Who We Are

ICADV is lucky to have an amazing Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Staff.  Each of these groups is highlighted below.  However, we also need and appreciate the support of our donors, partner organizations, professional groups, the media and service providers.  

 

ICADV Advisory Council

Our Advisory Council is made up of individuals who lend their names and their advice to ICADV.  Each of these individuals is committed to the fight against domestic violence and is available to provide technical assistance in their particular area of expertise.

 Bonnie Campbell, Attorney at Law

 Caitlin Coyner, KCCI

 Jean Hessburg

 Patty Judge, Iowa Lt. Governor

 Tom Miller, IA Attorney General

 Charlotte Nelson

 Sally J. Pederson, Former Lt. Gov.

 Linda Railsback, MD, MPA, FACOG

 

ICADV Board of Directors

ICADV's Board of Directors is made up of community leaders and member program executive directors.  The board is responsible for vision that our staff works to carry out.

Chair

    Georgia Spurgeon 

Vice Chair

    Tobbie Walter

Board Members

Nichole Banowetz

Mary Ingham

Beth Jackley

Shari Aaker Kastien

Lilian Maswai

Teama McGregor

Jessie Peterson

Diane McKee

James Ottesen

Jane Rosien

 Mira Yusef

 

ICADV Staff

Staff Biographies

Director of Development -- Sarabeth Anderson

Sarabeth Anderson joined the Coalition in 2006.  Sarabeth graduated from the University of Iowa in 1994 with a BA in Political Science with Honors and Distinction and graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1998 with Distinction. While attending the College of Law Sarabeth was on the editorial board of the Journal of Gender Race and Justice.  Before joining the Coalition Sarabeth founded a branch of the non-profit organization Dress for Success in Wichita, KS and later worked as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Iowa.  As Director of Development Sarabeth manages ICADV’s fundraising efforts and public awareness specifically focusing on Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

 

Special Immigration Legal Advocate -- Isabel Conn

Isabel joined the Coalition in 2005.  Isabel works in ICADV’s MUNA Legal Clinic as a bi-lingual advocate handling a variety of matters for clients.  These include completing intakes, assisting clients in filing temporary protective orders, and assisting in case preparation for MUNA attorneys.  Isabel also hosts “Know Your Rights Presentations,” assists immigrant communities with organizing and leadership development, and collaborates with the MUNA Community Program Coordinator.

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MUNA Staff Attorney -- Andrea Diaz

Andrea joined the Coalition in 2007.  She is a 2007 graduate of Drake University Law School and a 2003 graduate of Simpson College.  While at Simpson, Andrea worked as the Nicaragua program assistant for Simpson’s study-abroad program located in Managua.  Before joining ICADV Andrea worked as an intern in the Polk County Attorney’s Office in Des Moines, IA and as an intern at the firm of Elverson, Vasey and Peterson also in Des Moines.  

 

Managing Attorney—Tina L.B. Fisher

Tina L.B. Fisher joined the Coalition in 2005.  Tina graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 2000 with a B.S. in Political Science and graduated from Hamline University School of Law in 2003.  During law school Tina assisted an attorney-lobbyist, meeting with legislators and attending committee meetings. After law school Tina began working as an Americorps staff attorney with the MUNA.  As Managing Attorney Tina provides technical assistance to MUNA staff, assists in long range planning, and represents clients in family and immigration matters.

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 State Trainer—Kirsten Faisal

Kirsten Faisal has been the state trainer for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence since 1995, where she helps develop public policy, and provides technical assistance and training to agencies that impact battered women and their children. She is on the steering committee for the Batterer’s Education Program for the Iowa Department of Corrections and the Iowa Domestic Abuse Death Review Team. She has served as an expert witness in civil and criminal domestic abuse cases and graduated with honors from Iowa State University with a b.a. in anthropology.

MUNA Office Coordinatory/SILA -- Norma L. Jurado

Norma joined the coalition in 2006 as an AmeriCorps VISTA.  She later accepated a permanent position with the coalition.  Norma assists battered immigrant women with immigration matters including applications for adjustment of status and renewals of employment authorization.  She manages the phones and filing system for the clinic.  Norma also completes first intake interviews on immigration and family law cases, opens, closes, and updates case and hosts "Know Your Rights" presentations

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Assistant Director—Joan Kennedy

Joan has been with the Coalition since 1993. Prior to joining ICADV Joan provided administrative/managerial support to a large social service agency in Wisconsin. Joan handles the fiscal responsibilities at the Coalition and monitors budget expenditures and revenue planning. Joan is also skilled at event coordination and conference planning.  In addition Joan is critical to ICADV’s grant administration, administrative policies, program development, grant writing and board development.

 

MUNA Staff Attorney—Megan Lantz

Megan Lantz joined the MUNA Legal Clinic of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2007.   Megan graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2002 with a B.A. in Organizational Communication and a minor in Spanish and received her J.D. from Drake University Law School in December of 2005.  She is licensed to practice law in the State of Iowa.  During Law School, Megan was an intern with a small immigration law firm.  After graduation, Megan worked as an associate at the firm until her transition to the MUNA Legal Clinic in November of 2007. 

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Special Immigration Legal Advocate -- Laura Martinez

Laura  joined the Coalition in December of 2006 as an AmeriCorps member. Laura later transitioned to her current position as a SILA with ICADV/MUNA  as bilingual advocate. As a SILA Laura is responsible for handling, applications for and renewal of work permits for battered immigrant women.  She also assists in U- visa and VAWA case preparation for attorneys  and holds "Know Your Rights" presentations for immigrants.

 

Assistant to the ASISTA Co-Directors/Event Coordinator-- Veronica Mendez

Veronica joined ASISTA/ICADV in February of 2008. Before joining ICADV Veronica worked as a Lead Teller for Wells Fargo Bank.  She has been working since the age of 14, mostly in customer service positions.  In her position with ASISTA Veronica is responsible for coordination events including major conferences, handling ASISTA’s billing, and assisting the Co-directors as needed.

 

Membership/Certification Coordinator, IAP Financial Coordinator and ICADV Human Resources—Rebecca Moore

Rebecca joined the Coalition in 2003. She is a 2006 graduate of Iowa State University earning her Bachelors degree in Political Science and Sociology. Rebecca is currently working on her law degree at Drake University School of Law.  In her position with ICADV Rebecca acts as a resource person and liaison for various membership committees, coordinates insurance services for the Coalition and our staff, and maintains all membership records including dues, complaints, active membership and compliance standards.

 

ASISTA Clearinghouse Manager —Joann Picray

Joanne joined the Coalition in 2006.  She is a 2008 graduate of the Drake University Law School.  Joanne is currently the Assistant to the Co-Directors at ASISTA, as well as a student attorney at the Middleton Center for Children's Rights at the Drake University Legal Clinic.  As Clearinghouse Manager Joanne manages and facilitates legal technical assistance to attorneys and representatives across the United States on immigration issues.  She also manages the ASISTA website - http://www.asistaonline.org-- and two VAWA related listservs which provide up to date legal resources necessary to serve immigrant survivors of domestic violence.

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 Senior Staff Attorney/Public Policy Coordinator—Nancy Robertson

Nancy came to the Coalition in 1997. She is a 1996 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law.  She previously worked at Planned Parenthood for 8 years as a counselor/clinic assistant. Just prior to coming to the Coalition, Nancy worked as an attorney at Jim Benzoni's Law Office handling mostly criminal defense and juvenile's court cases. Nancy also has worked in the Iowa Legislature and for Senator Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate.  At the Coalition Nancy focuses on lobbying at the state and national level, training professionals and community members on domestic violence issues and the law, and representing domestic violence survivors at the appellate level.

MUNA Community Program Coordinator—Jackie Santana

Jackie began with the Coalition in October 2001. She has seven years experience working in a battered women's shelter with primarily Hispanic women and children. Her responsibilities at the Coalition are to provide technical assistance and training to local domestic violence centers and other service providers on issues regarding multicultural competency and community organizing. She also provides diversity training to other organizations and public awareness workshops for the general public. Jackie is responsible for developing multicultural materials for dissemination. 

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Executive Director—Laurie Schipper

Laurie joined ICADV in 1993.  She received her Bachelors of Science in Social Work degree in 1985 from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.   Ms. Schipper has worked within the Battered Women’s Movement for 25 years.  Prior to Ms. Schipper’s work with the Coalition, she worked in a battered women’s shelter and rape crisis center in Ames, Iowa for 10 years.  Ms. Schipper provides technical assistance and training to domestic violence advocates and other professionals who interface with battered women and their children.  Ms. Schipper serves on the Iowa STOP Violence Against Women State Coordinating Council, participates in training and curriculum development, consults on public policy as it relates to domestic violence, and provides expert testimony to the courts on domestic violence and the effects it has on children.

 

         AmeriCorps and Tech Advocate—Adam Stark

Adam began with the Coalition in June of 2005. He graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice in 2000. He was previously with ACCESS in Ames as the Shelter Coordinator and Shelter Director for 5.5 years. At the Coalition Adam manages the REACH AmeriCorps program, coordinates our information/technology systems, and provides elder abuse initiative training.

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 Community Partnership Child Welfare Specialist —Annette Williams

Annette joined the Coalition in 2006.  Before ICADA Annette worked for the Partnership for Safe Families in Cedar Rapids.  As Community Partnership Child Welfare Specialist, she provides case consultation, training, and technical assistance to the Department of Human Services and other agencies on the issue of domestic violence and child protection.  She is a LMSW with experience in legal advocacy, outreach, therapy, media relations, crisis intervention, and program development for adult and child victims of domestic violence.  She began her work in the field at ACCESS in Ames and has also worked for the Tri-State Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Keokuk.  She has also worked at the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence on Maryland's Eastern Shore.  It was her work there coordinating and developing the transitional services program SafeNet that earned her the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence 2001 Service Award.