Dave Stone currently serves as Advocacy Officer for United Way of Central Iowa. In this role, Stone focuses on government relations and advocacy in advancing the collective goals of United Way and its coalition partners. Stone previously served as Associate Director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, a regional arts, culture, and heritage organization in the region. As a community funder, Stone worked with over 60 organizations in the region to increase sustainability, strategic planning and support innovative collaborations.
Formerly Communications Manager for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in Des Moines, Stone oversaw communications, strategy development and legislative advocacy for Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Prior to his work at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Stone worked as the Director of Grassroots Development and Field Director for Iowans for Sensible Priorities, the federal budget campaign led by Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Stone has also served as District Organizer for congressional candidate Paul Johnson and Field Volunteer Coordinator for presidential candidate Howard Dean.
Stone holds a Master of Public Administration from Drake University in Des Moines and a Bachelor of Political Science from Iowa State University in Ames. He was recognized as a Des Moines Business Record 40 Under 40 in 2021 and is a 2016 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute alum.
In addition to his professional roles, Stone is a local artist in central Iowa primarily focusing on long-exposure photography, nightscapes and astrophotography using a telescope and camera. His work, Silos, was honored with a 2016 Iowa State Fair Photography Salon Honorable Mention ribbon.