Staff
Ryan Bobst, Executive Director
Ryan grew up in Park View, Iowa, north of the Quad Cities. Ryan received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa and has more than 10 years of experience serving nonprofits in leadership capacities. Ryan is an anti-poverty advocate, including past efforts in affordable housing, early childhood education, and job training. Ryan was an Adjunct Instructor with the University of Iowa School of Social Work, and taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses. Ryan connects with the Pantry’s mission and is excited to serve as a neighbor helping neighbors. Ryan lives in Iowa City with his wife, daughter, and son. Ryan can be reached at ryan.bobst@northlibertycommunitypantry.org.
Leslie Alvarez, Director of Operations
Leslie grew up in Cedar Rapids and went to Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. She lives here in North Liberty with her husband, son, and dog. Leslie comes to us from the Credit Union industry where she was responsible for going out into communities across Iowa and teaching financial wellness. Her passions lie in people helping people. In her free time, Leslie likes to be with her family and friends by being outdoors either camping, hiking or boating. She is looking forward to working with the team to continue to grow the services offered by the Pantry to meet the needs of our community. Leslie can be reached via email at leslie.alvarez@northlibertycommunitypantry.org.
Casey Gaylord, Volunteer Coordinator 
Casey is originally from Davenport, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Communication Studies. While in college, he was a member of the Hawkeye Marching Band, playing on the drumline, and was also in the pep band, playing at Hawkeye basketball games. He even performed at the Rose Bowl in 2015.
Casey found his passion for supporting those facing food insecurity while volunteering with a food pantry at his church while serving as a youth pastor. Mainly doing deliveries, he was able to build meaningful relationships with families in his community, meet them where they were at, support and care for them unconditionally. Casey is extremely excited to continue building upon his passion for people at the North Liberty Community Pantry!
In his free time, Casey enjoys cheering on the Hawkeyes, playing drums or guitar, and volleyball. He is excited to meet new members of the community and support all of our volunteers! He can be reached at volunteer@northlibertycommunitypantry.org.
Anne Miller, Special Projects Coordinator
Anne grew up in Lisbon, Iowa, and studied English and Journalism at the University of Iowa before moving to southwest Florida to work at a newspaper. Her time in journalism covering justice issues affecting underprivileged populations led to her passion for helping others and working for more equitable communities. Anne returned to Iowa after receiving her Master’s of Divinity from Duke University in North Carolina. During her M.Div program, she held diverse positions, including working at a supportive living home for formerly incarcerated men, providing spiritual care to patients at a mental and behavioral health facility, and leading kids in creation care and gardening activities at a camp and retreat center. Anne enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, and creative writing. She’s excited to connect with families and expand hands-on learning opportunities in the Growing Together Garden. Anne can be reached at anne.miller@northlibertycommunitypantry.org.
Laurel Hibbard, Marketing & Development Coordinator
Iowa born and raised, Laurel grew up in central Iowa and has been in the Iowa City and North Liberty area since college. Laurel graduated from Wartburg College with Communications majors in Journalism and Public Relations. She has a heart for helping others, which is reflected in her professional and personal life. Her career has been exclusively with development and marketing. She also held various positions at the University of Iowa Foundation for many years, with the majority of her time spent on the fundraising team for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Laurel also serves as the Social Media and Web Manager for a local church and participates in fundraising events for multiple health organizations.
Outside of work, Laurel enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, listening to live music, and enjoying the outdoors. Laurel appreciates the opportunity to connect with others and serve neighbors in her community through this position. Reach out to her at laurel.hibbard@northlibertycommunitypantry.org.
Rae Mosier, Family Service Coordinator
Rae is often the first face you’ll see at the Pantry, welcoming families at the front desk. Rae started
at the Pantry as a volunteer in 2015, and joined staff in 2021 as a Pantry Services Leader. She is a self-proclaimed Data Nerd and the Pantry’s go-to for reports and data. She attended Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa where she earned her Associates of Applied Science in Computer Programming and Systems Analysis.
Rae loves volunteering at the front desk and getting to know Pantry families. In her time away from the Pantry, she loves biking, travel, reading, and spending time with her family and fur babies. Rae can be reached via email at rae.mosier@northlibertycommunitypantry.org.
Grace Katzer, Pantry Shift Lead (Saturdays) 
Originally from Northwest Iowa, Grace now lives in Iowa City and is a journalism student at the University of Iowa. Prior to her role as Pantry Shift Lead, Grace served as an AmeriCorps Member from 2022-23, where she managed the pantry’s grocery delivery program. During her AmeriCorps service, Grace also served on the AmeriCorps State Leadership Council providing on-the-ground insight to state leaders. Grace is also a communications intern with Global Food Project in Iowa City, an organization that provides gardening space to immigrant families in Johnson County. She is also a politics reporter with The Daily Iowan and has worked for Iowa Starting Line and the Spencer Daily Reporter.
When she’s not working, Grace loves watching sitcoms, eating ice cream, and spending time with friends and family. Reach Grace at grace.katzer@northlibertycommunitypantry.org
Our Interns
Aubrey Dallner, Marketing Intern
As the oldest child from a military family, Aubrey has lived a traveler’s life. Nearly 10 years ago, her parents decided to retire in North Liberty, where she attended the University of Iowa as an undergrad. She has recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and is working with the North Liberty Community Pantry on their Capital Campaign. When not at work, she enjoys doing crafty things like cooking or crafting and planning trips with her partner, but she’s always looking for more to do. Two of her greatest loves are her cats, Thomas and Dandy. Aubrey can be reached at aubrey.dallner@northlibertycommunitypantry.org
Varinia Peralta, University of Iowa School of Social Work Intern
Varinia was born in Quito, Ecuador and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. She lived in Chicago, Illinois for several years and then moved to Waukee Iowa where she got her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She hopes to provide services for families in the future and looks forward to learning more about food scarcity at the pantry. When she’s not at school, Varinia likes to play board games, watch romantic comedy movies, and spend time with her goldendoodle. Varinia can be reached at Varinia.peralta@northlibertycommunitypantry.org
Makennah Devore, University of Iowa School of Social Work Intern
Makennah grew up in the Quad Cities and moved to Iowa City for her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa. She is now in her first year of the MSW program at the University of Iowa. Makennah is driven by her need to help others and hopes that will be reflected in her work with vulnerable populations after she graduates. Makennah previously volunteered at Oaknoll Retirement Residence to support residents with dementia. In her free time, Makennah enjoys curling up on the couch to read, taking walks outside when the weather is nice, and watching television and movies, particularly cooking shows. Reach Makennah at makennah.devore@northlibertycommunitypantry.org
Board of Directors
Allison Bates, Past Chair – Capital Campaign Committee
Abdouramane Bila, Treasurer – Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Building Committee
Judy Bornkessel – Fundraising & Marketing Committee, Volunteer Support Committee
Beau Brown – Building Committee
Britta Cavinder – Garden Committee
Samantha Fordyce, Vice Chair – Executive Committee, Fundraising & Marketing Committee
Micah Ariel James, Board Chair – Executive Committee
Jon Maakestad – Operations Committee, Church Relations Committee
Lauren McDonald, Recorder – Executive Committee, Volunteer Support Committee
Judy McRoberts – Building Committee
Lori Meyer – Fundraising & Marketing Committee
Jason Mosier – Operations Committee
Erek Sittig – Volunteer Support Committee, Building Committee
Midora Slaughter – Fundraising & Marketing Committee
Interested in joining our Board? Read more about the position and submit an application!
northlibertycommunitypantry.org 