Tammy Votava

Associate Executive Director, Communications & Events

Tammy Votava has been the Associate Executive Director of Communications & Events since 2022, previously serving as Communications Director for the Iowa Association of School Boards^® (2015–2022). She works to build understanding, involvement, and ownership in the mission and key work of the association by leading and implementing effective communications, public relations, media outreach, and member engagement strategies. Prior to joining IASB, Tammy managed video production, graphic design, marketing and research for a local consulting firm, including projects for the Iowa Department of Education, which fostered her strong passion for public education.

Tammy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Drake University. She and her husband, Greg, run an animal shelter out of their garage for stray raccoons, opossums, and cats, including Dexter, Marty, Sophie, and Meowy. Tammy graduated from Nodaway Valley Community Schools.

Tammy can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7040.

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Yve Sojka

Communications Specialist

Yve Sojka has been the Communications Specialist at the Iowa Association of School Boards^® since 2018. Her work involves taking information from across the association and translating it into graphic designs for easy comprehension, including publications, infographics, website management, animation, videos, and marketing materials.

Yve earned a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Visual Communications and Graphic Design from Sam Houston State University. Prior to joining IASB, she was a web and graphic design specialist at a Texas college, and later, a senior litigation graphics designer in NYC. Yve currently works remotely from Salt Lake City, where she is a skater for a nonprofit roller derby league. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, leatherworking and riding her motorcycle.

Yve can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7036.

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Jeff Rohrick

Membership Specialist

Jeff Rohrick has been the Membership Specialist at the Iowa Association of School Boards^® since 2018. In his role, Jeff administers the IASB membership database, tracking essential data for all K–12 districts, area education agencies, and community colleges. He provides reporting services to IASB staff, connects members with IASB resources, facilitates the annual trade show, and provides editorial support to the Communications Team.

Prior to joining IASB, Jeff taught K–12 Speech Communications & Theatre in Indiana and was a database administrator for Ingram Entertainment. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech & Theatre education from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Truman State University. Jeff is a graduate of Des Moines Independent School District.

Jeff can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7047.

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Taylor McGill

Advocacy & Digital Media Specialist

Taylor McGill has been the Advocacy & Digital Media Specialist at the Iowa Association of School Boards^® since 2023. In her role, Taylor assists the Communications Team with an emphasis on government relations and school finance. Taylor provides website updates, with a special focus on the government relations and school finance sections, writes and edits a variety of web and print content, coordinates bill tracking, analysis and registration, organizes event logistics and assists with marketing, public relations and member communications. In addition, Taylor hosts the BoardCast podcast and assists with a range of tasks relating to the development of IASB's legislative platform. 

Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication with a minor in political science from Drake University. Prior to joining IASB, Taylor worked for Rep. Cindy Axne, was a digital political consultant with Middle Seat Digital, and worked as an Event Content & Program Manager at Amazon Web Services. Taylor has volunteered on multiple national and statewide political campaigns. She is a graduate of Ankeny Community Schools.

Taylor can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-7027.

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Emily Miller

Convention & Events Director

Emily Miller has been the Convention & Events Director at the Iowa Association of School Boards^® since 2023. In her role, Emily leads efforts to plan, implement, and evaluate IASB learning events for school board members, superintendents, and other school leaders, including the Annual Convention and Trade Show, statewide conferences, and digital learning initiatives.

Emily began her career in education serving as a choir director at the secondary level. Most recently, Emily served as the Director of Choirs with Newton Community Schools. In Newton, she also served as the Music Department Chair and a Building Instructional Leader to support the implementation and growth of district initiatives in the classroom. Emily holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Drake University and is a graduate of Urbandale Community Schools.

Emily can be reached via email or by calling (515) 247-4699.

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Matt Vinsand

Convention Independent Consultant

Matt Vinsand has been the Convention Consultant with the Iowa Association of School Boards^® since 2009. He is a graduate of Texas Lutheran University.

Matt can be reached via email or by calling (402) 677-1768.

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