![]() Emily Barnes
President [email protected] Hi! My name is Emily Barnes and I am your current HADSA President. Formerly I have served as an at large member as well as Vice President. In my life outside of HADSA, I work as an Elementary Music Specialist for the Cedar Rapids Community School District at both Van Buren and Wright Elementary Schools. Like many in this world, it often feels like there is not enough of me to go around. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, I want to be good at ALL the things! While I may not have achieved being good at ALL the things, a couple things I have accomplished quite well are family and music. Both play huge roles in my life. I have Bachelors and Master’s degrees in education, plus additional music education training at St. Thomas University & the Orff Institute in Austria. Now I reside in Cedar Rapids with my husband, Jeremy, and our three wonderful sons: Magnus, Miles, and Marcus. I decided to get involved with HADSA after attending a couple family events that left me smiling. I had known about HADSA since Marcus was born and Heather Deppe visited us in the NICU. Lindsey asked me to be on the board and I agreed! I knew I wanted to be active in the Down Syndrome Community because I was so unaware of it before Marcus came into our lives. One quirky fact about me: All of my favorite hobbies are “Old Lady” things – I love quilting, gardening, and reading historical fiction. ![]() Caè Kurylo-Gully
Board Member Hello everyone! My name is CaèLeisheia Kurylo-Gully but you can call me Caè (Kay) – Most people do! I joined the board last year (2023) and I’m looking forward to serving on the board and as part of the Social Media Team again this year (2024). I’m also lucky enough to get to be a stay-at-home Mom with a side of making apparel, crafts, and lots more! Along with being a good Mom and wife, being a leader, mentor and change maker in the world are some of my biggest goals. I also am pursuing higher Psychology education and degrees than what I have currently attained. One of the biggest accomplishments in my life was finishing my online degree and being named to the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, all while being pregnant. The other being birthing and raising my toddler Khai and my extra blessed baby, Buddha. I was informed about HADSA by someone involved with DSDN sometime during pregnancy, after diagnosis. Shortly after giving birth, I tried to find more ways to be involved, advocate, and educate. We ended up moving to Cedar Rapids from Waterloo, and from there I expressed my interest being on the board! One quirky fact about me: I was a wrestler. |
![]() Sara Krambeer
Vice President [email protected] Hello! My name is Sara Krambeer and I am the current Vice President on the HADSA Board. I also works as a General Transcriptionist and the owner of Sara’s KramBakery. Surviving the newborn stages with our twins, Jack and Ollie, (and honestly every stage after that) has been one of my greatest accomplishments. Ranking right up there with that is taking control and becoming my own boss while also being a stay at home mom. Oh! Do not forget successfully using a power tool for the first time… by myself… at 38 years old. A girl’s got to start sometime, right?! Since first learning about HADSA when Ollie was in the NICU, I knew I eventually wanted to be more involved. Receiving a diagnosis like this can feel overwhelming and lonely and I was really drawn to the idea of being able to help other families discover they were part of an amazing community. I officially joined the board as an at-large member in 2020 (thanks to some encouragement from Lindsey) and was part of the social committee... which, as you can imagine, wasn't really a demanding position in 2020. I became secretary in 2022 and vice president this year. I am excited to work with this year's board and plan some fun events for our community! One quirky fact about me: I got my first tattoo while on vacation in New York only because my friend wanted to use the tattoo parlor's restroom (No Regerts.. right?!) ![]() Michelle Friedman
Treasurer [email protected] Hi! I’m Michelle Friedman and I am in my third year of being the HADSA Treasurer in 2024. I’m looking forward to another year of serving on the board. As a stay-at-home mom, it is my number one goal to raise well-rounded and kind human beings. While I continue to grow in faith and leadership within my church and community, I make it my mission to share my daughter, Anna Kate, with the world. We want everyone to know how great people with Down Syndrome are and we will shout it loud for all to hear! Before joining HADSA I was, and I continue to be, a 4-H leader in my area. I have also studied abroad in Australia and I have been on mission trips to Haiti. It is safe to say that I enjoy adventure, helping others, as well as giving back to the community and world while setting a good example for my kids. I have been involved with HADSA before Anna Kate was born. I knew right away that I wanted to be active in our Down Syndrome community. A few months after Anna Kate was born I became Treasurer. I really enjoy planning events and getting the community together to celebrate our chromosomally enhanced loved ones! One quirky fact about me: I do not like the sound of people chewing bananas. |
![]() Tiffany Wilford
Secretary [email protected] Hi there! My name is Tiffany Wilford and this is my 2nd year on the HADSA board and I will continue to serve as the Board Secretary. I am also a Mom and Business Partner with LimeLife by Alcone and Bellame. In life I aspire to be the best mother, wife, friend and sister I can be. I want to make things easier for my four amazing boys to be able to succeed in this world. As well as holding two college degrees, I am also an award-winning actress and I have appeared in several motion pictures. I decided to get involved with HADSA after we moved from South Carolina to Iowa in 2019. Our son, Declan, has Down Syndrome and we knew we wanted to make sure we were getting him the most support possible. One quirky fact about me: I love to dance and I randomly will break into dancing if I feel so inclined. |
![]() Darb Ludolph
Board Member Hey! My name is Darb & I’ve been on the board since 2023! I love being involved with HADSA & grateful for the connections/friendships I have made along the way. I am a part Social Media Team. Outside of the HADSA world, I’m a full time Momma to my three little rascals. Along with my husband, Matt, we get to raise 3 of the best (but ferrel) children: Joey, Phoebe and Garth (our extra special guy). I married my best friend & now hope to raise good humans and teach them the simplicity of life. Being a stay at home mom has become my identity. I have been looking & looking for something, outside of the house, that is fulfilling & purposeful. What better way to fulfill that than to be a member of the HADSA Board with a wonderful group of people & feel that I am bringing something to this awesome community that I am so lucky to be a part of. Also eager to help bring awareness and support for families & individuals who were blessed with that extra chromie! One quirky fact about you: My brother, sister & I have the same birthday! I am a twin & we were born on my brothers second birthday (what a lucky guy!) |