Our Team

“I love hearing how our members gain freedom, confidence, and independence through their efforts.  It’s important to me that my children and grandchildren see me working in a role that helps our community.”

Prior to joining Able Up Iowa, Lynette spent most of her career helping individuals with disabilities develop and achieve their career goals. As Financial Empowerment Director, Lynette continues to assist people in achieving their goals, now in a much broader range. Lynette has also rediscovered how much she enjoys working with those who are aging, having worked as a nurse’s aide in high school. 

Lynette believes everyone deserves to have their basic needs met and to have a path to move beyond the basics. She enjoys her position at Able Up Iowa because she feels the mission aligns with her values.

Able Up Iowa is proud to work with Kara, owner of GDG Services.

GDG Services provides complete, cost-effective payroll services, help their clients dig deeper into their financial situation and find opportunities for tax savings, provide meaningful and practical solutions to address the issues facing businesses, and provide comprehensive tax planning and preparation of all tax returns.

In addition to covering Able Up Iowa’s payroll and accounting services, Kara has donated much of her own time to support Able Up Iowa. She is always willing to lend her expertise; whether it be data collection, budget planning, or grant writing, we can always count on her.

"I'm so excited to be part of the coaching family at Able Up Iowa!  The team is dedicated to helping anyone and everyone in Iowa needing or wanting assistance.”

Rebecca has been a Realtor for over 15 years and has worked with Able Up Iowa for the past few years as we've expanded our lending and coaching programs. Rebecca cared for her father in the last 6 years of his life as he dealt with many health issues. She has a lot of empathy and compassion for people facing challenges personally or in their families.

Rebecca knows now more than ever there is great need for financial resources, planning, education, and general support. She believes that the newly expanded programs of Able Up Iowa will help Iowans pull out of the devastating financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is happy to be a part of this effort as she lends her expertise as an Able Up Iowa coach.

“I am excited to be working for Able Up Iowa, since I am passionate about helping people and feel very enthusiastic about sharing resources that can help someone move forward in their life.”

Jamie lives in Ames with her two children, guide dog and two cats. Jamie earned my Bachelor of Social Work degree from Penn State University and then her Master’s in Counseling from Iowa State University.  She has over 30 years of experience working in a variety of fields that includes the elderly, low-income individuals, college students with disabilities and families with children with special needs.

To Jamie, being a social worker isn’t just a profession, but a part of who she is. Jamie believes in working in partnership with clients, utilizing their strengths to help them sort out their challenges and achieve their goals

I moved from Missouri to Iowa June 2021 to be close to my brother and his family. I heard about Able Up Iowa and how they help all people with disabilities and the aging get loans that they can afford. I wanted to join Able Up Iowa so I could do my part in accomplishing their mission.  I was employed with Able Up Iowa through a temp service July 2021 and got hired on a year later. My experience comes from working with mortgage companies for 27 years. I love my job and all my co-workers because everyone involved with Able Up Iowa really works hard to help people anyway that they can.

Jeff Williams was named Interim Director in November 2022 and is excited to continue learning how to assist Iowans in securing crucial financial support and education.  

Kate bio

Kalyn is a former classroom teacher and current financial educator who joined Able Up to help where necessary. He is currently working to update the technology systems that allow us to serve Iowans as efficiently as possible.