
Brandon Holstrom joined the Red Cross in 2007. He oversees disaster preparedness, response and recovery for the Nebraska-Iowa region.
Brandon has held several disaster leadership positions throughout the Midwest, including State Client Casework Director, Regional Functional Support Manager and Disaster Program Manager. He also has several years’ experience in working with State and County Emergency Management Agencies, State VOADs, local COADs, LEPCs, LTRGs and NGO partners. During his Red Cross career, he has had the opportunity to support several large national response operations in Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.
Brandon is a graduate of Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Marketing.
Becky Greenwald joined the American Red Cross as a Central Iowa board member, then stepped into her current role in 2018. As the Regional Volunteer Services Officer, Becky leads a team that assists all lines of service and departments and is subject matter experts in volunteer engagement, recognition and appreciation. She ensures that volunteers find their ideal opportunities and remain engaged.
Becky earned a Bachelor of Science in Human and Consumer Science from Iowa State University, conducted a research project and study from Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Drake University.
Josh Murray joined the American Red Cross in October 2018. He is responsible for directing the all communications functions for the Nebraska-Iowa Region.
Before joining the Red Cross, he spent 18 years at the University of Missouri—10 years with the Department of Athletics and eight years with the Office of Undergraduate Studies. During his career, Josh has been responsible for a wide variety of media relations, communications, public relations and marketing activities.
He holds two degrees from the University of Missouri—a Bachelor’s of Journalism Degree and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communications.
Krystal Steward joined the American Red Cross as the Region Executive Coordinator in December 2021. In addition to performing administrative duties, she is Chief of Staff to Region Executive Jill Orton and works closely with the region leadership to support each line of service.
Her career began at the Omaha World-Herald and later worked with the Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs. She held positions with the Durham Museum in Omaha, before moving into the banking industry.
Krystal earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and public relations/advertising from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Neal Bohnet joined the American Red Cross in July of 2017. As the Regional Chief Development Officer, Neal cultivates relationships and works with partners to support the Red Cross mission throughout the region.
Prior to joining the American Red Cross, Neal worked in development with other nonprofit organizations. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Waldorf University.
Kevin Zuroski joined the American Red Cross in November of 2015 after 28 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In his role as Service to the Armed Forces Regional Program Director, Kevin ensures that our historical mission of supporting military members and their families continues today.
Kevin received his education through the Marine Corps University.
Bill Heitman was named the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Eastern Iowa Chapter in September of 2023. Bill previously served as the Executive Director for the St. Luke’s Health System Foundation and Community Engagement in Boise, Idaho.
He is no stranger to the Red Cross having worked as a Biomedical Services Donor Recruitment Manager for the Red Cross in 2017-18, first in Arizona and then in Idaho
An Iowa native, Bill graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and he began his career in Iowa.
Leslie Schaffer has spent much of her 25 year non-profit management career with the American Red Cross. Over that time, she has led change as the Red Cross restructured, first consolidating 19 chapters in Iowa into three chapters. She served as the Regional Executive in Iowa for eight years and led field realignment efforts as Nebraska and Iowa became one region.
In her current role, she manages the day-to-day operation of the Central Iowa chapter, building relationships and furthering the Red Cross mission.
Leslie holds an undergraduate degree from Oregon State University and a graduate degree from Washington State University.
Tammy Lee joined the American Red Cross as a volunteer CPR/First Aid instructor in 1991. She currently serves as an Executive Director, growing Red Cross relationships and presence in Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska.
Tammy has spent her entire professional career with the American Red Cross, starting after she was a volunteer as a graduate student.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master’s degree in Youth and Human Services Administration.
Steph Novacek joined the Red Cross as a Regional Philanthropy Officer in 2015 and moved into the Executive Director roll in 2017.
Prior to joining the Red Cross she was at Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln, helping families gain independence and stability. She has experience in fundraising, volunteer management, building relationships, supervising staff and community outreach.
She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education.
Rachelle Lipker joined the American Red Cross team as the Executive Director in 2015, after having volunteered for the Red Cross as a Preparedness, Health & Safety Instructor since 2001.
Prior to joining the Red Cross, Rachelle worked with other non-profit organizations for 20 years.
She holds a degree in Human and Social Service Administration from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska.