Becoming development director for Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks was not a quirk of chance for Stephanie Lutes.
Lutes was 12 when her mother died of the disease, so the opportunity to join BCFO last year was a natural fit and has allowed her to apply personal experience to help other families fighting breast cancer.
Lutes created the Children's Fund annual campaign during her first year with BCFO, raising $10,000 to help parents going through cancer treatments give their children a positive Christmas experience.
"Many of these families only had this one Christmas left," Lutes says.
"I vividly remember being 12 years old and celebrating my last Christmas with my mom," she added.
"I knew we had to make Christmas special for these children."
Lutes' foray into nonprofit work wasn't planned, although she began learning leadership as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha at Drury University, where she served as president of her chapter and the Panhellenic Council.
It wasn't until two years after graduation that Lutes determined human services was her niche.
That realization led Lutes to Ozarks Community Action Corp.'s Head Start Program, where she stayed eight years, working with more than 400 low-income families at 10 Head Start centers.
She also became the program's first parent involvement specialist working with both family advocates and parents.
Lutes also worked for The Arc of the Ozarks as director of development for four years.
Arc of the Ozarks was at the beginning of fundraising when Lutes joined, and during her time there, she grew those efforts to more than $350,000 in 2007, from $60,000 in 2004.
As Lutes continues her development efforts at BCFO, she also indulges her passion for teaching through adjunct positions at Missouri State University and University of Phoenix.
Having earned a master's degree from Drury University in 2004, she anticipates someday pursuing a doctorate so she can teach full time.
Outside her work, Lutes' community involvement ranges from the American Cancer Society to the Association for Fundraising Professionals as well as various committees and fundraisers.
"I have been able to help low-income families, children, individuals with disabilities and families facing a life-threatening illness," she says.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
