A world where youth are valued and empowered to stand strong.
Our Impact
- 301 kids were paired with a mentor
- 108 youth served in Residential Addiction Treatment
- Treatment services provided 21,336 counseling sessions
- 12,981 families served
*2020 Data
Our Mission
To create hope and opportunity by putting kids first.
Our Core Values
Commitment + Collaboration + Compassion + Innovation + Integrity + “Can Do” Spirit
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Our Leadership
The YSS leadership team represents a diverse array of specialties and expertise, with an overarching commitment to our mission of creating hope and opportunity by putting kids first.

Andrew Allen
President and Chief Executive Officer

Belinda Meis
Chief Operating Officer

Amanda Briggs
Chief Financial Officer

Amy Doyle
Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Toby O’Berry
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers & Transitional Services Director

Andrea Dickerson
Director of Behavioral Health

Gerri Bugg
Community Youth & Family Development Director

Terri Johanson
Associate Vice President of Child Welfare

David Hicks
YSS of Marshall County Director

Shanda Hansen
Francis Lauer Community Based Center Director

Dan King
Information Technology Director

Anna Andrews
People Development Director
Our Boards
Nahla Atroon
Youth Representative
Jim Black
James R. Black & Associates
Gary Botine
Mary Greeley Medical Center
Jeff Brinkley
Mason City Police Department, Mason City Advisory Board Member
James Bucher
Todd and Sargent
Tim Day
Iowa State University
Kim Houston
Burke Corporation
Patrick Kremer
Marshall/Hardin County Advisory Board
Erin Baldwin
Iowa State University
Mona Everson
Life and Health Care
Randi Peters
VenuWorks
Mike Phillips
Greater Iowa Credit Union
Monica Porter
ISU Foundation (Retired)
Joseph Barrett
John Deere Financial
Nate Carr
Cyclone Regional Training Center
Suzy Shierholz
Story County Community Foundation (Retired)
Brian Torresi
Davis Brown Law Firm
Lindsey Long
Iowa State Athletics Development
Sam Byriel
Boone County Advisory Board
Jim Baker
Retired
Ron Birkestrand
Osweilers, Hamilton County Community Advisory Board
Robert Knight
Tamim Mahayni
McFarland Clinic
Kyle Mertz
TrueNorth Companies
Deb Fennelly
Drew Nelson
DMACC
Eileen Patterson
Nevada Middle/High School
Amy Pieper
ISU Extension of Marshall County
Dalton Robey
Youth Member
Doug Robey
Martin Marietta
John Russell
Bankers Trust
Charles Small
Iowa State University
Jonathan Swanson
Community Representative
Susan Tucker
Ross Willburn
State Representative
Robert Waggoner
Taylor Williams
NIACC
Karen Wickert
Chemist (Retired)
Libby Zaletel
IHYC Community Advisory Board
Boone County
Judy Albritton
Deanna Anderson
Carolyn Finnestad
Lorraine Hamel
Sandi Johnson, Chair
Leone Junck
Marlene Moffitt*
Joyce Peterson
Joseph Russell
Gloria Stearns*
Geralyn Timm
Judy Tungesvik
Gregg Williams
*Emeritus
Hamilton County
Sonia Rodriquez, Chair
Marian Johnson
Doug Bailey
Kathy Birkestrand
Ron Birkestrand
Barb Franzen
Logan Welch
Connie Ingraham
Jean Kayser
Thomas McLaughlin
Gayle Olson
Francis Lauer
Youth Services
Raymond Beebe, Chair
Michael Davis
Shanda Hansen
Chief Jeff Brinkley
Heidi Venem
Jesse Waters
Jennifer White
Taylor Williams
Shannon Wooge
Tracy Wynn
Tracy Worley
Pat Tomson
Marshall County
Fred Lembke
Meri Edel
Michael Tupper
Kaylee Howe
Amy Pieper, Chair
Pat Kremer
Natasha Schultz
Chris Vaughn
Norma Meade
Madi Hardman
Ken Fox
Fauna Nord
Iowa Homeless Youth Centers
Marcy Baker
Joseph Barrett, Vice-chair
Jessica Bastian
Steve Becker*
Judy Blank
Marguerite Boss*
Gina Christian
Linda Cowger-Russel*
Sonny Fox*
Lois Ichelson*
Laura Jontz
Alison Kanne
Nathan Lentz
Gene Loverink*
Michael Myszewski*
Magda Lippold
Mary Oliver
Amy Oliver-Peters
David Repp*
Jack Segal
Mary Sheka
Bridget Shapansky
Sandra Suarez
Betty Torgerson
Dave Vaudt*
Patrick Willer
Libby Zaletel, Chair
*Emeritus
Careers
If you’re interested in helping children, youth and their families have a brighter future, you may be a good fit for YSS. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, or just getting started, there are many rewarding positions available across the state. View current openings, learn more about our benefits and apply today.
A Brief History
YSS strives to provide spaces that are free from discrimination. As a beneficiary of USDA commodities, please see the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement for more information.
Locations
No matter where you are in Iowa, we’re here to help. Use the map below to find a YSS location near you.
