Leadership Team
Leon Negen
Chief Executive OfficerLeon has more than 40 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector and has served as the CEO of Bethel Mission and Hope Ministries for the past three decades. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Calvin College and a Master’s degree in rehabilitation administration from the University of San Francisco.
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Leon and his wife Melanie have been married for 43 years and have three grown children and five grandchildren.
“God has created each of us in His image, and he has a plan and a purpose for every individual. I count it a privilege to serve those who are homeless, hungry and hurting each day – helping each one to discover God’s special plan for their lives.” –Leon
Cole Lindholm
PresidentCole has been with the organization since 2000, which was just before Hope Ministries was formed, starting as the Program Director at the Door of Faith Mission. Cole then served 10 years as the Director of Men’s Ministries and in 2010 he transitioned to a new area of need due to growth of the ministry, that of Director of Human Resources and Community Outreach. While in this position, Cole directed the organization’s human resource function, its social enterprise efforts within Hope Ministries Thrift Stores, along with the oversight and development of Hope Ministries outreach initiatives, both within its facilities and throughout the community. In July of 2023, Cole was appointed to the role of President where he leads and manages all areas of internal operations for the organization.
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Cole has a Master of Business Administration degree from Drake University, a Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader designation from the Christian Leadership Alliance, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. He and his wife, Stacy reside in Urbandale and are involved in leadership and ministry at their church home, The Mission Church in Urbandale. They have been married for 26 years and have two grown children, Brennan and Aaron.
“Valuing people is one of our core values here at Hope Ministries. I am blessed to be able to lead our efforts at finding those with similar value systems, imparting our culture, and equipping them both individually and within teams to carry out this core value with all those that our ministry touches week-in and week-out for the glory of God.” –Cole
Kathy Coady
Chief Development OfficerKathy joined Hope Ministries to lead the Development team in 2014, after more than two decades working in corporate communications, public relations and marketing communications. She has a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications from Truman State University, and a master’s in communication leadership from Drake University.
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Kathy and her husband, Terry, have been married for 31 years and have a daughter and son. They live in Ankeny and worship at Prairie Ridge Church. Kathy is also a board member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines.
“I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to help connect God’s people with God’s work to lift up men, women and children in our community who are homeless or in need of hope. As Isaiah 40:31 tells us, ‘Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’” –Kathy
Keith Isley
Chief Operations OfficerKeith has been involved with Hope Ministries for 15 years, 10 of those years as Director of Operations. Keith currently leads the areas of finance, facilities and information technology for Hope Ministries.
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Keith has a B.A. degree in English and writing from Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, IN). Before joining Bethel Mission in 1999 as director of development, he spent more than 10 years as a journalist, editor and publisher, winning several statewide writing awards. His wife, Sharon, is an ordained minister and has pastored several churches in rural Iowa. They have three children.
“There’s something very special about investing in the lives of those who need God’s love. I feel privileged to be able to use my gifts to help others who are hurting. It’s an amazing way to get out of bed every day—knowing I can make a difference.” –Keith
Dwight Long
Director of Men's MinistriesDwight returned to Iowa after living and working in Ohio for 25 years. After graduating with an Industrial Engineering degree from Iowa State University, Dwight worked for the automotive industry for Delphi Packard Electric for 16 years. God then got a better hold on him when he went to work as a teacher and then administrator for Warren Christian School. Dwight obtained his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through Jones International University out of Colorado.
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Dwight and his wife Lynn reside in Grimes. They worship at Lakeside Fellowship in Polk City. Their son Justin, his wife Kaeleigh and daughter Cora reside in Grimes and their daughter Megan and son-in-law Joey reside in Dallas Center with their four children.
“I can’t believe God has blessed me to be a part of this great ministry! One of our main focus verses is John 13:34: ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ ” –Dwight
Elizabeth Spragg
Director of Women and Children's MinistriesElizabeth was called on a faith journey at the end of 2001, which entailed a move back to Des Moines after an absence of nearly 15 years and a move out of Corporate America into ministry. She joined the Hope Ministries Team in September 2005 after having served at Good Samaritan Urban Ministries in the area of resource development and church relations for three-and-a-half years and as interim director for a time. As the director of Hope Center for Women and Children, Elizabeth and her staff work with single women and mothers with children to offer hope and a new beginning.
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Elizabeth has a Bachelors of Arts in French and a broad corporate professional experience having worked for the French government in New York City, and in Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics and a Christian public relations firm. She resides in Mitchellville and is an active member at Adventure-Life Church in Altoona, where she serves on the worship team.
“I desire that every mother and child who enters our doors sees the Lord’s purpose come alive in their lives as declared in Jeremiah 29:11-14. May His plan to give them a hope and a prosperous future be fulfilled as they progress towards healing, growth, stability and a relationship with Jesus Christ.” – Elizabeth
Board of Directors
Jennifer Canelos
Chair
Director of Marketing, South Story Bank and Trust
Tim Meline
Vice-Chair
Iowa Realty—Retired
Warren M. Dobbertin
Treasurer
The Waldinger Corporation—Retired
Kim Smith
Secretary
Owner, K. L. Smith, P.C.
Jason Brown
Director of Advisor Success, Foster Group
Alan Gross
CEO, Iowa State Bank—Retired
Ray Lorenz
President, Lorenz and Jones—Retired
Michael Miesen
Bratney Companies, Chief Financial Officer
Andy Moffitt
Vice President of Real Estate Development, Ryan Companies
Doug Siedenburg (at-large)
Principal, The Siedenburg Group
Janan Smith
Community Health Development Consultant—Retired
Our Finances
Hope Ministries is a privately funded, non-denominational, 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. We rely solely on the generosity of individuals, businesses, churches, foundations, and a variety of civic, social and community organizations for support. We choose not to accept funds that could compromise our Christ-centered mission.
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