Catherine McAuley Center

Meeting Location: Mercy Plumb Heart Center - 846 9th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Anne Dugger is the Executive Director of the Catherine McAuley Center (CMC), a nonprofit organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that welcomes refugees and immigrants, adult learners, and women to participate in educational and supportive services.

Prior to accepting the Executive Director position, Anne held pivotal roles as the Director of Education and Director of Refugee/Immigrant Services, along with leading the Supplemental Services team at CMC. Anne is deeply committed to the mission of the Catherine McAuley Center and during her past eleven years has created lasting community partnerships and lead the center strategically through very difficult changes to funding and personnel.  

Anne has over twenty years of leadership experience in various fields including healthcare, education, and nonprofit management plus ten years of experience in teaching at the most basic level up to the collegiate level. Anne is frequently asked to speak at conferences, events, community meetings and gatherings and in 2020 became a published author. Anne has received several area awards to including the Jean Oxley Service Award in 2024, being an honoree in the “Tribute to Heroes” ceremony with the Freedom Festival in 2025, and being named a Woman of Influence by the Corridor Business Journal in 2026.  Anne has also received numerous accolades for her innovative approach to English as a Second Language instruction and US Citizenship curriculum.

Anne’s dedication to her community continues outside of CMC. She previously held positions on the Cedar Rapids Public Schools Diversity Committee and on Mercy Medical Center’s Diversity Committee.  Anne currently serves on the Cedar Rapids Affordable Housing Commission and previously on the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Anne received her B.A. from Coe College and her Master’s of Education from Mount Mercy University.