Board of Directors

“These systemic issues make the work of Iowa CareGivers more important than ever.  We will continue to implement the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan and raise our voice to advocate for caregivers across our state.”

- Elisabeth Buck, Board Chair

Read my full message

2024 Board of Directors

  • Elisabeth Buck

    Elisabeth Buck

    Board Chair
    Retired President, United Way of Central Iowa

  • Jim Miles-Polka

    Jim Miles-Polka

    Board Vice Chair
    Former Senior Vice President with Foth

  • Julie McMahon

    Julie McMahon

    Board Secretary
    Retired, Iowa Department of Public Health

  • Scott Hartsook

    Scott Hartsook

    Board Treasurer, Attorney
    Hartsook Law Office

  • Dennis Henderson

    Dennis Henderson

    TEACH/TECH Program Manager
    Broadlawns Medical Center

  • Melissa S. McCoy

    Melissa S. McCoy

    Social Determinants of Health
    Manager, Molina Healthcare of Iowa

  • Jodi O'Donnell

    Josephine “Jodi” O’Donnell

    Ames, Iowa

  • Maribel Slinde

    Maribel Slinde

    Immediate Past Chair
    Retired, WesleyLife Home and Community Services

  • Leann Uhlenhopp

    Leann Uhlenhopp

    Regional Director, EveryStep

2024 Board Advisors

  • Nancy Anderson

    Nancy Anderson

    Retired, Aging Resources of Central Iowa

  • Tom Carpenter

    Tom Carpenter

    Retired, Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C.

  • Robert Denson

    Robert Denson

    President, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)

  • Kim Downs

    Kim Downs

    Retired, Telligen

  • Anne Kinzel

    Anne Kinzel

    Iowa State University

  • Deanna Lehl

    Deanna Lehl

    Retired, Family Nurse Practitioner

  • Ivan Lyddon

    Ivan Lyddon

    Retired, Iowa Health Foundation

  • Shirley Soreson

    Shirley Sorenson

    Retired, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)

 

A Message From Iowa CareGivers Board Chair

Iowa’s direct care workforce has been overwhelmed by shortages and high turnover, which places those who need them at greatest risk.  COVID-19 exposed longstanding systemic and policy gaps that have gone unaddressed for far too long for those individuals – the certified nurse assistants, home care aides, direct support professionals, hospice aides, and others who provide most of the hands-on care for Iowans in these settings as well as in clients’ homes, group homes, hospitals and hospices.

These systemic issues make the work of Iowa CareGivers more important than ever.   We will continue to implement the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan and raise our voice to advocate for caregivers across our state.

I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Iowa CareGivers Board of Directors.  Board members, along with our wonderful staff, and the Direct Care Leadership Council are fully committed to advocating for caregivers across our state.  As someone who is a family caregiver and is seeing first-hand the importance of the work of caregivers, I know this work is critical for my family, and so many others in our great state.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth Buck
Board Chair