Maggie DeWitte
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Maggie DeWitte has served as the Executive Director of Pulse (Iowans for LIFE) since 2010. Prior to her role as Executive Director, she served on the Board of Directors for two years. Previous work experience includes the Adoption Coordinator for Catholic Charities and Respect Life Contact for the Diocese of Des Moines from 2000-2010. DeWitte has worked as a family counselor for children at risk of being removed by the State, an Independent Living Counselor for teenagers aging out of the foster care system, taught Life Skills to court ordered adolescents, a specialized case manager for the foster care system in Illinois, and a counselor at a group home. DeWitte has 25 years of experience working in various social service positions throughout her career. The common thread is working on behalf of those most vulnerable.
Ms. DeWitte is married and has four children. They attend (have attended) Dowling Catholic High School and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. She is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and serves on the Respect Life Committee, and the Adoration Committee.
Sarah Schiltz
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Sarah Schiltz is a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church where she converted to Catholicism in 2007. With her Christian foundation, the Catholic sacraments have brought her closer to the Trinity.
Her joy is her four children and husband. They are easily the most beautiful miracles she’s experienced, and she’s grateful God chose motherhood for her.
The last decade was dedicated to being a stay at home wife and mother. While at home she found time to attend bible studies and volunteer. Prior, she worked in the corporate world and in advertising. Sarah was born and raised on a Century Farm in Southwest Iowa. She attended college in Des Moines and after graduating she made the Metro her home.
Photography, art, sports and all things family are some of her favorite things. She continues to volunteer in the community and currently helps with Night Fire Concerts social media and photography.
Sarah has gone on the March for Life pilgrimage with her two oldest kids three times and plans to also take her younger two in the future. Each trip brings new insight and inspiration. God’s love and His miracles are greater than circumstance. The Blessed Virgin Mary showed us the way with her selfless yes. A comforting scripture of Sarah’s is Psalm 139.
Meet IFL Board of Directors
Thank you to our board members who actively give their lives in defense of the unborn and defenseless.
Tom Quiner
BOARD PRESIDENT
Tom has been married for 43 years to his wife Karen and have three grown children and two grandchildren. Together they own and operate Breakthrough Marketing. Tom converted to Catholicism in 1981 and attends Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Tom and Karen share two passions, their faith and the pro-life cause. They also have a ministry they call Evangelization through Entertainment and have produced ten musicals and shows.
Tom believes the pro-life cause is the preeminent issue of the day and the most powerful one for bringing people to Christ. It has been Tom's honor to serve on the board since 2015 and board president since 2018.
Ryan Parlee
VICE PRESIDENT
Ryan Parlee is local business owner and father of 8. His oldest son just graduated high school and his youngest son is about to start kindergarten. He likes to read books, ride bikes, play games, and otherwise run around after his kids. He attends Saylorville Church and has been a life long pro-life supporter.
Jean Smith
SECRETARY
I am a cradle Catholic and have been married to my husband Terry for over 40 years. We have three grown children and two grandchildren.
I am a retired Laboratory Supervisor for UnityPoint Hospital. I am a Medical Technologist and I have a Master’s degree in Leadership from Grandview University.
We are parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. I have been involved in many ministries including; Stephen’s Ministry, Christ Renews His Parish, Worship and Spirituality, Peace and Justice, Marriage Encounter, the Respect Life Committee and I taught Religious Education. I volunteer as a receptionist for Inner Visions Health Clinic. My husband and I have been involved in Christian Family Movement and were on the National Board.
I know that every child is created by God and is precious in His eyes. I became pro-life in high school and my convictions have been strengthened thoughout the years. I feel a call from God to work for His glory. It is an honor to work on the Iowans For LIFE board. “Rejoice in the Lord always” Phil 4:4
Kim Grzywacz
TREASURER
Kim Grzywacz works alongside her husband at their company, CIT Signature Transportation. She began this role in 2012 after 18 years as an elementary teacher. You never know where life is going to lead you, and this path is a blessing she would not have predicted. Kim has served/is serving on the following boards: Motorcoach Marketing Council, Women in Buses Council (currently past chair), American Bus Association, FIRE Foundation for Northeast Iowa (secretary), and Iowa Group Travel Association (treasurer). Together, John and Kim have 5 children ages 26 to 10 years old. Kim is a lector at St. Thomas Aquinas church in Ames, Iowa, and feels blessed by the Holy Spirit when she proclaims God's word.
Jeff Pierick
BOARD MEMBER
Jeff has been married to his wife Karen for 33 years. They have 7 children and two grandchildren. They are active members of St. Augustin Catholic Church.
Jeff is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and the Advocate for the St. Augustin Council. He is also a member of the Serra Club, Lawyers for Life, and several other Catholic groups. Jeff and Karen are a sponsor couple for marriage prep.
He and several of his children have attended the March for Life in D.C. for the last 11 years. Jeff attends various pro-life events in the DSM area.
Jeff has been an attorney for 32 years working for various financial services companies as an in-house counsel.
Whitney Smith McIntosh
BOARD MEMBER
Whitney is a transplant from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and moved to Iowa in 2005 with her three-year-old son Gabriel. Whitney has been married for 10 years to her husband Rick McIntosh and is a stepmother to Rachael (23) and Isaac (20) and son Gabriel (10).
Whitney has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Psychology and has been working in various positions using her psychology of organizational leadership skills for the past 15 years. She is now working on a second master’s degree in Clinical mental health counseling.
Whitney is a cradle Catholic and has always been pro-life but didn't become a full-blown pro-life advocate until the pregnancy and birth of her son. She especially advocates for those people in an unplanned pregnancy with little support.
Garland Dahlke
BOARD MEMBER
A member of Iowans for Life Board of directors since 2004
It all started in central Wisconsin as an 8 year old with the realization that abortion is murder followed by a debate prior to the 1976 presidential election with the neighbor kids regarding why a presidential candidate and a political party that would support abortion is not in the best interest of the country. Fast forward 40+ years and many more confrontations, Garland now lives in Ames, Iowa with his wife Bethany and when not doing the normal day job is an advisor to the Iowa State University Students for Life group at Iowa State University.
Steve Tatz
BOARD MEMBER
Stephen Tatz lives in Urbandale with his wife, Lisa. They were married in 1993 and have four children. He has a master’s degree in healthcare administration and extensive not-for-profit experience. An active member of the Catholic Church, he serves as a coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines and is scheduled to be ordained a Permanent Deacon in July 2022. Steve joined Iowans for life in 2001 and served as president 2009 - 2011. He states, “our cause is love for every single person, period.”
Jennifer Hilton
BOARD MEMBER
Jennifer and her husband Tom have been married 28 years, have four children and live in rural Van Meter. They have been St. Francis of Assisi parishioners for 25 years. Jennifer was raised in several Protestant faith traditions and holds dear the Christian roots planted early in her life at a small country Quaker/Society of Friends church. She was later baptized into the Baptist church at age 16, attended Lutheran services while a student at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and later joined St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City.
Strengthened by the religious roots God planted in her as a child, she now embraces and leans upon the traditions of the Catholic faith. She feels it her calling to share the common message of Christ’s love.
She is a busy mother to Jase (age 10), Ellie (age 13), Serena (age 21), and Holly (age 26, married to Steven). She is also a grandmother to Holly and Steven’s precious babies.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from ISU and has been employed for 25 years as a writer and change management leader at a financial services company in WDM. She is a children’s book author, a clarinetist, and a supporter of multiple pro-life organizations. She is honored and excited to be joining the IFL board and looks forward to helping share the message and broaden the support for the life-affirming work of Iowans for LIFE.
Andrew Deick
BOARD MEMBER
Mary Jo Harty
BOARD MEMBER
Haylee Fishburn
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Mark Purtle
BOARD MEMBER
Jackie Carey
BOARD MEMBER
My name is Jackie Carey and I am a member of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny, IA.
My husband Joe and I have been married for 33 years and have 3 adult children and recently welcomed our 1st grandchild who is 4 months old. I am active in our church’s music ministry and enjoy cantoring at Mass while my husband accompanies me on the piano. I am the head of our Right to Life Ministry at OLIH. I enjoy walking, biking and gardening. I recently started working at Bob Brown Buick in Ankeny as a receptionist.
I am excited to be a new member of the Pulse Life Board and look forward to working with this organization to spread the word that life is the greatest gift we are given.