Committee Chairs

Certification Chair

Amber White

Amber White is currently an HR Manager at Frontier Co-op. At Frontier, she works with an HR team who is responsible for recruiting, benefits, safety, wellness and so much more. She has been in the HR field for over 15 years and worked with many areas within HR. She has been a member of EIHRA for 4 years and is looking forward to being the Certification Chair. She remembers attending the study group while preparing for her SHRM-CP and was grateful for the insight. And she very much remembers seeing PASS on the screen after completing the certification. Outside of work, Amber lives in Cedar Rapids with her two very active children. She enjoys cheering them on in their activities, trying new recipes, gardening and is always up for a DIY project.

Membership Chair

Amber Hoff

PR/Networking Chair

Sue Wilber

Sue works for the City of Marion as an HR Manager. She has worked in human resources for 20 years in various roles within both private and public sectors. She received her BA from Wartburg College and her MBA from the University of Dubuque. Sue loves making new connections with people.  She is an alumnus of Leadership for Five Seasons and a graduate of Leadership Iowa.  Outside of work, Sue enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, running, and reading.

Student Liaison Chair

Kaylee Wurth

Kaylee is currently an HR Project Manager at CPM Holdings and has worked there for over three years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Business Management and an emphasis in Human Resources. She also has a certificate inn Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Along with Kaylee’s role on EIHRA, she is also the College Relations & Emerging Professionals Director the Iowa SHRM State Council. Outside of work and SHRM, Kaylee enjoys spending time with her family, going on walks, and yoga!

Workforce Readiness Chair

Nicole Eales

Nicole Eales, MBA, MMCM, SHRM-CP, is the Employee Relations Manager at Mercy Medical Center, where she supports more than 3,000 employees by leading employee relations strategy, providing guidance on workplace policy and conflict resolution, risk compliance, employee investigations, and organizational culture.  With over 20 years of experience in leadership, human resources, and compliance, Nicole is passionate about fostering trust, engagement, and growth within the HR community. Nicole is passionate about philanthropy and equipping women in leadership in her board member roles at Marion Cares and Professional Women’s Network. Previously on the Eastern Iowa Human Resource Association board in 2024, Nicole is happy to be serving EIHRA again. Known for her integrity, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership, Nicole is committed to supporting HR professionals across Eastern Iowa. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys racing between her sons’ sports events, cooking, studying nutrition, and finding creative ways to decorate her home. She also loves fashion and is an avid listener of self-improvement books—always on double speed.

Website/Newsletter Chair

Andrew Vaughn

Andrew J. Vaughn serves as the Chief Optimization Officer for Eastern Iowa Health
Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he leads organizational effectiveness, workforce
culture and strategy, and technology innovation across the organization. He brings more
than 20 years of leadership and human resources experience across healthcare,
military, insurance, electrical engineering, and e-commerce industries. Throughout his
career, Andrew has focused on building high-performing teams, strengthening
organizational culture, and creating environments where people can do meaningful,
mission-driven work. His highest priority is finding ways to genuinely advantage the
people around him. Andrew completed his education while working full-time, earning an AAS in
Management Development from Kirkwood Community College, a BBA in Business from
Mount Mercy University, and an MBA from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of
Business. He is a SHRM Certified Professional with advanced facilitation training in
Crucial Conversations and FranklinCovey programs. Andrew has been actively involved
in local professional and community boards and has volunteered with Junior
Achievement of Eastern Iowa for more than 20 years. Andrew and his family live in Ely, Iowa. His wife, Kristin, is an artist and owner of Hillside Studio, specializing in handmade polymer clay earrings. They have three children—Layla, Parker, and Will. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys watching his kids’ activities, going to movies, reading, home projects, and riding his motorcycle. A lifelong Cubs fan, he remains firmly convinced that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Programs Chair

Kelly Dybvig

Kelly Dybvig is a dynamic human resources leader with a proven track record of building
impactful relationships, designing effective programs, and implementing processes that foster
talent development and retention. With extensive experience across organizational
development, performance management, employee engagement, and HR strategy, she excels
in aligning HR functions to achieve business objectives. She brings a wealth of expertise in
leadership coaching, team facilitation, succession planning, and change management. Known
for coaching and mentoring teams to drive strategic business outcomes, Currently serving as Assistant Vice President of Organizational Development at United Fire Group (UFG) Insurance, Kelly provides consultation on leadership development, employee engagement, and change management. Kelly has led the design and implementation of key programs, including succession planning, performance excellence, and leadership development, fostering organizational growth and talent retention. With a Master's in Organizational Leadership and certification as a Professional Coach, Kelly is committed to supporting organizations and individuals in navigating complex HR challenges while empowering leaders to excel. She combines a deep understanding of HR strategy with a passion for developing future leaders and fostering high-performing teams.

Diversity Chair

Sreeja Sreelatha

Sreeja is a Talent Acquisition & Development Manager at Kirkwood Community College with an MBA and 8 years of diverse HR experience across various Industries. She is an active member of the diversity team at Kirkwood and Community colleges for Iowa. Living in Cedar Rapids, she enjoys traveling, exercising, and dancing in her free time. Sreeja is married and a proud mother of a daughter. Passionate about fostering inclusivity, she blends her professional expertise with Personal enthusiasm for cultural enrichment.

Legislative Chair

Missy Albert

Missy is the HR Manager at Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc. For 15 years, she has been in human resources in multiple industries. Missy graduated from William Penn University with a bachelor's in HR Management and received her associate's in Paralegal Studies. She also holds the SHRM-SCP designation. Prior to a career in HR, she was a paralegal for many years. Missy is also on the Linn Co. Ag Council and is Chair of the Personnel sub-committee. During her free time, Missy enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her daughters and granddaughters in cheer. 

Sponsorship Chair

Michael Rozum

Michael Rozum is a Senior Advisor at Gallagher. Michael has been in the employee benefit industry since 2011 and has had the pleasure of working with many companies as a resource and partner in the health, life, disability, dental and vision markets. He earned his Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation in 2022. Michael works proactively with employers to implement cost-effective, value-based employee benefit packages to help attract and retain employees.

Education:

BA from Coe College

Credentials/Experience/Recognition:

• ·         Member of the Local Chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU)
• ·         Past President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) of Eastern Iowa
• ·         2025 NAIFA Four Under 40 Award Recipient
• ·         Past President of the Cedar Rapids Sunrise Rotary
• ·         Leadership for Five Seasons Graduate – Class of 2018