Board of Directors and Staff
Board of Directors:
President
Brian Larkin E-mail Brian@hadsa.org Meet Brian:
My wife Sara and I live in Vinton and have 4 grown children and 4 grandsons, one of which as Down syndrome. Our son, John also has Down Syndrome. When he was little, we lived in the Chicago area and we had no real support to speak of. We moved to this area 21 years ago, and in that time have developed relationships with Special Olympics, locally and at the state level. I am a past board member of the Arc, as well as several other boards and organizations. I’m grateful that HADSA is here so families in this area have access to the resources and information that we never had when our son was younger. I view HADSA as a referral source and a support network. If you have a question, we’ll find the people who can get you answers. You’ve gained a new branch on your family tree in HADSA. Welcome! |
Meet Cheri:
I am married to Scott and I am a mom to 3 girls. Our middle daughter has Down syndrome and was a surprise diagnosis at birth. I currently work part-time as the accountant at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Marion, IA. In my free time I enjoy attending my children's sporting events, exercise, cooking, decorating, shopping, and my two dogs!! :) We were excited to learn about HADSA and became active in the group shortly after getting settled in CR and have found it a great way to meet other people who were walking the same path in life. I’m proud to be a part of the HADSA board. |
Meet Jill:
I, along with my husband Chad, are originally from Danville, IL. I work at Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, IA as a Physician Assistant in the ER and hospitalist. Chad and I have two daughters; Charlie who is blessed with Down syndrome and Ruby. Charlie’s diagnosis is what fuels my involvement in HADSA. As a family we enjoy traveling and outdoor activities. |
Meet Lisa:
My husband Eric and I have two boys; Dax and Chase. I am an occupational therapist, but have been staying home the last few years to be with my children. I have been involved with HADSA since Dax was born, however I am new to the board this last year. Dax underwent an open heart surgery at birth due to a coarctation of the aorta and currently has a PEG tube for nutrition, so if I can offer any insight in these areas, please don’t hesitiate to send me an email. |
Meet Mellette:
Hi, my name is Mellette and my passion for being an advocate for those with special needs began when I was in high school. I've worked in area non-profits for 8+ years in many capacities and found that my strongest connections are those made with individuals with Down Syndrome. I love the sense of community HADSA offers to families and am looking forward to getting to know more members! |
Meet Kristi:
My intention when getting involved with HADSA was to give back to my community. I also have some wonderful and amazing relationships with several individuals and families that have or support someone with Down Syndrome. I'm am married to a pretty amazing guy, Jason Grimm. I have the most wonderful female puggle, Minnie, who is my world. I work for The Arc of East Central Iowa in the Adult Day Hab as a Community Integration Specialist. I look forward to this amazing experience on the HADSA board. |
Meet Angela:
I have three children . My child with Down syndrome is Isaac who attends Kennedy High School. I was involved with HADSA when Isaac was younger, but a recent experience with the ICan bike camp in Ames, Iowa encouraged me to be more involved. We spend a lot of time with Isaac swimming, bowling, and eating HyVee breakfast every Saturday. I am excited to be part of the HADSA board. |
Meet Meg:
I am a homeschooling mom of nine, of which our Down syndrome-blessed Eoghan is youngest. I am also a Latin-teaching, Master-gardening, and knitting bookworm. We have been through home therapies, the ID waiver and CCO processes with Eoghan, as well as open heart surgery if anyone needs help in these areas. This is my second year on the Board of Directors. |
Staff
Program Coordinator
Lindsey Sauerbrei lindsey@hadsa.org |
Meet Lindsey:
I grew up in Fairbank, a small town in NE Iowa. All the way through school, I had a passion for kids and teaching. I graduated High School a semester early and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to Florida for a few months to nanny for a family friend. When I came home from Florida, I attended Hawkeye Community College for General Studies with the intent of moving on to Early Childhood Education. Along the way, I decided I did not, in fact, want to spend the rest of my life in a school. I decided to leave Hawkeye and attend LaJames International College in Cedar Falls to learn how to do hair. My cosmetology career took me down many roads I never thought I would get to travel, one of those roads included teaching in the cosmetology schools and for continuing education classes. Another allowed me to work for myself in a salon. In the end, all roads led me to a love for simply helping people. Ironically, that newly discovered love has now taken me out of the cosmetology business and in to hospitality. I currently work at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center as a Revenue and Marketing Coordinator as well as doing some respite care for a family blessed by Down Syndrome. The later of the two presented me with the opportunity to work with all of you. I am so happy to add Program Coordinator for this wonderful organization to my daily life, and look forward to all the wonderful things that we continue to do for the community! |
Committees:
HADSA’s Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk/5K: Jill Reese &Meg McDougall
Education: TBD
Family Outreach: Monica Rannals
Marketing: Tara Ellison
Membership: Jessi Siepman
Online Communication: Jessi Siepman
Social: TBD
Finance: TBD
Fundraising: Brian Larkin
Strategic Planning: TBD
Please view the what our committees do and let us know if you want to help out It takes many volunteers to keep an organization running.
HADSA_2016_Committee_structure_and_descriptions
*If you would like to join a committee, please contact us at info@hadsa.org
Education: TBD
Family Outreach: Monica Rannals
Marketing: Tara Ellison
Membership: Jessi Siepman
Online Communication: Jessi Siepman
Social: TBD
Finance: TBD
Fundraising: Brian Larkin
Strategic Planning: TBD
Please view the what our committees do and let us know if you want to help out It takes many volunteers to keep an organization running.
HADSA_2016_Committee_structure_and_descriptions
*If you would like to join a committee, please contact us at info@hadsa.org
