Iowa-based nonprofit Many Hands announced that Jon Pedersen has accepted a position on their team as the Director of Human Resources (HR) beginning May 10, 2021. Pedersen brings more than 25 years of experience in HR, most recently serving as Senior Talent Development Consultant at Principal Financial Group.

Pedersen began his professional career at Principal Financial Group, working in various roles for over 35 years. He previously held positions as a Human Resources Organizational Development Specialist, and then as a Senior Formal Learning Specialist, building the company’s internal leadership and training programs.

“I’ve had many HR roles in a Fortune 250 company during my career,” Pedersen explained. “I’ve worked with incredible people and gained tremendous experience. This role will allow me to use various aspects of my career in one role.”

“What I get most excited about is finding people’s passion and talents,” shared Pedersen. “I have loved the conversations that I’ve had with the Many Hands team. You can just feel the sense of mission and purpose that everyone has.  I know that I will be part of a great team.”

Jon brings the right mix of international experience and the ability to grow talents in people to fulfill our vision.

Pedersen is the nonprofit’s first HR Director. Having experienced unprecedented growth beginning in 2020, Many Hands now has over 110 full-time staff stateside and internationally. This growth clarified the need for a dedicated HR Director, as explained by CEO Tim Brand.

“As we’ve grown in the number of staff and responsibilities, we desired to bring on a seasoned HR leader. With staff working domestically and internationally within multiple communities, it is a unique position. Maintaining our growth and development mindset is essential to keeping our team unified,” Brand said. “Jon brings the right mix of international experience and the ability to grow talents in people to fulfill our vision. We are excited to have him join our team.”

Pedersen will develop the organization’s HR strategy, creating talent acquisition and development strategies for the entire organization. He will support the organization’s community-focused strategy, which is intrinsic to the DNA of Many Hands.

“I hope to build a framework of success for the organization that will enable every employee the opportunity to fully contribute to Many Hands’ vision in addition to finding personal fulfillment,” said Pedersen. “I can’t begin to imagine the struggle that some people face, and Many Hands is an organization that is focused on helping others gain a new beginning.” 

When asked about this new stage in his career, Pedersen points to the ways that he can use his experience and unique talents to give back.

“It’s part of a personal journey.  When you get to a certain age, you reflect.  I think back to something my grandfather said to me.  He said, ‘At the end of the day, it’s really important that you give back more than you take.’ I’ve been incredibly blessed in my life and I am excited to help Many Hands improve other people’s lives.”

About Many Hands:

Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit creating local and global life-transformation. Established in 2008, the organization aims to ignite generosity, grow community, and take people on IMPACT journeys to carve a new, better path to live. Each year, the organization reaches at least 25,000 people through their Haitian operations, IMPACT Journeys, and Many Hands Thrift Markets located in Clive, Grimes, and Spencer, Iowa.

Many Hands is called to transform together, to be love in action, in a broken world.