Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser

Joyce Chapman

Nominated by Habitat for Humanity 

Joyce Chapman is a compassionate leader, lifelong Iowan, and role model to women. Her service and philanthropy to organizations such as the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Jester Park Nature Center, On With Life, Des Moines Area Community College, Central Iowa Water Trails, Winefest Des Moines, and Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, among many others, have distinguished her as a community leader. 

In 2001, Chapman helped establish the United Way of Central Iowa’s Women’s Leadership Connection – now known as Women United – to bring together the philanthropic passions and resources of women throughout the region. It has since raised more than $20 million. She is also a founding member of the Nexus Executive Women’s Alliance, which works to connect and support women leaders. Her proudest philanthropic accomplishment, she says, is a $2 million matching fund campaign to create the Jester Park Nature Center.

Chapman’s legacy of leadership starts at WestBank, where she spent 46 years of her 55-year banking career and became the bank’s first female executive vice president. Today, thanks in large part to her leadership, half the company’s officers are women. During her tenure Chapman also established the West Bancorporation Foundation, which provides grants to charitable organizations.

Among Chapman’s previous honors are selection as a 2001 Des Moines Business Record “Woman of Influence,” induction into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015, recognition as one of dsm Magazine’s 2017 “Sages Over 70,” and the Young Women’s Resource Center 2018 Certificate of Strength.