Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers. We are proud to introduce you to the 20th class of Forty Under 40 honorees, chosen by a committee of past honorees. Joseph Peterson Vice President – Donor Engagement and […]
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Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers. We are proud to introduce you to the 20th class of Forty Under 40 honorees, chosen by a committee of past honorees.Joseph Peterson
Joseph Peterson
Vice President - Donor Engagement and Development | United Way of East Central Iowa
Age: 39
Family: Wife, Kelly; son, Finn; cat, Rona
Residence: Marion, Iowa
Hometown: Platteville, Wisconsin
Education: University of Dubuque, University of Wisconsin - Platteville
What was your first job? Milking cows
What do you consider your "big break" in your career, so far? My "big break" was joining the Peace Corps out of college in 2012. It was the Peace Corps network in Cedar Rapids, along with connections to nonprofits through boards and volunteerism, that led me to the United Way of East Central Iowa and into the role I am in today.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? We want to be led, not managed because we want to grow, self-actualize, and make an actual difference, not only within our community and religious groups but also within the workplace. We want purpose and vision, not just a paycheck.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? It is not a question of what I want to accomplish, but what is important. What is important is knowing the person I want to be in my community, my values, and my “why.” As long as those align, I’ll let fate take me where it may. So far, it’s been spot on. Look me up in ten years and we’ll see how it went.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? To make this answer a bit more interesting, outside the obvious answer of I would support the nonprofit for which I work, I would support getting students reading by third grade. In addition to my "daytime job," I am an adjunct professor at the University of Dubuque, and my wife works in the Linn-Mar Community School District as an instructional coach, so education is a topic that is important to me and my family. Why third grade? Because there is a direct correlation between reading at grade level by third grade and future outcomes. If a child can read at grade level by third grade, their chances of educational success vastly improve. And education, in all forms, is key to empowering others so they can succeed.
