Service is a throughline to Luke Lynch’s life, both personally and professionally. He’s worked in the nonprofit and government sectors his entire career.
Relationships and connections matter to Lynch. He believes that sitting down and having conversations, asking questions and looking at different perspectives, goes a long way toward seeing the humanity in others and getting things done in an effective way. He is guided by former Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone’s quote, “We all do better when we all do better.”
Since 2017, Lynch has worked for United Way of Central Iowa, an organization whose role as an important convener of business, government, nonprofits, and individuals is a point of pride for Lynch. Currently, he’s the senior community engagement officer, leading efforts focused on food security, housing, transportation, re-entry, and youth gun violence prevention. He also helps lead United Way’s longstanding relationship with the South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.
He has also represented United Way in partnerships with local government initiatives, including the Des Moines food security task force and the comprehensive plan steering committee for Pleasant Hill, IA.
Before joining United Way, Lynch was the director of development at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. He also held various roles in the Washington, DC, and Dubuque, IA, offices of Senator Tom Harkin, lead sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In his board work, Lynch seeks to see the bigger picture, understand how things fit together, and identify gaps. He enjoys working in collaboration with others to address the gaps and help organizations achieve their missions. In addition to the Northwest Area Foundation board, he serves on the boards of Homeward and Beaverdale Little League in Des Moines, and he recently completed service on the Central Iowa Community Land Trust board.
He earned his bachelor’s in communication studies, political science, and entrepreneurship from the University of Iowa. He’s taking the final steps toward completion of a master’s in public health from Des Moines University in May 2026.
Being out in his community, leisurely reading, and being fully present with his family (including as manager and head coach for his older son’s traveling baseball team) fill Lynch’s “free” time.
