Jennifer Brown - President
Jennifer Brown graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Russian. She is a Cytogenetic Technologist, providing patients with chromosome analysis for both cancer and congenital studies. Jennifer's oldest son became involved in YAAL's summer programming starting in 2015, at the age of 5, and her youngest son started taking classes in summer 2019, at the age of 7. Jennifer loves to watch the students at YAAL, including her own two boys, grow and develop skills and confidence through the instruction provided in performing arts. She is honored to help YAAL continue its mission as an inclusive educational academy.
Amanda Stratman - Vice President
Amanda S. graduated from The University of Kansas with a Masters in Social Work. She has worked for Southeast Community College since 2017, and is currently The Director of Student Accommodations. In this role she is dedicated to providing students with equal access to education programs. Amanda's daughter has been involved with YAAL since Fall 2021, and has thrived in this environment. She has watched the growth & lifelong friendships her daughter has gained with this organization even as she has moved into the teen program. This prompted her desire to give back and support YAAL, and it's mission to provide inclusive educational opportunities for students interested in learning about performing arts.
Kelby Hansen - Treasurer
treasurer@yaal.org
Bio coming soon.
Diane Gabelhouse - Secretary
Diane graduated from Doane University with degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education, and later received a Master of Education in Curriculum and Education. Diane is currently a substitute teacher and Pack Leader with her local Cub Scout pack. She found a love for YAAL after both of her children began the educational classes offered here. Diane found that learning about acting was not the only thing that her children took from YAAL, but also the people they met. She was compelled to give back to YAAL after seeing fun, accepting, positive, and encouraging instructional environment that is promoted here. She wanted to be involved to spread YAAL's educational programming to more kids in the community.
Molly Andersen
Molly graduated from Concordia University with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Education. She has been an educator for the last 16 year. Molly's oldest daughter has been involved with YAAL for the past few years, which has sparked a love of musical theatre throughout their household. Due to this experience, Molly was inspired to give back to YAAL and it's educational mission to help bring this opportunity to other students.
Alicia Bacon
Bio coming soon.
Amanda Essink
Bio coming soon.
Kevin Nykodym
Kevin has an Associate of Applied Science degree from Southeast Community College. He has been with Fiserv since 2003 where he started as an Application Developer and now serves as Director of Application SRE for Digital Banking. Kevin's oldest daughter got involved with YAAL in 2019 and youngest daughter joined the YAAL family soon after. Kevin wanted to give back to YAAL's educational program to help ensure other students are able to learn and develop the foundation of performing arts.