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Cherian Koshy

Director of Development

Des Moines Performing Arts

Cherian Koshy is a Certified Fundraising Executive and AFP Master Trainer with more than fifteen years of experience in a variety of non­profits where he has successfully helped organizations connect thousands of donors to causes they care about and raise tens of millions of dollars from foundations, governments, businesses, and individuals in the process. He serves as the Director of Development at Des Moines Performing Arts, one of the nation's premier arts organizations. As a member of the advisory panel for Rogare: The Fundraising Think Tank at the University of Plymouth, he has written a number of articles and contributed to a number of papers on fundraising ethics, professional development, and philanthropy in the US. He has been appointed by the governor to Iowa’s Commission on Volunteer Service where he helps advance legislation to support volunteerism and engage Iowans in volunteer activity.  Nationally, he serves as a member of Association of Fundraising Professionals External Relations Committee as well as a regular presenter at the AFP International Conference and regional workshops on fundraising. Cherian was also one of the most successful debating coaches in the United States. His students won dozens of national and international championships. He is the author of one of the most widely used debating textbooks currently used and has taught thousands of students over the last twenty years.

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Sarah Stephany

Associate Director

EDEN+ Fundraising Consulting

After her year abroad in Germany, Sarah began working at EDEN+ Fundraising Consulting to serve influential organizations by delivering fundraising results. Sarah aims to provide expertise and direct support at the juncture of fundraising and strategic planning. Combining her curiosity for culture, social justice, and philanthropy, Sarah has an international collection of professional experiences. She has served in multiple organizations throughout Haiti, Spain, Malawi, and Germany. During her Bachelor’s at the University of Northern Iowa, she devoted two years to working with English-language learners, independently recruiting, training, and managing a database of volunteers and international students, while facilitating intercultural relationships.

Back home in Iowa, Sarah has managed a variety of campaigns. From student-led initiatives at the University of Northern Iowa’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, to a creating a grassroots campaign plan for her childhood church community, Sarah has seen the commitment it takes to organize an effective fundraising team. Most recently, Sarah completed a feasibility study and campaign for $500,000 in debt reduction and capital needs in Perry, Iowa. Currently, Sarah lives in Des Moines.

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Tyler Timko

Senior Consultant

EDEN+ Fundraising Consulting

Tyler’s fundraising career spans 10 years, and started with managing the Telefund program at the University of Iowa, where he worked as a student. After successfully raising over $2.5 million in his two-year tenure managing Telefund, Tyler moved to a major gift officer role with the Tippie College of Business at Iowa, where he was responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts to support scholarships, faculty, and programs at the college.

A desire to drive change at a more strategic level led Tyler to pursue his MBA at Indiana University, concentrating on data analytics and social entrepreneurship, as well as philanthropic efforts by leading his class giving campaign and serving as a senior fellow with The Chicago Public Education Fund. Since completing his MBA in 2015, Tyler has consulted for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including leading feasibility studies, capital campaigns, and development audits. He serves on the board for the Central Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and earned his CFRE in 2019.


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Eric Heininger

Managing Director

EDEN+ Fundraising Consulting

Eric is inspired by people who, when given the opportunity, thrive and contribute back to the community that has served them. Whether that opportunity is safe shelter, educational assistance, or community health services, he has seen the lasting impact these interventions can have on one’s life. Eric is honored to partner with talented leaders and organizations to elevate their missions and ultimately serve the community through strategic, passion-driven endeavors.

Eric brings more than a decade of fundraising experience to Des Moines. He has worked in multiple sectors of the nonprofit community including religious, national and international social service, human rights, cultural, education, and health agencies. Eric has successfully conducted capital campaigns and feasibility studies across the country, managed large portfolios of grants at every level, created corporate sponsorship plans, implemented volunteer recruitment strategies, and coordinated individual major gift fundraising efforts.

As the Managing Director of EDEN+ Fundraising he serves clients across the region while managing a team of experts across the nation.