Anna Stamat, M.S., Director
National Certified Guardian
Anna.Stamat@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 712.898.9397
Fax: 888.207.8912
Founder of Guardians of Northeast Iowa, Inc. and a National Certified Guardian, Anna graduated in 2010 from Capella University earning a Master’s Degree in Human Services, Nonprofit Management. In 1984 she graduated from St. John’s University earning a BS in Human Services & in 1982 from LaGuardia Community College earning an AA in Human Services. Anna considers herself to be a professional advocate for individuals with disabilities. She has provided support services to individuals that live with disabilities and mental illness in the areas of case management, personal development, skills development, and educational services. Anna has recently retired from working at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) as the Coordinator of Disability Services.
Brandi Brecht, Operations Manager
Brandi.Brecht@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 563.419.2443
Fax: 563.265.5791
Sherri Carolan, Accounting Manager
sherri.carolan@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 563.419.2443
Fax: 563.265.5791
Katie Rich, Guardian Case Manager
National Certified Guardian
Katie.Rich@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 563.387.7199
Fax: 877.384.2487
Katie, serving as a Guardian Case Manager, is a National Certified Guardian serving the clients in the Cedar Valley and North Central Iowa. She has been a foster/adoptive parent for 12 years, specializing in the care of teenaged children. She is a First Responder and has volunteered for several nonprofit organizations in the U.S and abroad, working both directly with indigent populations and in administration. She loved serving as a library director for 10 years, is passionate about supporting libraries, and is an avid reader.
Cheryl Oldenkamp, Guardian Case Manager
National Certified Guardian
COldenkamp@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 712.490.9885
Fax: 319.289.7015
Cheryl, serving as Guardian Case Manager in Western Iowa, is a National Certified Guardian serving clients in western and northeast Iowa. Cheryl graduated from Wayne State College with a BS in Psychology and is well versed in Medicaid services, including HCBS Waivers. She was a Targeted Case Manager with Woodbury County Social Services for 20 years, working with the ID and BI populations. She then worked for a Managed Care Organization as a Community Based Manager and Crisis Specialist before moving on to Director of Social Services at a local nursing facility.
Kelly Merta, Guardian Case Manager
National Certified Guardian
Kelly.Merta@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 319.440.5128
Fax: 319.289.7015
Kelly, serving as Guardian Case Manager for our Eastern region, is a graduate of Northern Iowa with a BA in Social Work. She has been in social services for nearly two decades, working as an Income Maintenance Worker for the Linn County Protective Payee office for three years and then as a Targeted Care Manager with Linn County Mental Health and Disability Services for 10 years. She was also a Community Based Case Manager under Managed Care for 6 years prior to starting with Guardians of Northeast Iowa. She has worked with individuals of all ages who have traumatic brain injuries, mental health needs, cognitive disabilities, and/or physical disabilities.
Trista Stangel
Trista.Stangel@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 563-419-7806
Fax: 563-551-4548
Trista, serving as Guardian Case Manager for our Central Iowa region, was born and raised in Northern Minnesota by Lake of the Woods and moved to Charles City, Iowa when she was about 11. Trista moved around Iowa as an adult and now lives in Mitchell County. She has 3 boys who are 16, 9, and about to be 8 who keep her on her toes with sports and other activities. Trista has been in the military for 20 years and plans on retiring in the near future. She has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and has started working on her Masters. Trista has been in the Human Services field since 2015, working as a case manager with Lutheran Services in Iowa and a mobile crisis supervisor with Elevate. She loves to help and work with people in need as it, “gives me a feeling of purpose and success. I love seeing people succeed in life and love that I am able to help be a part of their success stories through all the hard work they put in“.
Makeba Manago, Guardian Case Manager
Makeba.Manago@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 319.830.9857
Fax: 319.287.7025
Makeba, serving as Guardian Case Manager for our Eastern/Central region, has served persons with disabilities in the Cedar Valley for over 7 years. As previous direct support provider at Exceptional Persons, she transitioned into acute care shortly after graduating from University of Northern Iowa with BA in Social Work in 2017. She interned at Allen Mental Health Unit and was employed as Mental Health Navigator for 4 years. With taking a different approach in the social work related field, Makeba briefly utilized her skills as brain injury case manager at Brookhaven Neuropsych Rehab Hospital, in Tulsa OK. Makeba also has previous experience as social service coordinator in long term nursing care facilities. Makeba brings a great spirit to our team and strives to assure individuals are able to maintain a safe and stable lifestyle.
Susie Schaul
Susie.Schaul@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 563-419-9949
Fax: 563-888-8645
Susie, serves as Guardian Case Manager for our Eastern Iowa region. She has been in the field of social work for 20+ years. She has experience in a variety of settings starting with providing overnight support to women and children at the Madge Phillips Center, a homeless shelter, while working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Mount Mercy University. She
went on and received her Masters of Social Work from St. Ambrose University. From there, she spent 7 years at the Department of Human Services working in child welfare both as a child/dependent adult abuse investigator as well as a case manager supporting families in reunification efforts as well as finding another planned permanent living arrangement when reunification wasn’t possible. She has provided case management services to both
adults and children receiving Home and Community Based Waiver Services including the ID, BI, PD, Health & Disability, Elderly & Children’s Mental Health Waiver Services as well as individuals receiving habilitation services. In her 15 years combined as a case manager, she worked at Delaware County Community Services, DHS Targeted Case Management, Child Health Specialty Clinics as well as with 3 managed care organizations. She loves building relationships with people and helping them live their best life and knowing that I am a part of their story.
Our Board Members
Elaine Morse, Board Chair, Elaine has worked as an accountant in both the for profit and not for profit sectors for 35 years, and as a chief financial officer, takes joy in supporting numerous nonprofit boards with her professional experience. She is passionate about race and social justice including the fight to end human trafficking, and the support of children in foster care.
John Ellingson, Board Secretary, DHS Investigator.
Becky Woller, Board Treasurer, has over 30 years of experience in the finance industry. From bookkeeping to payroll to cost accounting, she has done it all. Becky holds a bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting and received her Master of Business Administration in 2014. She is currently a Principal Financial Analyst with Boston Scientific Corporation in the Global Business Services division. She is also an active member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pillar within this division. Along with her full-time gig, Becky is the owner and president of Woller Financial Services, helping small businesses achieve their goals by managing their accounting needs. Becky feels strongly about advocating for people’s rights and is honored to work with the Guardians in carrying out their mission of assisting vulnerable individuals.
Marcia O., Retired.