Decade of Dedication

As her time at Willis Dady has come to a close, we wanted to take a moment to thank Alicia Faust for her dedication over the last ten years. Since joining Willis Dady Homeless Services in 2016, Alicia has played a significant role in strengthening the organization’s programs, expanding community partnerships, and advancing its mission to empower all experiencing homelessness to build futures of self-sufficiency through advocacy, housing, and employment. During her tenure, Willis Dady Homeless Services continued to grow its impact across Cedar Rapids and Linn County, serving thousands of individuals and families through shelter, housing placement with supportive services, outreach, and employment.

While Alicia has many notable achievements during her time at Willis Dady, we can only mention a few here.

• In 2023, she was named a Spirit of Minnie Rubek Honoree. This is a recognition granted by the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

• In 2025, Alicia was named to the Corridor Business Journal's Forty Under Forty list for her impact in the Cedar Rapids community.

• Additionally, Alicia remained heavily involved in her alma mater, Wartburg College. She has served on the Board of Regents and as President of the Alumni Board. We were so proud of her for earning her Masters of Art in Leadership at Wartburg while being the Executive Director of Willis Dady.

Alicia is a phenomenal leader, and we wish her the best of luck in her new role!

“Leading Willis Dady Homeless Services has been one of the greatest privileges of my career,” said Alicia. “This organization’s mission, the dedication of its staff, and the resilience of the people we serve inspire me every day. I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made together and confident that the organization will continue to thrive and expand its impact in the years ahead.”

To maintain continuity and stability, David Karpick, currently the Employment Services Director, has assumed the role of Interim Executive Director. In this role, David will work closely with the organization’s senior leadership team and Board of Directors to ensure uninterrupted operations and continued progress toward the organization’s strategic priorities.

“Willis Dady Homeless Services is built on a strong foundation of committed staff, community partnerships, and a clear mission,” said Lucas Hicks, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We are deeply grateful for Alicia’s years of leadership and the many contributions she has made to strengthen our organization. Our priority is maintaining stability and continuing to deliver the critical services our community depends on.”