Your disability and mental health advocates
The Disability Rights Iowa team is experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about fighting for the rights of Iowans with disabilities or mental illness. We work together to promote safety, opportunity, access, and self-determination for all Iowans with disabilities and mental illness. As attorneys, paralegals, and advocates, it is our duty to defend the rights of Iowans with disabilities through legal and non-legal advocacy.
Meet Our Team
Catherine Johnson
Executive Director
Cyndy Miller
Legal Director
Jim Kain
Financial Director
Katie VandeVorde
Operations Manager
Emily Van Kirk
Paralegal
Charlene Joens
Senior Advocate
Nathan Kirstein
Staff Attorney
Scott Lyon
Staff Attorney
Emily Ehlers
Staff Attorney
Whitney Driscoll
Staff Attorney
Vanessa Santos-Nila
Bilingual Intake Specialist and Outreach Coordinator
Charissa Flege
Staff Attorney
Emmanuel Smith
PABSS Advocate
Mistie Johnson
WIPA Project Director
Tammy Crouch
WIPA Coordinator
Jenny Lynes
WIPA Coordinator
Katelynn Schultz
Communications Coordinator
Jami Johns
Advocate
Jen Winchell
Advocate
Lacee Be
Intake Specialist and Voting Rights Advocate
Need Our Help?
Fill out our intake form.
Want to Learn More?
Explore our resource center.
