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.
Sara Krambeer Vice President Sara@Hadsa.Org
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?!)
Tiffany Wilford Secretary Tiffany@Hadsa.Org
Hi there! My name is Tiffany Wilford and I am brand new to the HADSA board in 2023 and will serve as the Board Secretary. I am also a Mom and Business Partner with Lime Life 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.
Michelle Friedman Treasurer Michelle@Hadsa.Org
Hi! I’m Michelle Friedman and I am in my second year of being the HADSA Treasurer in 2023. 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.
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 this year (2023) and I’m looking forward to serving on the board and as part of the Social Media Team. 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.
Darb Ludolph Board Member
Hey! My name is Darb and I’m new to the board this year (2023)! I’m excited to be part of the group. I am also helping on the Social Media Team. In the “Non-HADSA” world I’m currently a full time Momma to my three little rascals.
Along with my husband, Matt, we get to raise 3 of the best (but wild) children: Joey, Phoebe and Garth (our extra special guy). Having already managed to marry my best friend, an impressive achievement in my eyes, I 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 join 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!)
Ashley Heinrich Board Member
Hey All! My name is Ashley Heinrich and I am so excited to be back on the HADSA board again this year. Prior to returning last year, I also served in 2018 and 2019. I work with the Social and Fundraising committees on scheduling monthly community fundraisers as well as informal gatherings throughout the year. I work in my professional life as a school safety official and EMS while also working to finish my schooling.
I aspire each and every day to be the best version of myself I can be while being a single mom to my 3 children. I enjoy helping individuals in my community and I am proud of my ability to work in EMS and always be ready for whatever I may walk into.
My daughter, Gabby, led me to find HADSA so that I could learn and grow in my ability to support others in the Down Syndrome community. I knew I wanted to be involved to offer others that same opportunity.
One quirky fact about me: I drive like a NASCAR driver in a minivan.
Susie Horn Board Member
Maureen Vlasich Board Member
Anna Tissue Board Member
Hello! My name is Anna Tisue. My husband, Bryan, and I have two children, Evelyn and Elsie. Our youngest daughter, Elsie, has Down Syndrome. Evelyn is the best big sister and Elsie loves to follow her everywhere.
I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Family Services. I have been employed at the Sheriff’s Office for 8 years, and I was awarded Civilian of the Year the first year it was awarded.
I am new to the Board this year. My goal is to become more involved with HADSA by helping families learn to navigate the resources available to them. Another goal for our family is to continue to give back to the Ronald McDonald House! We enjoy walking in the 5K with family and friends!
After Elsie was born, someone from HADSA reached out to our family and a basket was delivered to us with useful information. I want to give back to other families in the Down Syndrome community. I am excited to meet other families and gain lifelong friendships!
One quirky fact about you: I am short, but I was a hurdler in high school. I went to State for Shuttle Hurdle Relay and 100-Meter Hurdles!
Past President Carey Ann Sahu Email: CareyAnn@hadsa.org
Mrs. Carey Ann Sahu lives in Atkins with her husband Sajan of twenty years and two of her three children; the youngest of which has Down Syndrome. Her oldest child attends the University of Iowa.
Carey Ann is a 9-12 Special Education Teacher at Benton Community High School where she has worked for the past 10 years. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a major in Special Education and then graduated with her master degree in special education and reading from Morningside college in 2013. Her duties at Benton include coaching FTC Robotics and is helping to spear head Unified Robotics in Iowa (a special needs Lego robotics competition). She is also a Prom Coordinator.
In her free time, Carey Ann loves to read, sew, and bake. One of her favorite activities is clowning. She can make over 200 different figures out of balloons and enjoys entertaining children of all ages at a variety of community events. She attended clown camp in 1994 at the University of Wisconsin, LaCross.
Staff
Lindsey Flaherty Program Coordinator Lindsey@Hadsa.Org
Hello HADSA Community! Lindsey here – and I am so optimistic looking ahead to our 2023 year to come. May will be my 5 year anniversary with you all and I cannot believe it! Fresh out of our board retreat I think this year is going to be our best year yet!!
Some of you have probably met my husband, Keith. He really is my right hand man at most of our events (and in life, honestly). While we don’t have any children of our own (yet), there are few things we enjoy more than kids and giving back to the community.
I was referred to HADSA from a family that were members. I was working for them as a respite worker and they felt I would be a good fit for the position that had recently come open. I’m very thankful they shared that information with me because being a part of this community has absolutely changed my life!
One quirky think about me: My college educations is actually in cosmetology, but now I am a Revenue Manager at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Not quite the path most would take to this point…. :)