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

 James Ottesen, Attorney at Law

 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.

 

Board Members

Tobbie Walter

Nichole Banowetz

Rhonda Dean

Teama McGregor

Diane McKee

Shelly McQueeney

Linda Miller

Kathy Nebel

Sue Prochazka

Johna Sullivan

Mira Yusef

Martha Zylstra

 

ICADV Staff

Staff Biographies

Skylark Project Attorney -- Liz Albright Battles

Liz joined the Coalition in 2009.  As an intern in the summer of 2008, she helped establish the Skylark Project by researching commutation in Iowa and helping select the first round of candidates.  Liz earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Iowa in 2006 with majors in English and women’s studies.  During law school at the University of Iowa College of Law, Liz worked in the legal clinic to offer direct legal services to domestic violence victims.  She graduated from law school in May 2009, and was acceptanced to the Iowa Bar in September 2009.  As the Skylark Project Attorney, Liz will manage the University of Iowa law student participants, and she will also work directly with some of the commutation candidates.

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.

 

Housing and Economic Justice Coordinator (AmeriCorps VISTA) -Zebulon Beilke-McCallum

Zebulon joined the Coalition in 2009. Zebulon graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2006 with a BA in Philosophy and minor in Sociology. Zebulon is currently working on his Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Before joining the Coalition Zebulon was a Community Organizer who worked on affordable housing. At the Coalition Zebulon provides technical assistance to local domestic violence programs on economic and housing policy. Zebulon is also working to engage economic systems and anti-poverty organizations to support the economic development of survivors.

 

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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Managing Attorney—Tina L.B. Fisher

Tina L.B. Fisher joined the Coalition in 2004.  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.

 

Skylark Project Coordinator (AmeriCorps)—Katie Jares

 Katie joined ICADV in 2008 to implement the Skylark Project, a program offering support and services to incarcerated survivors of domestic violence. As a student at Grinnell College, Katie coordinated the Prison Education Program where undergraduates teach at the Newton Correctional Facility for men, and created Concrete Perspectives, an anthology of inmate writing. Her senior year, she expanded the program to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Before coming to ICADV, Katie worked with returning ex-offenders in Washington, DC’s notorious Anacostia neighborhood.

 

MUNA Office Coordinator/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. 

Public Policy Director and Senior Staff Attorney -- Amber Markham

Amber joined the Coalition in 2009 .  She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a bachelors degree in political science with a minor in international affairs.  Amber then went on to law school at the University of Iowa College of Law.  As a law student Amber wrote for the Journal of Gender, Race, and Justice as well as volunteered with ICADV to provide direct legal services to victims of domestic violence.  After becoming bar certified in Iowa  Amber worked for two years as a State Policy Advisor for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.  In  her role as the director of public policy for ICADV she will be working with state and federal lawmakers to ensure the rights of women are protected.  Amber will also be doing appellate court work on behalf of victims of domestic violence. 

 

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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.

 

D.E.L.T.A.P.R.E.P and Prevention (Americorp)  -- Tess Putnam

Tess grew up in Marion/Cedar Rapids, IA and went to Marion High School and Luther College. Two of the things she is most proud of during her time at Luther are her study abroad experience in India during her junior year and founding the Luther College Adventure Race during her senior year. She has worked for Upward Bound in Decorah for the past four summers. After graduation she volunteered for Senator Swati Dandekar's campaign in the fall of 2008 and became her clerk the following winter. During that time she also interned with the coalition. She is now serving as ICADV's prevention coordinator and enjoying life in Des Moines.

 

 

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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.

AmeriCorps VISTA, Development—Megan Thomassen

Megan Thomassen joined ICADV in 2009.  Megan graduated from Calvin College with a BA in Film Studies and a minor in Gender Studies.  Before joining ICADV, Megan interned at a Hollywood production office and was a research assistant for a DVD on Christian perspectives on public policy.  She hails from western Michigan.  She is joining ICADV for a year as an Americorp VISTA, and she will be working with Sarabeth Anderson on ICADV events, fundraising and public relations.

 

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 Community Partnership Child Welfare Specialist —Annette Williams

Annette joined the Coalition in 2006.  Before ICADV 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.