Joan Bowles, who has been with the Iowa State Athletics Department for over 30 years, serves as Associate Athletics Director for Development.
Bowles started her fundraising career in the Cyclone Club office in 1989 as a Campaign Coordinator. Through the years she has served as Program Coordinator (1990-93), Assistant Director of Development (1993-95), Director of Annual Giving (1995-96) and Assistant Athletics Director for Annual Giving & Customer Service (1996-02), before being promoted to her current role as Associate Athletics Director for Development in 2002.
Her areas of expertise include annual campaigns, major gifts fundraising, priority seating, premium sales & service, donor engagement, special events management and customer service.
Bowles is responsible for creating a strategic vision for the Cyclone Club and stewardship of its 6,500 members. During Bowles’ tenure, the annual fund has grown from a modest $1.9 million to over $12 million annually. In addition, the development team is responsible for the leasing of 43 football suites, 3,500 club seats and 52 courtside seats that generate over $6 million in annual revenue. She also oversees the cultivation, engagement and stewardship of donors, as well as membership benefits. Bowles has developed long-time relationships with numerous Iowa State families that are now on their third-generation of Cyclone Club members.
She also directs and leads the Premium Services & Special Events unit. These two areas are responsible for the execution of game-day premium operations (suites, Jack Trice Club, Sukup Club and Johnny’s), non game-day event space rentals and special events for Cyclone Club donors and fans.
Bowles is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) and Women Leaders in College Sports.
The St. Peter, Minnesota native earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Early in her career, she directed corporate & private child care centers, as well as educational readiness programs for preschoolers.
Bowles resides in Ames with her husband David. She has two adult sons, Brian, who lives in State Center, and Peter who resides in Ames with his wife Emily and son Bennett.
