Matthew Henkes is the Vice President of Grants and Initiatives at the Iowa West Foundation. He talks about a life spent exploring the tensions between human connection and achievement. Raised in California, Henkes studied and worked across the world on various philanthropic and community aid projects. He then made the choice to move to Council Bluffs to work on supporting others in making a positive impact on the community and, as it transpires, on himself too.

Matthew Henkes's goal at the Iowa West Foundation is to ensure that every outgoing dollar not only furthers the foundation’s goals of well-being, belonging, opportunity, and financial stability but also makes a lasting impact on the community. His journey in philanthropy began at Chemonics International, a global professional services firm, working on a variety of projects, such as an economic development program in Asia and the Middle East, and an environmental grant program covering a three-country area in Southern Africa. Henkes earned a MPA in nonprofit management from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and an MA in international economics and conflict management from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Henkes moved to the Omaha/Council Bluffs area in 2014, where he lives with his wife and son.