Staff
Matt Unger
Chief Executive Officer
munger (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 217
![Matt Unger](https://www.dmarcunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Matt-Unger_circle-300x300.png)
Matt Unger has been involved in fighting food insecurity for over 10 years including more than 6 years at the Food Bank of Iowa, and the last 3+ as CEO at DMARC. During his tenure at DMARC, Matt led the organization through the global pandemic, not closing their doors a single day due to COVID-19 while seeing incredible growth in the number of people experiencing food insecurity across greater Des Moines. 2022 ushered in the 70th anniversary of the organization and a $5.7 Million capital campaign to remodel and move to a new headquarters. This move increased the capacity of the organization to meet the record-breaking number of individuals receiving assistance across the food pantry network and made it possible for DMARC to open their first on-site food pantry.
Prior to joining the non-profit sector, Matt spent more than a dozen years working in the world of political campaigns and management of state government. His political career spanned multiple Iowa Caucus campaigns, Iowa Gubernatorial campaigns, and a four year stint as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Patty Judge. Judge and Unger then partnered in a consulting firm, PJJ Solutions, where they would focus not just on political campaigns, but business and organizational strategy as well as public policy.
Originally from Wisconsin, Matt, a Drake grad, has called Des Moines home for over twenty years, and lives with his wife, Anita, in Beaverdale.
Leslie L. Garman, CFRE
Director of Development and Outreach
lgarman (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 215
As a heart survivor herself, Leslie spent the majority of her career (nearly two decades) with the American Heart Association. While there, she conducted hundreds of special events, assisting communities as they worked to hold educational and advocacy events. Her most recognizable accomplishment in Des Moines include the creation and founding of the greater Des Moines Heart Ball and Go Red for Women (previously known as Nurturing Women’s Hearts).
Leslie is a graduate of Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa and received her CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) designation in 2013. Today she is active with several organizations, including the Central Iowa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council, the Windsor Heights Foundation, MOIsson , and the Affinity Breakfast Club.
DMARC Food Pantry Network Director since 2012, Ms. Whitlow has over 20 years experience in product merchandising, warehouse operations and distribution of hard goods. She brings substantial skills in inventory and quality controls and expedited transportation and staffing methods that result in cost containment. An expert in building community collaborations and customer relationships, Becky has experience managing $500,000-$1.5 million in product inventory, purchasing, and redistribution operations, and has been instrumental in the design of the new warehouse facility.
With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Marketing and a Sociology minor, she oversees the daily operations of a 14-site food pantry network distribution system serving 54,000 consumers annually, and will be invaluable to the growth of the system. Becky is a gifted speaker and regularly presents to faith, civic and student groups about food access needs in Greater Des Moines, and the work of the food pantry network.
Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott
Coordinator of Interfaith Engagement
stronegarriott (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 222
As an AmeriCorps VISTA working for Northern New Mexico Legal Aid in Gallup, New Mexico, Sarah engaged community and faith leaders around the issue of Domestic Violence. As a hospital chaplain in Philadelphia and Chicago, Sarah supported patients and staff of all religious backgrounds. In parish ministry, first in rural Virginia and later in suburban Des Moines, it was her priority to build relationships beyond the church building and work together with interfaith partners.
Sarah holds a BA in History from the College of St. Scholastica, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and ordination through Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Daniel Beck
Data, Analytics, and Program Coordinator
dbeck (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 218
Daniel has an educational background in nutrition and exercise science, and worked in this field as a nutrition advisor and personal trainer while attending Northwest Mississippi Community College and University of Mississippi. He began work with DMARC shortly after moving back to Iowa, leaving his position as a nutritionist soon after. Daniel is a passionate advocate for communities in need, particularly in the areas of nutrition equity, and medical/mental health access.
In his time away from work Daniel loves cooking (decently), reading, listening to podcasts, playing quite a few sports, exercising, storm watching/chasing, stargazing, and listening to music.
Joe joined the DMARC team in April 2013, and as Operations Manager he oversees different programs within the DMARC Food Pantry Network. Joe helped build the Mobile Food Pantry Program from its infancy. The Mobile Food Pantry Program has more than double in size since 2016. Joe enjoys helping lead DMARC’s frontline programs.
Joe attended Westwood College and Lewis University studying Criminal Justice. Joe relocated to Des Moines in 2012. While never seeing himself as an Iowan in the past Joe is now a proud transplant, with deep roots in Iowa.
Joe enjoys being outside, wandering around the metro thrifting in his time off, along with cooking and watching documentary films.
Luke Elzinga joined DMARC in April of 2014. As Policy & Advocacy Manager, he directs DMARC’s advocacy efforts around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other nutrition and anti-poverty programs on the local, state, and national level.
Luke earned his BA from Iowa State University in 2012. He previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at Montana Legal Services Association in Helena, Montana. Luke is a 2017 fellow of the New Leaders Council Des Moines Chapter and is currently a HealthConnect Fellow with Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. He currently serves on the board of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, and has previously served on the boards of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Des Moines and dsmHack.
In his free time, Luke enjoys cooking, reading, documentary films, board games, and spending time with his wife, daughter, two cats, and dog.
Kelly joined DMARC in April 2023. As Accounting & Office Manager, Kelly is responsible for all accounting and finance administrative duties. Kelly is a lifelong Iowan that lives in Indianola, IA with her family. She has several years of experience in both the insurance industry and general accounting. In her free time, she is a fan of family time – especially enjoying games and movies with her kids.
Carl Evans
Grant Writing and Storytelling Manager
cevans (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 223
Carl grew up in central Iowa farming with his family. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps and served with Echo Company right here in Des Moines when they were deployed to Desert Storm.
He graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Juvenile Justice. Carl has over 20 years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, program development and management, nonprofit management, and board development in the nonprofit sector.
In his free time, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and being in the outdoors hunting, fishing, or riding his motorcycle.
Andrew joined DMARC in November of 2018 as a facilitator of the Mobile Food Pantry program before becoming the DMARC-ket Southside Pantry Manager in Fall of 2022. Andrew graduated in 2022 from Simpson College with a bachelors in Business Management with plans to purse his education further.
In his free time Andrew enjoys cooking, gaming, 3D printing and spending time with his girlfriend, two dogs and five cats (“yes I know that is a lot of pets”).
Sarah McCory
DMARC-ket Food Pantry Associate
smccory (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 225
Sarah joined DMARC in February 2023 becoming the first DMARC-ket Food Pantry Associate. Sarah works with pantry visitors to ensure they receive quality service and support and ensures the DMARC-ket remains fully stocked and ready when patrons arrive.
Amanda Parkins joined DMARC as the Volunteer and Outreach Manger in September 2022. Previously, Amanda has worked in human service positions for 5 years with a variety of experience in family dynamics, dependent adult care, background history, volunteer recruitment, and involvement within the community. Amanda is always open to learning new things, taking on new opportunities and working effectively with diverse populations.
Amanda enjoys traveling to new places and experiencing new environments to make memories with her friends and family. She loves cooking to explore different tastes and to entertain guests over a meal. And she partakes in outdoor activities such as camping and hiking to enjoy natural environments.
Amanda is a graduate of Iowa State University and received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology in 2018. Amanda is very enthusiastic to serve others in her community and enjoys taking initiative in helping others.
Michelle Chumbley
Warehouse Associate
mchumbley (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 226
![Michelle Chumbley](https://www.dmarcunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Michelle-Chumbley_circle.png)
Blake Willadsen
Marketing & Communications Manager
bwilladsen (at) dmarcunited.org
(515) 277-6969 x 227
Blake Willadsen joined DMARC in January of 2023. As Marketing & Communications Manager, he directs DMARC’s communications efforts for all external audiences and ensures that DMARC is seen as the first call in the public conversation around food insecurity in the Des Moines Metro.
Blake graduated from Simpson College in 2017 with a degree in Marketing and has assisted in different capacities at the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department and most recently Iowa Homeless Youth Centers – A YSS Community Organization.
Blake is a lifelong Iowan and media nerd. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife Hannah, dog Winston, and growing family. You might also spot Blake training year-round for his next marathon on the roads and trails of Des Moines.
Patrick Minor
Mobile Food Pantry Associate
pminor (at) dmarcunited.org
![](https://www.dmarcunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/PatrickMinor-300x300.png)
Dennis Minarich
Warehouse Associate
![](https://www.dmarcunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dennis-bubble.png)
Meronica Breedlove
Warehouse & Food Pantry Associate
![](https://www.dmarcunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ronnie.png)
Dellen Burk-Flores is DMARC’s newest development associate. Her first time volunteering to alleviate food insecurity was when she was five years old and her parents brought her to SDA Van Ministry. Seeing firsthand how genuinely grateful individuals were to receive food inspired her to stay involved, and later take on additional responsibilities. By the time she graduated from high school, she had logged over 6,000 volunteer hours.
Prior to joining DMARC, Dellen worked for the Friends of Iowa PBS Foundation, where she managed a portfolio of over 21,000 sustainers with a strong emphasis on donor retention and increasing member contributions to support Iowa PBS. Dellen is passionate about helping nonprofits thrive through the power of digital fundraising. Before rejoining the nonprofit sector, Dellen was a traveling school, sports, and commencements photographer, the community and social media manager at a small global game development company, the service training coordinator for eight different restaurant concepts, and an international acolyte/copywriter/editor for a private fidelity investment firm… among other things.
Dellen (Debbie Ellen) earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies with minors in history, journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University in 2017. During undergrad, she was a member of the Iota Sigma chapter of AOII where she held numerous positions. In 2023, she completed the PBS Data Literacy Bootcamp and also earned a certificate from MIT xPro in planning for digital transformation. Dellen currently serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Central Iowa Chapter where she is the membership and communications chair, the board of dsmHack where she spearheads event marketing and recruitment, and also Social Media Club Global where she’s a growth strategy advisor.
Outside of professional development, you’ll find her spending quality time with her hubby, kiddo, friends, and extended family. She loves reading, writing, cooking, tending to her gardens, arranging flower bouquets, gravitating towards as many pools as possible, and spending way too much time in arcades attempting to defeat a 7-year-old.