The Iowa Initiative is a program that aims to reduce the high rate of unintended pregnancies among Iowa women ages 18-30 through networking, research and public outreach. We are traveling the state to open dialog and make this a mainstream, main street conversation.  And, by collaborating with established providers around the state, we will increase access to family planning services and information.  Headed by Iowa’s former First Lady Christie Vilsack, the Iowa Initiative will serve as a model to prevent unintended pregnancies nationwide. 

The Iowa Initiative Research Program, conducted in conjunction with the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham, includes five studies designed to increase knowledge, persuade adult women to seek and access contraception if they wish to delay or prevent pregnancy, and improve contraceptive behaviors.

If you'd like to contact us for more information, we can be reached via email at iowa@iowainitiative.org  or via phone at 515.282.5375.

Please view the members of our staff and board below.
 

Christie Vilsack, Executive Director Former First Lady Christie Vilsack has been actively involved in strengthening communities in Iowa and nationally by advocating for family literacy, public libraries, school libraries, and computer and technology literacy. Through a partnership with the National Center for Family Literacy and the Verizon Foundation, Christie helped create the Tech Savvy Awards to identify programs across the country that bring parents and children together to learn to use technology effectively and safely and to help parents advocate for 21st Century skills in schools.  In addition to her commitment to literacy, Christie has long supported healthy adolescents by sponsoring the Young Women's Health Conference, and promoting community programs that build confidence in young women like BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman) Girl Talk, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. In addition to her work as Executive Director of The Iowa Initiative, she serves on the Board of Directors of Reach Out and Read and for the Iowa Center for the Book.

 

Sally J. Pederson, Senior Advisor For many years Sally Pederson has been a devoted advocate for those whose voices often go unheard - the developmentally disabled, women, children, racial minorities and LGBT youth and adults.  Sally served as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007.  During her time in office she led successful efforts to expand access to health care for children, require insurance coverage for mental illness, and create 1000 new units of affordable housing for people with diabilities.  She has served as President of Polk County Health Services, as Board President for the Autism Society of Iowa, and as a member of the boards of the National Alliance for Autism Research (now Autism Speaks), Blank Children's Hospital, the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, and the State Special Education Advisory Panel.  Currently she is chair of the Advisory Board for the REACH program at the University of Iowa, a model 2-year college program for students with multiple learning disabilities.  She is also a trustee of Union Theological Seminary in New York, a director of the Northwest Area Foundation, and co-chair of the capital campaign for the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center.

Debra Madison-Levi, Director of Operations A life-long Iowan, Deb is an accomplished administrative expert, experienced in concept development, planning and execution, as well as team building and management. She has helped to manage the business affairs of Iowa executives in the fields of government, law, aviation, construction, banking, medical and health sciences.  Deb was a member of the discussion panel at Harvard University on “The Next Frontier of Shared Services in the Public Sector.” She is also a recipient of Simpson College’s Lifetime Experience Portfolio, awarded in the academic fields of Art, Communications, Computer Science, English, Management, Physical Education, Political Science, Science and Sociology.

 

Laura Riordan, Special Projects Manager With years of experience working in the public sector, Laura brought her organizational and communication skills to the Initiative in June 2010. She has previously worked as then-Secretary Patty Judge’s executive assistant at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship; a communications specialist for the Department of Administrative Services; and also was called up to serve a temporary assignment with the communications office of the Rebuild Iowa Office, which was formed in response to the floods of 2008. Laura is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public administration from Drake University in Des Moines.

 

Mary Losch, PhD. Dr. Losch is the principal investigator for the Iowa Initiative Research Program.  She is a Professor of Psychology and Assistant Director of the Center for Social and Behavioral Research at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).  In addition to her teaching duties, she has collaborated with more than 80 investigators in the planning and oversight of a host of survey and evaluation projects including a number in the areas of public health behavior and public policy issues.  Her own funded research efforts have focused on the relationship between attitudes and infant feeding decisions, unintended pregnancy and women's access to prenatal care.  Dr. Losch has an extensive background in human research participant protections and quality standards.  She is currently serves as the Standards Chair for the American Association for Public Opinion Research.

Lee Clancey Lee Clancey brings a variety of experiences from the business, government and education sectors to her position as President and CEO of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.  In addition to serving as Mayor of Cedar Rapids for six years, she has served as Executive Director of the downtown Renaissance Group, as a Business & Industry Training Coordinator at Kirkwood Community College and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Iowa. Most recently, Lee has served as a partner in Tricend, a business consulting firm, and as a mediator with Compass Mediation Services.  She currently holds leadership positions in numerous local and state organizations, including the Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary, Tanager Place, Cornell College, Diversity Focus, Technology Corridor Business Alliance and the Iowa State Judicial Grievance Commission.

Elizabeth Dilley Reverend Elizabeth Dilley is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and has served as Pastor and Teacher at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Red Oak since August 2003.  She also works part-tme as a Regional Educator for Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa.  In addition, she serves as board chair for the Iowa Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Elizabeth lives in Red Oak with her beagle, Leroy Brown, and in her spare time serves on the Red Oak School Board, the YES (Youth Experiencing Success) Mentoring Program Board, and is active in the Montgomery County Ministerial Fellowship and the Iowa Conference UCC's outdoor ministry program.

Irving Jensen Jr.  Irving Jensen is a life-long resident of Sioux City, Iowa.  After attending Sioux City Public Schools, he graduated from Yale University's School with a B.S. in Industrial Administration.  After college, Mr. Jensen served our country in the U.S. Air Force for two years.  When his enlistment ended, he returned to Sioux City and was employed at Jensen and Krage Contractors in Sioux City, a predecessor of Irving F. Jensen Company.  Mr. Jensen was Secretary-Treasurer and Director of a group of family-related companies that employed approximately 600 people.  Mr. Jensen continues to reside in Sioux City with his wife, five children and thirteen grandchildren.

Susan Knapp Susan Knapp is Vice President of Marketing for Knapp Properties, Inc. Susan holds many unique types of recognition.  She is the co-founder and first president of the Association of Women Contractors, a past member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and was appointed by Governor Robert D. Ray to the State Employment and Training Council. She was a member of the Graceland University Board of Trustees. She received the prestigious Women of Enterprise Award from the Avon Corporation and the Small Business Administration in 1988.  She is a member of various advisory boards and currently serves on the Des Moines Art Center and Planned Parenthood Board of Directors.  She authored the book "Bells Goes To The Fair", published in 2002 and selected by Iowa First Lady, Christie Vilsack, for her literacy program.  Susan donated all proceeds from the sale of her book to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Andrea McGuire Dr. Andrea McGuire is presently the Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for the American Republic Insurance Company and World Insurance Company. Andrea serves on multiple boards focused on her interests in health, woman and children. She serves on the University of Iowa School of Public Health Board of Advisors, the Des Moines Partnership Board and the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board. She is also the President of the Creighton University National Alumni Board and a member of the Board of Directors of Creighton University. She has been involved in many ways with United Way including co-chair of Woman's Leadership, and the loaned executive program. Her advocacy for health, women and children led her to run for Lt. Governor of Iowa to emphasize these issues.  Andrea has received many accolades including the Des Moines Business Record's "Women of Influence".

Alba Perez Alba Perez currently serves as the Diversity Development Director of The Greater Des Moines Partnership.  Originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Alba moved to Des Moines 22 years ago and now calls Iowa home.  In addition to her responsibilities at the Partnership, Alba also promotes and produces cultural events in Des Moines.  Alba has provided assistance to the International Relations group in the Partnership's Latin American trade programs.  She was a Business Record Publications' Forty Under 40 Honoree in 2004, and received the Latina Business Leader Award in 2004 from the State of Iowa Human Rights Division, as well as the 2007 Passport to Prosperity Honoree from the Iowa Council for International Understanding.

Louise Porter Louise Porter is currently the President and Development Director of KBBG Radio in Waterloo, Iowa, a position she has held since 1980. She has served on many community committees involving education, employment and health with organizations such as the Cedar Valley Cancer Committee, Covenant Foundation of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, United Sisters of Black Hawk County, Wartburg National Advisory Board and the National Black Child Development Institute.

Yogesh Shah, M.D., FAAFP, CMD Yogesh Shah, M.D., FAAFP, CMD, is associate dean for global medicine at Des Moines University.  He is triple board certified in family medicine, geriatrics, hospice and palliative medicine.  Dr. Shah enjoys working with other physicians, students and organizations serving the public, including DMU's partner institutions, the World Health Organization and the World Food Prize.  He is currently appointed as temporary advisor to the WHO.  He is a past commissioner for the Iowa Department of Aging and has served on many boards including the Board of Medical Examiners, Alzheimer's Association and American Medical Directors Association-Iowa Chapter, to name a few.  He has presented at the local, national and international levels.  Along with global health work and assisting students, Dr. Shah has a special interest in the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Mary Stier Mary Stier is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Brilliance Group, LLC, based in Des Moines, Iowa.  Prior to this, Mary enjoyed a 25 year newspaper publishing career with Gannett Co., Inc. She served as President and Publisher of The Des Moines Register, the Rockford (IL) Register Star and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Mary also served as Senior Group President for Gannett's Midwest and SunCoast Newspaper Groups.  Mary chaired Gannett's "Beyond 2000" program which created strategies for the future of newspapers and chaired Gannett's "RX Task Force", which developed strategies and prototypes to attract and retain younger readers.  These highly innovative approaches were adopted companywide and are modeled throughout the industry today.  Her community involvement includes serving on the Civic Center of Des Moines Board of Trustees, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Community Development Board, the JDRF 2002 Hope Gala and the Drake University Board of Trustees.

Thomas Temple Thomas Temple is the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA), a position he has held since 1980. He also serves as CEO of the Iowa Pharmacy Foundation and Pharmacy Network of Iowa -- two subsidiary corporations of the IPA.  Thomas is a member of several professional organizations including the IPA, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Association Executives and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations.  He has served as a Board member for Quality Assurance, Inc., the Pharmacy Marketing Group and Health Connect, as well as a member of numerous professional committees.  He has also served as a member of Pharmacy Advisory Boards for Upjohn, Glaxo, Merck, and Mallinckrodt.  Thomas' leadership has been recognized through receipt of several awards including APhA's Gloria Neimeyer-Francke Leadership Mentor Award, the University of Illinois' College of Pharmacy Alumnus of the Year Award and University of Iowa College of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumni Award.

Maggie Tinsman Senator Maggie Tinsman served as the 41st District Senator for Iowa from 1989 to 2006, and as Assistant Majority Leader from 1991 to 1996. During her 18 years as a State Senator, she has served as Chair, Co-Chair, and/or Ranking Member for three Senate subcommittees that appropriate funds for health, human services and human rights programs.  She has also served on several Iowa State Committees, including the Healthy Community Advisory Committee, the Medicaid Advisory Committee, Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Commission and the Covering Kids & Families Now Task Force.  Maggie has recently been appointed to the Lt. Governor's Commission on Wellness and Healthy Living, and continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the American Lung Association of Iowa, and the Early Childhood Business Community Council, among others. She has been recognized for her leadership by the American Heart Association, the Coalition of Family and Children Services in Iowa, and the Iowa Coalition for Housing and Homelessness, and the American Lung Association of Iowa.

 

 

The Iowa Initiative To Reduce Unintended Pregnancies ® | 300 E. Locust, Suite 245 | Des Moines, Iowa 50309 | 515.282.5375 | iowa@iowainitiative.org