Nice to Meet You: Rebecca McCarty

Meet Rebecca. She is a vital member of our biomedical services team. Her work ensures that enough blood drives are scheduled to maintain a healthy blood supply. She is also a busy mom and passionate advocate for volunteering in her community.

Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work on? 

A: I am the Iowa East strategic business planner, which means that I am in charge of planning and booking our drives on the calendar, as well as new leads and sites.

Rebecca McCarty and her family

Q: How long have you been with the Red Cross? Is this your first position with the Red Cross? If not, what was it?

A: I joined the American Red Cross as an Account Manager on April 1, 2024. Fun fact! While this was my first official role with ARC, I was previously lifeguard and CPR certified through the American Red Cross training programs from 1997 to 2004.

Q: What do you like about your work? 

A: I love being a small piece of a bigger picture that saves lives. Working in the nonprofit sector has become an essential part of who I am, and the American Red Cross feels like the right place for me, one I hope to stay with through retirement. Before joining the ARC, I spent 16 years in retail management, but I often felt something was missing unless I was volunteering or involved in service projects around my community. Being part of the ARC family gives my career a sense of purpose that I value every day. I especially enjoy the planning, research and data organization that help our team meet its goals. Success here is truly a team effort, and I’m proud to be part of our Iowa East family, celebrating our wins and tackling challenges together.

Q: What do you like to listen to during the workday? 

A: Nicole Atkins - Neptune City, Be More Chill - Original Cast Recording, Heathers the Musical - Original Cast Recording, Rufus Wainwright - Poses, Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca... to name a few specific artists - albums. Please try these out!

Q: In what part of the region are you located, and what do you enjoy about your community? 

A: I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa, just a short 10-minute drive from our Waterloo collections operation. I’ve called the Cedar Valley home since 2001, when I came to attend UNI and met my husband; he’s the reason I never left! I’m currently serving as president of the Cedar Falls Rotary Club and am active in a business breakfast networking group. I also volunteer with both the Cedar Falls and Waterloo Community Theatres. There is plenty to do and lots of volunteer opportunities in the Cedar Valley.  One of my favorite past volunteer roles was with a children’s literacy initiative called "Heroes for Hope", where we dressed as superheroes and handed out free comic books to kids at events and hospitals. The Cedar Valley is a vibrant community full of arts, service opportunities and endless potential for growth - and I’m proud to be part of it.

Q: How do you spend your time when you aren’t working? 

A: When the workday ends, I shift from strategic business planning manager to mom mode. My husband and I have a lively two-year-old son named Beacon Michael McCarty, and we’re absolutely loving this playful stage of his life. We also have five chickens, and our household is filled with music; my husband plays in a country band called Dry Run Creek, which plays at local venues throughout the Cedar Valley. I’m also active in the theatre community, especially with local film projects. I studied theatre performance at UNI and have dreamed of being a 'movie star' since I was a little girl, so any chance to stay connected to the arts is a joy.

Q: What has most surprised you while working for the Red Cross? 

A: I've gained a wealth of knowledge about blood collection since joining the American Red Cross, and as a blood recipient myself, the experience has taken on an even deeper meaning. One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is how significantly disasters can impact the blood supply and how remarkably the Red Cross mobilizes to close those gaps and make sure that hospital patients still receive the blood they need.

Q: What is a Red Cross moment that sticks with you? 

A: My experience as the account manager for Riceville's In Memory of Kim Grimm blood drive was impactful for me, especially at a time when I was entering the organization and learning so much.  Learning Kim Grimm's story and the journey of how many units this woman needed throughout her disease really put things into perspective, and showed me how the need for blood is constant. Kim Grimm's mother has hosted the blood drive for over 10 years and has finally raised enough blood to meet what her daughter needed in her fight with the disease that ultimately took her life. Seeing the community show up to the blood drive wearing 'Kimmy Grimm' t-shirts and giving hugs all around really made an impact that still gives me chills and warms my heart.