YSS Announces New Leadership

YSS is pleased to welcome new leaders across the agency.

Mark VanderLinden – Chief Financial Officer

Mark VanderLinden has been named the Chief Financial Officer for YSS. VanderLinden is a seasoned finance leader in healthcare, most recently serving as the chief financial officer of Clive Behavioral Health. He has worked for numerous mid-sized organizations, with leadership experience in general accounting, AP, AR, payroll, revenue cycle, and more.

VanderLinden will begin his new role on June 26. He will lead YSS’s finance and IT teams, in addition to serving on the senior leadership team.

VanderLinden received his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Cedarville University. He is also heavily involved in his community and is currently a volunteer counselor and board member for the IRBC Youth Camp in Ventura, Iowa.

Lisa Behrends – Director, Iowa Homeless Youth Centers

Lisa Behrends was promoted to Director of Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, a YSS organization in Des Moines. Behrends previously worked as YSS’s Des Moines-based Development Director. With a passion to empower underserved and marginalized individuals, she is committed to using leadership and engagement to help the world become a more equitable place.

“When we as leaders share our resources and wealth of knowledge with one another, we are much stronger as a community and can make positive, sustainable changes,” Behrends said.

Behrends is an active member of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and is a 2023 graduate from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program.

Sarina Flathers – Development Director

As the new Development Director at YSS, Sarina Flathers is passionate about collaboration, generating enthusiasm, and initiating change. Flathers has worked at YSS for over seven years, beginning as a YSS Kids Club Supervisor after graduating from Iowa State University. She enjoys building her network and investing her time and energy into cultivating connections.

“I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Development Director to continue bridging the community to impact the lives of youth across the state,” Flathers said.

During the summer, Flathers enjoys bonfires with the neighbors, camping at the racetrack, and strolling around the Ames farmer’s market. She is a YSS Mentor, an active member of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, and a Leadership Ames participant.

Damizelle Kauzlarich – Community Based Center Coordinator, YSS of Hamilton County

Damizelle Kauzlarich started working with YSS in November 2018 at the Eldora Boys State Training School as an Outpatient Addictions Coordinator. She is excited to expand her role and serve as the YSS of Hamilton County Coordinator part-time in addition to her current responsibilities.

As Coordinator, she will oversee growing YSS’s community engagement activities in Hamilton County, including managing the local board and grants. “I am so excited to be in this new position at YSS, and I look forward to building YSS of Hamilton County to its fullest potential,” Kauzlarich said.

Kauzlarich attended Buena Vista University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, camping, and kayaking.