Jen (Lickteig) Cross, ’11

Jen Cross is the VP of Donor Relations at the Great Outdoors Foundation assisting in fundraising projects throughout Central Iowa, including ICON Water Trails, which will encompass over 150 miles of water trails and 80+ amenities, with a goal of $125 million between public and private dollars. Cross also works with Polk County Conservation, local jurisdictions and provides general fundraising support for Great Outdoors Foundation. Through fundraising efforts, she will broaden and deepen the impact of conservation and outdoor recreation in Iowa.

Cross comes to the Great Outdoors Foundation from Catch Des Moines, where she served as the Director of Development and Partnerships since 2014. Cross built Catch Des Moines’ Investment Campaign program and was the creative mind behind Brew Moines, a brewery passport app. Cross brings over 8 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, sponsorships and marketing. She prides herself on being a “relationship maker.”

Cross is a Business Record Forty Under 40 (2021) and is a graduate of the Community Leadership Program, Class of 2019, through the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. She believes it is one’s civic duty to give back to the community and models this believe through numerous boards and committees. Cross is the Chair of the John Stoddard Cancer Center Advisory Board, a co-chair for the 2020 Rally Against Cancer, Winefest Grand-Cru and sits on the St. Ambrose University Alumni Communications Council.

Cross spends her free time biking, boating and is a football and basketball season ticket holder for Iowa State University and continually cultivating relationships in the Greater Des Moines Metro.

Cross graduated from St. Ambrose University as a student-athlete with two Bachelor’s degrees in PR & Strategic Communication and Radio/TV Production. She and her husband, Kye, reside in Ankeny with their son, Brixton (1) and their pup Sadie.