Geri Winge – President
A lot of Geri’s life has been spent in service to individuals with disabilities! Past work experience includes working for an organization serving individuals with disabilities, doing in-home therapy, teaching children with special needs at the high school level, and more. Geri attended Iowa State and studied Family and Consumer Science. She also did graduate work in behaviors and learning disabilities at Morningside College. Now retired, Geri is involved with Holy Trinity Parish, the Webster County Conservation Board of Directors, and now LifeWorks. She has four married sons and thirteen amazing grandchildren that she loves to see as often as she can.
What Geri appreciates about LifeWorks is “the care they provide for all they serve.”
Chris Palm – Vice President
Chris Palm has experience as an employer in LifeWorks’ Supported Employment program. We are grateful that he joined the Board of Directors, so he can provide this perspective as he provides oversight to LifeWorks Community Services leadership team. Hailing from Des Moines, he joins the Board with a great deal of experience in retail and management.
Chris appreciates “helping of others with disabilities to be involved in the community and be productive in their everyday lives.” We are glad he does!
Christine Frideres– Secretary/Treasurer
Chris returned to LifeWorks Community Services’ Board of Directors in 2023. She had been on the Board from 2009 to 2015, and we are glad to have her back! Chris brings with her a wealth of financial knowledge, as well as experience as a past Board member. Chris said, “I am honored to be able to serve on the Board of LifeWorks and help individuals with special needs. I enjoy meeting new people and learning. LifeWorks gives me this opportunity.”
Chris is a Certified Public Accountant and co-owner of Cornwell, Frideres, Maher, and Associates P.L.C. She is a member of the AICPA, the Iowa Society of CPAs, the UnityPoint Health Fort Dodge Board of Directors, Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club, and Holy Trinity Parish.
Nick Clark– Board Member
Nick Clark has experience with LifeWorks from his service on the LifeWorks Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors. We are grateful his experience was so positive that he decided to say yes to being on the LifeWorks Board as well.
Nick is an Insurance Producer for Town and Country Insurance, working out of the Fort Dodge office. He is involved with the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club. Nick considers Fort Dodge his home town. He is a graduate of St. Edmond and of Buena Vista University. He received his Master’s Degree from Logan University in 2022.
When asked what he values about LifeWorks, he stated, “I value the passion that the LifeWorks team has while caring for people. They help make our community a more inclusive environment for everyone.”
Jennifer Sumpter – Board Member
“I love that LifeWorks assists and supports people with special needs and helps them to live as independently as possible,” says Jen. That means a lot, since her career is in public health! Jen joined the health department in 2007, served as the chief nurse officer starting in 2016, and became the department’s Executive Director in 2023. She was raised in Pomeroy, received her associate’s degree in nursing from Iowa Central, and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Iowa.
Nolan Vitzthum – Board Member
Nolan Vitzthum’s professional life has been dedicated to helping others. This Licensed Independent Social Worker owns a group private practice in Humboldt, The Heart of Play. She serves on the National Association of Social Workers Iowa Chapter as the Board President, and also volunteers on the Social Work Committee for the Iowa Professionals Licensing Board. She received her BS from Iowa State in Child, Adult, and Family Services, her Masters of Social Work from the University of South Dakota, and a Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy from the University of Wyoming.
This is what she said of LifeWorks: “I appreciate that they view humanity first and help all people feel like valued members of our communities. I value the resources and supports to help others stay active and involved.”