Meet the Communications & Events Team
Communications and marketing are foundational elements needed for IASB to reach and engage members, promote the association and its programs, services and events, and develop relationships with both the public and the media. Communications staff lead all communication and marketing efforts and oversee the planning and implementation of all statewide IASB events, including the Annual Convention and Trade Show.The Communications & Events Team manages a variety of resources to support IASB members, including all print and digital publications, newsletters, manuals, reports, and handbooks. They manage the IASB website design and content, the membership database, all IASB social media channels, and coordinate onboarding campaigns for candidates, newly elected board members, new superintendents, and School Board Recognition Month. The Communications Team can also assist your district’s communications staff with strategies for effective communication with your community on timely and hot-button issues.
Jen Woodley
Associate Executive Director, Communications & Events
Jen Woodley has been the Associate Executive Director, Communications & Events at the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2024. In her role, Jen builds understanding and involvement in the mission and key work of the association by leading and implementing effective communications, public relations, and media outreach strategies. She also strengthens ownership and involvement in the association and its programs by leading and implementing effective marketing and membership engagement strategies.
Prior to joining IASB®, Jen served as the Public Relations Coordinator with the Great Prairie Area Education Agency, where she directed internal and external communication efforts and ensured quality and branding consistency across multiple platforms. Jen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Central College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University.
Prior to joining IASB®, Jen served as the Public Relations Coordinator with the Great Prairie Area Education Agency, where she directed internal and external communication efforts and ensured quality and branding consistency across multiple platforms. Jen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Central College and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University.
Jen can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7040.
Email Jen
Emily Miller
Convention & Events Director
Emily Miller has been the Convention & Events Director at the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2023. In her role, Emily leads efforts to plan, implement, and evaluate IASB learning events for school board members, superintendents, and other school leaders, including the Annual Convention and Trade Show, statewide conferences, and digital learning initiatives.Emily began her career in education serving as a choir director at the secondary level. Most recently, Emily served as the Director of Choirs with Newton Community Schools. In Newton, she also served as the Music Department Chair and a Building Instructional Leader to support the implementation and growth of district initiatives in the classroom. Emily holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Drake University and is a graduate of Urbandale Community Schools.
Emily can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-4699.
Email Emily
Yve Sojka
Communications Specialist
Yve Sojka has been the Communications Specialist at the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2018. Her work involves taking information from across the association and translating it into graphic designs for easy comprehension, including publications, infographics, website management, animation, videos, and marketing materials.Yve earned a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Visual Communications and Graphic Design from Sam Houston State University. Prior to joining IASB®, she was a web and graphic design specialist at a Texas college, and later, a senior litigation graphics designer in NYC. Yve currently works remotely from Salt Lake City, where she is a skater for a nonprofit roller derby league. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, leatherworking and riding her motorcycle.
Yve can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7036.
Email Yve
Jeff Rohrick
Membership Specialist
Jeff Rohrick has been the Membership Specialist at the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2018. In his role, Jeff administers the IASB membership database, tracking essential data for all K–12 districts, area education agencies, and community colleges. He provides reporting services to IASB staff, connects members with IASB resources, facilitates the annual trade show, and provides editorial support to the Communications Team.Prior to joining IASB, Jeff taught K–12 Speech Communications & Theatre in Indiana and was a database administrator for Ingram Entertainment. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech & Theatre education from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Truman State University. Jeff is a graduate of Des Moines Independent School District.
Jeff can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7047.
Email Jeff
Taylor McGill
Advocacy & Digital Media Specialist
Taylor McGill has been the Advocacy & Digital Media Specialist at the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2023. In her role, Taylor assists the Communications Team with an emphasis on government relations and school finance. Taylor provides website updates, with a special focus on the government relations and school finance sections, writes and edits a variety of web and print content, coordinates bill tracking, analysis and registration, organizes event logistics and assists with marketing, public relations and member communications. In addition, Taylor hosts the BoardCast podcast and assists with a range of tasks relating to the development of IASB's legislative platform.
Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication with a minor in political science from Drake University. Prior
to joining IASB, Taylor worked for Rep. Cindy Axne, was a digital political consultant with Middle Seat Digital, and worked as an Event Content & Program Manager at Amazon Web Services. Taylor has volunteered on multiple national and statewide
political campaigns. She is a graduate of Ankeny Community Schools.
Taylor can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7027.
Email Taylor
Matt Vinsand
Convention Independent Consultant
Matt Vinsand has been the Convention Consultant with the Iowa Association of School Boards® since 2009. He is a graduate of Texas Lutheran University.Matt can be reached via email or by calling (402) 677-1768.
Email Matt
Devanne Metzger
Student Intern
Devanne Metzger has been the Student Intern at IASB® since 2024. In her role, Devanne will work with all IASB team members to support them in the areas of communications and events, graphic design, and special projects. She will have the opportunity to learn about the broad range of services IASB provides its members, including board development, governance, policy, and advocacy.Prior to joining IASB, Devanne was an intern at KIVI Social, a social media agency, where she focused on graphic design, research, and social media platform management. She is currently a senior at Iowa State University, working toward her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Devanne is a graduate of PCM Community Schools.
Devanne can be reached via email.
Email Devanne
Contact
Iowa Association of School Boards®
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
6000 Grand Ave., Ste. A
Des Moines, IA 50312
direct (515) 288-1991
fax (515) 243-4992
© 2017–24 Iowa Association of School Boards®
14.2.2024.7