Below is the executive team and some of the leaders of different functions within Mary’s Helping Hands.

Lauren Burke is the Founder of Mary’s Helping Hands.

Background
She is a native southerner now residing in West Des Moines, Iowa with her husband, Brendan and 4 children. Lauren graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree and also represented FSU as a D1 Swimmer. Lauren currently works full-time supporting the Dept. of Defense as a Principal Recruiter within Talent Strategy and is also the Executive Director of Mary's Helping Hands, which she founded in Feb 2021.
Lauren never imagined she would be running a nonprofit, but believes that when you trust something greater than yourself and have faith that you are being assisted in your journey, God will do amazing things.
Personality
Ambitious, spirited, kind, competitive and loving.
When she isn’t at MHH, she enjoys spending time with her family, coaching the local Catholic High School girls swim team, cooking, attending her children's activities/sports, church and doing yard work with her family.

Carissa is responsible for volunteer scheduling and communication, as well as being Lauren’s right hand lady with various organization needs.

Carissa graduated from Kirkwood Community College with an A.A.S. in Veterinary Technician. I worked as a Vet Tech for 9 years before leaving to become a stay at home mom. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Lauren since she approached me about her idea for Mary’s Helping Hands. Together I feel we have made a huge impact in our community serving several mothers & children in need of the most basic necessities for pregnancy and baby’s first couple of years. I love being able to help so many families not only in our community but in the state of Iowa as well.
When I’m not working at MMH you can find me with my family. We love to play board & card games, spend time outside, read books together, and spend time with our family & friends.

Dan helps provide the board, leaders and the organization with discernment within our decision making process.

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Mary assists in tracking inventory for all donations and is a regular volunteer.

In addition to helping the Inventory team, I enjoy meeting with the expectant mothers, working with the health staff from the agencies, shopping the orders and sorting donations. There have also been recent opportunities to buy clothes and hygiene items as part of the inventory team.
I worked in home health care nursing for 42 years. I am a graduate of University of Iowa College of Nursing. Earlier in my nursing career, I worked as a visiting nurse seeing pregnant moms and their babies. I worked at well baby clinics and was in contact with many of the same agencies that Mary's Helping Hands coordinate services with to meet their needs. For twelve years, I have volunteered as a visitor to hospice patients. This ministry is also very dear to my heart. I am an active member of St. Vincent de Paul and Sacred Heart Women's Guild.
I am married. My husband Tom and I enjoy playing pickleball. We look forward to traveling again in the future. I am mother to 3 daughters and grandmother to 3 grandsons. I love being retired and having more time to spend with family and friends. Mary's Helping Hands is not just an activity for me, it's a ministry. We pray for the families we serve. I have made several new friends with this awesome team.

Robin assists in tracking inventory for all donations and is a regular volunteer.

Shelby manages our day-to-day client operations, helping connect our moms in needs with the services they require.

My name is Shelby Lane and I am a native Iowan with a passion for serving God and others. The mission of MHH is so important and I am very proud to be a part of it.
I have an associate’s degree from Des Moines Area Community College in Fashion and Design and a certificate in Photography.
As a creative person, you can find me doing DIY projects or behind my camera when not working. I also love to spend time with my family and my dog at Clear Lake in northern Iowa.

Want to get involved, too? We always need volunteers!

Contact us to let us know how you would like to get involved!