Nathan White is the Marketing Director of the Karl Auto Group. His team motivates customers for one of the top 10 largest Chevrolet dealers in the country through advertising, events, and e-commerce.

Previously, he was the Creative Services Director at KCCI in Des Moines, Iowa where his team worked to grow the audience through advertising.

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 where he held various marketing roles. In 2017, he moved to Iowa for the role at KCCI.

Nathan joined the AAF Des Moines board in 2019.

Fun Fact: He has participated in two hot air balloon races.

As an Account Supervisor at ZLR Ignition, Chantelle enjoys building strong relationships with clients and internal teams. She is known for her resourcefulness, attention to detail, and friendly smile around the office. After starting her career in nonprofit marketing, she enjoys helping clients such as The Iowa Clinic, Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services help people find their “well.”

She holds a bachelor’s in marketing from Drake University and enjoys volunteering with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and Brook Run Neighborhood Association. In her free time, you can find her spending time with her husband, chasing her 4-year-old around, and attending live music shows.

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.

Ryan is the Director of Sales at Local 5 (WOI/KCWI) in Des Moines, where he helps businesses grow and support a great team at the office. He was born in England and has called Iowa home since 2020. Outside of work, he serves on the board for Young Variety – the Children’s Charity, chases around his three boys, and tries to sneak in a round of golf (though his handicap wouldn’t suggest he should).

Kathy Wiseman is the Senior Commercial Producer at KCCI in Des Moines. She’s worked at the station since 2011 in various roles starting as a production assistant, then newscast director, before making her way into the Creative Services department. She enjoys telling the stories of Iowa’s businesses and the challenge of crafting that brand for a specific audience. She’s been honored with 2 regional Emmy wins.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV Production from Drake University and makes a point to attend the Drake Relays every year (no matter the weather) following a tradition set by her own alumni father.

Alexis DeCook is an Art Director at Meyocks, where she has spent the last four years designing visual content that supports marketing strategy and brand development.

Her work spans a variety of channels, including digital ad campaigns, email marketing, blog graphics, and new business proposals. She also creates data visualizations, charts, and presentations that help simplify and communicate complex information to both internal teams and clients.

Alexis earned her degree in Graphic Design from Simpson College. She enjoys combining thoughtful design with strategic communication and values collaboration across teams.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Hero. In her free time, she can often be found checking out a local brewery or doing yoga outdoors when the weather’s nice.

• Hi there — I’m Madeilline Preston!

I bring a well-rounded background in marketing that spans print and digital branding, on-air radio and sales, marketing automation, and client experience across both pre- and post-sales touchpoints. With more than a decade of experience wearing many hats, I’m passionate about helping brands show up meaningfully — and helping people feel seen in the process.

Now in my second year with AAF Iowa, I’m excited to keep the momentum going! I’m committed to elevating our presence, programming, and partnerships while being a nearby resource for both the board and our broader metro marketing community.

Lisa Lewis has been a dedicated member of AAF of Des Moines since 2010. She served as Executive Director for seven years and has contributed in several other board roles. She has also supported the organization’s programming efforts for many years.

Since graduating from Iowa State University in 2006, Lisa has worked in various marketing and communications roles. Her career started at Kum & Go Corporation, developing and executing marketing strategies, followed by seven years as a marketing consultant and project manager. She currently serves as the Director of Communications at Valley Church in West Des Moines. Lisa is committed to supporting and strengthening the advertising community in Des Moines.

Taylor Blanchard serves as the Senior Director of Marketing at Fareway Stores, where she brings over a decade of diverse marketing experience and strategic leadership to the role. Since launching her career in 2011, Taylor has held a variety of positions across the marketing spectrum, developing deep expertise in areas such as web strategy, SEO, copywriting, direct mail, digital media, and traditional advertising.

Her passion for media is matched by a keen analytical mindset—Taylor thrives on interpreting data and uncovering trends that drive informed, impactful marketing decisions. She is known for blending creativity with strategy to deliver results that resonate with both customers and stakeholders.

Taylor is thrilled to join the AAF Board, where she looks forward to collaborating with fellow professionals and contributing to the growth of the marketing and advertising community. She is especially excited to share her enthusiasm for marketing and education, and to help inspire and support the next generation of industry leaders.