Partner, Prairie Coast Strategies, LLC
With an extensive background across public affairs, the private sector and non-profits, Jona Van Deun was formerly Vice President of Small Business Coalitions and Engagement for the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. She recently served as President of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC) within the Aksarben Foundation, and currently is Managing Partner with Prairie Coast Strategies, LLC advising clients on grassroots, government & public affairs, and large event logistics/production projects around the country.
Beginning her career as a Staff Assistant to former President George H.W. Bush in the Office of Presidential Scheduling, Jona served as Deputy Director for Cabinet Affairs to Governor Arne H. Carlson (MN). She then returned to D.C. as a professional staff member on the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, working on social welfare policy. Jona also served as Director of Site Operations for both the 2000 (Philadelphia, PA) and the 2004 (New York, NY) Republican National Conventions. Serving on the White House Transition Team, she went on to be the Advance and Scheduling Director for Mrs. Lynne V. Cheney.
Throughout her 30-year career, Jona has provided strategic expertise to various trade associations and Fortune 500 companies, including 3M Company, the Pillsbury Company, DCI Group and the Property Casualty Insurers Association (PCI). Jona also served as Director of Coalitions for Koch Companies Public Sector. As a graduate and member of the Board of Trustees of the College of St. Benedict (MN), one of the few remaining liberal arts women’s colleges in the U.S., Jona focuses her charitable and volunteer activities toward programs that attract and develop women for leadership positions in government and business.
Community Involvement:
- Board Director, Nelnet
- College of St. Benedict (CSB) and St. John’s University (SJU) – Common Boards of Trustees
- Omaha Community Foundation
- UNL Technology, Law, and Governance Center
- Gretna United Methodist Church – Women’s Advisory Council