Anna Stamat, M.S. Director of Programming and Development
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.
Susan Cornforth, Director of Operations and Finance
Susan.Cornforth@guardiansofneia.org
PH: 563.419.2443
Fax: 563.265.5791
A native of New England, Susan is an Iowa transplant with a heart for service. For most of her career, she worked in the corporate world in administration and finance. After spending a year volunteering in rural Bolivia a decade ago, she changed careers and earned her Masters Degree in international development. She has worked for nine years at Iowa nonprofits in operations, administration, finance and fundraising, and brings a fresh perspective to Guardians of Northeast Iowa as the organization grows and expands to serve more disabled and elderly people in Iowa with guardianship, conservatorship and representative payee services. She lives in Waverly with her husband and combined dog/cat household, and has three children and three grandchildren with whom she is always delighted to spend her spare time.
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 Guardia 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
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.
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.
Our Board Members
Larry Grimstad, Board Co-Chair, served as CEO of Decorah Bank and Trust Company in Decorah, Iowa for 25 years. After his retirement from banking he began a career in wind and solar power development and has been a Climate Change Activist. He has also served on several non-profit boards in the Decorah area for the past 55 years.
Elaine Morse, Board Co-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., Director, Retired.