Nice to Meet You: Tammy Lee

Meet Tammy Lee. She is the executive director for the Northwest Iowa Northeast Nebraska chapter and celebrated 25 years with the Red Cross earlier this year. She described her role with the Red Cross and shared some of the moments that fuel her dedication to our mission.

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

A: Every day as an executive director is different, but organized around convening and connecting people both internally and externally for the purpose of advancing the Red Cross mission. A day might include meetings with board members, community partners, internal Red Crossers, elected officials or even the media. The Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska Chapter currently includes 29 counties across 3 states; so at times I am a road warrior.

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: My first official Red Cross position was as a volunteer CPR & first aid instructor (1992) with the Hawkeye Chapter in Waterloo, Iowa. In 1995, I joined the North Central Iowa Chapter as the Health and Safety Services Director. Five years later, I moved to Western Iowa where I joined the Siouxland Area Chapter, now known as the Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska Chapter. I was also a fundraiser and managed community relations before taking on the role of executive director 18 years ago.

Q: What do you like about your work?

A: I love working with the people that put the mission into action -- the workforce that delivers the services, leadership volunteers who advise and advocate and the community partners that both support and amplify the work. I get excited about leveraging opportunities.

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

A: It depends on my work location. Most often I turn on podcasts or streamed content related to the Red Cross, leadership, social issues or personal/professional development. Sometimes I run through the gamete of music genres from classical to classic rock.

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

A: I live in Le Mars, Iowa, known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World because it is the home of Wells Enterprises, maker of Blue Bunny ice cream. The town of 10,000 hosts community events throughout the year and has a small town feel, though by Midwest standards is not a small town. There is a strong faith-based culture, as well as many opportunities for arts and music

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

A: My husband and I are very close to being empty nesters with kids aged 18 – 22. We spend most of our time immersed in activities supporting our kids and community. I enjoy any opportunity to get away for a few days. Places with sand and sun rank high for preferred destinations.

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

A: I have been most surprised at the steadfast bonds forged during a disaster response.  Connections form among the Red Cross workforce and with others in the community where you serve. A different kind of affinity develops for the people and places where you immerse yourself during a response.

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

A: Many years ago, I received a phone call from the mother of a student I’d had in a babysitter’s training course several months earlier. Her daughter had used skills she learned in the babysitter’s training class to save the life of a younger neighbor boy who was at their home after school while all adults were still working. The mother’s gratitude has stuck with me, and it was not just to me as the instructor, but the Red Cross for providing the training. That one trained babysitter was the difference between tragedy and the opportunity for another day.