In the heart of Central Iowa, UNITY is rising! Join Many Hands and a wave of inspirational supporters for a morning brimming with food, camaraderie and the power of coming together. As our world struggles to find common ground, we’ll look into the transformative strength of Unity – in our workplaces, houses of worship, and the very fabric of our culture. Imagine the possibilities when hearts and minds align!

An Emmy-nominated and award-winning journalist and current news anchor for KCCI-TV 8 news, Jodi Long finds great importance in giving back to the community that gave her so much during her formative years. A graduate of Ankeny High School, the ability to work in Central Iowa has provided Jodi with valuable connections and relationships. She has worked on television in central Iowa for more than a decade covering some of the state’s biggest stories. She never takes for granted the people willing to share their most important, impactful and vulnerable moments with her. Long’s stories are impactful, focusing on important social issues like human trafficking in the state, the lack of insurance coverage for Iowans seeking treatment for eating disorders, and the effort to diversify Iowa’s birth workers with the goal of improving birth outcomes of women of color. Away from work, Jodi devotes all her time to her husband, Ra Shaan and their two children. She and her family attend Eternity Church in Clive.

After witnessing extreme poverty during a mission trip to Haiti, Julie Hulstein carried the stories and faces of those she met home with her to Iowa. God planted in her heart the desire to create a path to economic sustainability and  life enrichment for the women and families she encountered. Vi Bella sprouted out of that seed. Vi Bella means “beautiful life,” and as the company’s founder and CEO, a beautiful life is Julie’s vision for Vi Bella artisans, their families, and their communities. Vi Bella artisans, many of whom experience deafness or amputation, have become highly skilled creators who enjoy a positive, encouraging community at Vi Bella. 

 In 2023, Vi Bella partnered with Many Hands in providing jobs in Haiti. This partnership has flourished and now supports many new artisans with income, hope, and dignity. Julie and her husband Kirk live in Sioux Center. 

Robert Pascuzzi is an entrepreneur, film producer, author, husband of 30 years to his wife Kelly, and the father of three boys. His life was shattered due to a crime that impacted him and his family. In the wake of that tragedy, Robert wrote a novel, The Ravine, and then co-produced the Hollywood feature film of the same name. Robert is also the producer and co-host of the podcast Time For Forgiveness focused on bringing a message of forgiveness and hope through compelling guests.

Tim Brand is the Founder and CEO of Many Hands, established in 2009. In 1998, Tim joined a church group mission trip to Pignon, Haiti, which changed his perspective on God’s global heart. Two years later, he was praying for direction for his life and he heard a voice say to go back to Haiti. The next morning, he received an email from a mission team about an upcoming trip. He agreed, and at the end of that trip, made a covenant with God to be involved in Haiti in some way for the rest of his life. Today, Tim dedicates his life to helping people release their God-given talent to be love in action. Tim lives in Pella with his wife, Catie, and their two children.