Chantelle has spent a large part of her career in health care marketing, including her start leading fundraising events and communication support for the Alzheimer’s Association. Her keen attention to detail and demonstrated success in building relationships with client and internal teams help make Chantelle an effective leader, overseeing marketing efforts for clients such as The Iowa Clinic, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, HOME, Inc., and NCMIC.

Prior to joining ZLR Ignition, Chantelle worked as an account executive with The Integer Group where she led product support for Pella Corporation, developing new product launch materials and managing extensive product detail across segments.

Chantelle spent the early part of her career in nonprofit marketing, 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with majors in marketing and entrepreneurial management from Drake University. Chantelle still engages her passion for public service through volunteering for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Brook Run Neighborhood Association. In her free time, you can find her spending time with her husband, son, and three pets, enjoying live music, and volunteering.

Nathan White is the Creative Services Director at KCCI in Des Moines, Iowa. He began working in television as a News Photographer in Kentucky. After four years covering events like the Kentucky Derby and flying over breaking news in a helicopter, he transitioned to Creative Services in 2010 as a Writer/Producer at WLKY-TV. He was promoted to Assistant Creative Services Director in 2015. In 2017 he moved to Iowa to become the Creative Services Director at KCCI.

Nathan’s team has been honored with three regional Emmy nominations and a ProMax nomination during his tenure. They were recently honored with a silver American Advertising Award by the Des Moines chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Tara Linden became a member of AAF throughout her time at the University of Northern Iowa. She served as the VP of Community Outreach and further competed in the 2022 National Student Advertising Competition – District 9. Her team placed 1st in the district and 14th in the nation with their campaign for Meta Quest. After graduation, she wanted to stay involved in the organization and connect with business professionals in the metro. Tara is a Design Specialist at Pella Corporation where she creates realistic photo renderings that let you see how your home could look with new windows or doors. She’s a critical thinker with equal parts strategic and creative. 

Scott Horton is a media producer and live event video director with more than 20 years of experience as a creative in sports, entertainment, and higher education. He started his career in Nashville as a graphics designer in the touring music industry before taking on a creative director role at his alma mater, Purdue University, working for both the academic and athletics sides of campus. In 2022, he arrived in Des Moines as a motion designer, video editor, and producer for Studio Iowa.

Scott spent over a decade serving on the American Advertising Awards committee for the North Central Indiana chapter of AAF where he utilized his design and event production experience to produce some truly unique award celebrations. This is his first year serving with AAF of Des Moines.

Scott and his wife Maria enjoy exploring the city with their two children and miniature schnauzer, Yennefur of Vengerbark.

Joanna Schroeder, APR has been professionally practicing in the field of journalism and communications for more than 25 years. She kicked off her career in advertising and PR for internet start-up companies and eventually became a freelance reporter and marcom consultant with an expertise in alternative energy and agriculture.

In college, I took an advanced grammar class with a fellow word nerd just for fun. We were the only two students there by choice. I’ve always loved writing and, more importantly, storytelling. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, majoring in communication arts.

I started as a police reporter at the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque, Iowa. I eventually wrote stories and designed pages for the TH’s features department. Today, I work remotely as a content development specialist at Dupaco Community Credit Union, headquartered in Dubuque. (Dupaco recently opened a branch in Grimes, Iowa!) And I’m still telling stories. I create content focused on financial well-being—leading with members’ stories whenever I can—for our website, eNewsletters and other channels.

I live with my husband, three children and two squirrel-obsessed cockapoos. We long dreamed of living closer to family. And during the pandemic, we seized the opportunity, moving from Madison, Wis., to West Des Moines, Iowa. We’ve loved exploring our new community with some longtime residents, my sister and her children.

Wendy joined Meyocks in 2021 as a digital content writer after spending 10 years as a freelance copywriter and content creator primarily serving small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives. She loves the support she’s found at Meyocks and enjoys the encouragement to Mean More every day.

Outside of Meyocks, Wendy spends her time making music both as a solo artist and as part of the ukulele cover band, Britches & Hose. She is also hooked on creating social media content, her ever-expanding backyard garden, and traveling the world. Her little family consists of her husband Joel, stepsons Quintin and Dyllan, cats Hex and Toby, and dog Gus.

Tom has been an active member of the AAF of Des Moines board for the past six years holding a number of volunteer positions. His work in the role of government relations director has been recognized both regionally and nationally. Tom is a past president of the AAF of Des Moines and has held additional leadership positions at the regional level including Lt. Governor, National Student Advertising Competition Chair, Governor, and Chairman of the AAF District 9 Board, representing Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. 

This year Tom joined the AAF Central Region Board, representing clubs in middle America, as Vice Chair. Professionally, Tom works at Freeman, a global agency and leader in events. Tom works with creative agencies and corporate clients to find creative solutions around their events, trade shows, experiences, and activations across the country.

Lisa Lewis has been a member of AAF of Des Moines since 2010. She served as the Executive Director for seven years, has assisted with several other roles on the board, and has been the Programs Director for the last two years.

Lisa has worked in the marketing field in different capacities and roles since she graduated from Iowa State University in 2006. She spent four years developing and executing marketing strategies for Kum & Go Corporation, then seven years as a marketing consultant and project manager, and is now the Associate Director of the Valley Community Center in West Des Moines. Lisa is passionate about connecting with and building up the advertising community in Des Moines.

Hi! The name is Madeilline Preston. I am accompanied by a background of variety; spanning from print to digital branding, on-air radio to radio sales as well as marketing automation, pre/post sales and client experience/project management. I am ready to take part in bringing AAF Des Moines to the next level! Based in Grimes, Iowa, I want to serve as a near-by resource for not only our board but our metro as a whole.