.floatimg-left-hort { float:left; } .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 12px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 12px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} When Heather Riley lost her father seven years ago, she realized the importance of using her gifts and abilities to give back to the community.

“I think that was probably a poke in the ribs; there is more to life than work and kids,” Riley said, noting that her dad became involved in every community and civic event that he could handle.

Riley is the director of the March of Dimes Foundation’s Central Iowa division. Her tireless advocacy and promotion of the organization, including spearheading a number of signature fund-raising events, such as the March for Babies and Signature Chefs Auction gala, have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.

With a focus on engaging community leaders and executing strategies, including the recruitment, training and developing of volunteers for fund-raising and advocacy activities, Riley is also charged with persuading community business executives to act as agents of revenue generation.

“It’s important for businesses to find a way to give back and be a leader in the community through their giving efforts,” Riley said.

Her past volunteer work for Orchard Place, including the organization of “Pedal for a Purpose,” an annual bike ride intended to raise money for summertime recreational activities for cildren, won Riley an “Unsung Hero” award from the Des Moines Business Record.

The event has since evolved into Jim’s Ride, a family-oriented bike ride to benefit the children of Orchard Place and to honor the late Jim Goodman, a longtime supporter of Orchard Place and regular participant in “Pedal for a Purpose.”

Recently, Riley was honored with a 2010 “Heroes in the Heartland” award by the Heartland chapter of the American Red Cross.

Riley is married to Patrick Riley and has three children: Rachel, Amanda and Megan.

“I try to see where my talents best fit the need,” she said. “I think I’m good at motivating others to pitch in.”

Her mantra: “You’d better find a cause and get busy,” she said.