OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS
Teresa Bomhoff
President
Teresa Bomhoff retired from USDA Rural Development in 2011 after 39 years of service in business , environmental and energy programs.
Teresa Bomhoff retired from USDA Rural Development in 2011 after 39 years of service in business , environmental and energy programs. Her primary retirement job is as a professional volunteer for a number of organizations including LWV Metro Des Moines. Primary interest areas are legislative, climate change/environment and advocating for persons with disabilities. Awards and recognition have been given in her retired profession and in many advocacy efforts. Teresa is a life-long Iowa resident with two adult children and their families.
Mary Ellen Miller
Co-Vice President
Mary Ellen Miller is a seventh generation Iowan with a life-long interest in sustainable land use andhealthy environments.
Mary Ellen Miller is a seventh generation Iowan with a life-long interest in sustainable land use and healthy environments. She grew up in rural Iowa in the 50's an discovered the value of regenerative land conservation practices while a 4-H'er. She purchased her first farm in Washington County in 1975 and for twenty years raised and custom sold organic angus beef. She currently operates Rose Haven Farm in Wayne County, IA, focused on developing perennial food crops. Miller serves as a Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner, is Secretary/Treasurer for the Wayne County Conservation Foundation, President of the Iowa Nut Growers Association, Treasurer of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust and serves on the National 19thAmendment Society Advisory Council. Miller has long been a League of Women Voters member; in the past she served on the Iowa State LWV Board, chaired its Land Use Study and currently serves as Vice-President/Program Chair of the Metro Des Moines League and President of the LWV Upper Mississippi River Region.
Karen Person
Co-Vice President
Karen’s passions from childhood have been art and advocacy. After teaching K-12 art in rural Fredericksburg, IA, for four years, she got her master in School Psychology and worked as a school...
Karen’s passions from childhood have been art and advocacy. After teaching K-12 art in rural Fredericksburg, IA, for four years, she got her master in School Psychology and worked as a school psychologist for Area Education Agency 7 (serving schools in counties around Cedar Falls) for over 20 years. During that time, she was active with ISEA, serving twice as president of her local AEA7 Education Association, and also as president of the Hawkeye Uniserv Unit/ISEA out of Waterloo. ISEA gave her lots of experience and confidence with advocacy. She was also a member of Black Hawk-Bremer Counties League of Women Voters. In 1999, she and Jo Ann Finkenbinder organized a LWV program on sentencing and prisons which made the headlines of the Waterloo Courier the next day! Energized by this experience, Karen & Jo Ann chaired a study on sentencing and corrections in Iowa that lead to our current position on the topic for LWVIA. Karen moved to Des Moines in 2023 and worked until 2010 as a school psychologist for Des Moines Public Schools. She began serving as a Board member for League of Women Voters of Metro Des Moines in 2023. She served as president of the local League from 2008 – 2010. She has continued to serve as a Board member – with one year off – since that time, including positions as secretary, programming chair, membership chair, roster manager, and currently as co-vice president. She is most proud of recruiting bright and thoughtful members into our ranks, including recruitment of Dr. Deborah Turner, who became president of the LWVUS. She continues to enjoy art with trips to the Des Moines Art Center, and advocacy, with lobbying trips to the Iowa Capitol.
John Olsen
Recording Secretary
Has been a voting rights champion for over 30 years. His biggest passion is registering new voters. Currently, he serves as the League of Women Voters - Metro Des Moines secretary and as co-chair of the Voter Registration and Education Committee.
Has been a voting rights champion for over 30 years. His biggest passion is registering new voters. Currently, he serves as the League of Women Voters - Metro Des Moines secretary and as co-chair of the Voter Registration and Education Committee. He is also active in his local branch of the NAACP as the NAACP Des Moines Branch's Political Action Chair. On the first day of early voting each election, John strives to be the first voter in Polk County. Every single Election Day, you will find John working as an election official at a polling site around the Des Moines metro area. In addition, John collects political memorabilia and owns the nation’s largest collection of nonpartisan “Get Out The Vote” items. As often as possible, he displays artifacts from his collection to promote civic engagement and action. In both the collecting world and political circles around Polk County, IA, John is well known by his alter ego, Dr. Vote.
Noreen O'Shea
Treasurer
Noreen O'Shea is a family physician with 38 years of experience, having worked in Kentucky, New York, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Noreen O’Shea is a family physician with 38 years of experience, having worked in Kentucky, New York, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Most of her professional life was spent caring for underserved and uninsured patients in Federally Qualified Health Centers. She also taught at Des Moines University from 2014-2023. She has retired from working at paid positions but still volunteers as the medical director of the Clive Free Clinic, while still precepting students in this setting.
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Her other interests are in Biomedical Ethics (she completed a Masters in Ethics from Loyola University of Chicago in 2023) and spirituality, especially as it impacts the medical profession.
Christie Gerken
Elected Director
Christie Gerken, a sixth-generation Californian, grew up in Palo Alto. She has a BS in Social Science with an emphasis in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnic & Women’s Studies from California State University, Chico, along with a Paralegal Certificate in Public Law.
Christie Gerken, a sixth-generation Californian, grew up in Palo Alto. She has a BS in Social Science with an emphasis in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnic & Women’s Studies from California State University, Chico, along with a Paralegal Certificate in Public Law. Her passion for advocacy grew when she joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), where she served as a Community Resource Specialist Educator working in domestic violence. After spending more than 28 years working in mental health, Christie attended Drake University to earn her MS in Rehabilitation Counseling concentrating on Mental Health Recovery. Her introduction to the importance on voting rights was working at Disability Rights Iowa as a PAVA Coordinator (Protection & Advocacy Voting Advocate) with people living with disabilities throughout the state of Iowa, advocating for voter education and voting registration efforts. Christie was called out of retirement in 2023 with FEMA/SAMSHA as a Covid Recovery Iowa Crisis Counselor with ISU and currently is on staff as a “on-call” member and working with HHS Recovery Iowa as a part-time outreach counselor. A dedicated member of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Des Moines since 2013, she has volunteered with the Voter Education Committee and is currently the Co-Coordinator Lead on the committee, all the while balancing time living between Omaha and Des Moines.
Open Position
Elected Director
Mary Chapman
Appointed Director
Mary Chapman earned her Education Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University, Education Specialist’s degree from Drake University, M.S. from Iowa State University and her B.S. degree, also from Drake.
Mary Chapman earned her Education Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University, Education Specialist’s degree from Drake University, M.S. from Iowa State University and her B.S. degree, also from Drake.
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Dr. Chapman had a rich career in education beginning as a teacher and principal in the Des Moines Public School District (DMPS). After 15 years with DMPS, she joined Des Moines Area Community College, where she provided leadership as the Executive Dean of Urban Campus and Vice President of Community and Workforce Partnerships.
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Since retiring, she continues to devote her time and energy as an advocate for economic, social and racial justice, mentoring, and enjoying life with family, friends, arts and culture.
Stephanie Asklof
Appointed Director
Stephanie Asklof grew up on a farm in Nebraska, attended the University of Nebraska and Drake University
Stephanie Asklof grew up on a farm in Nebraska, attended the University of Nebraska and Drake University. She was employed by the Des Moines Public Schools for 33 years, working in middle schools as a teacher, Dean of Students, and Vice Principal. Following retirement from the school district, Stephanie worked as a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway First Realty for a number of years. She is currently retired, and she and her husband spend as much time as possible with their 5 children and 11 grandchildren - NONE of whom live in Des Moines!
Victoria Henderson-Weber
Appointed Director
Lettie Prell
Appointed Director
Lettie Prell had a 36-year career within several state of Iowa justice system agencies, culminating as research director of the Iowa Department of Corrections prior to her retirement.
Lettie Prell had a 36-year career within several state of Iowa justice system agencies, culminating as research director of the Iowa Department of Corrections prior to her retirement. She also writes science fiction and fantasy stories, which have been published in many magazines, reprinted in various anthologies, and translated into several languages. Originally from Illinois, she moved to Des Moines to attend Drake University and made that city her permanent home following graduation. A proud, childless cat lady, she is equally proud of her husband, step-daughter, and new step-granddaughter.
Shannon Brisbois
Appointed Director
I grew up in Persia, Iowa until I graduated high school. I moved to Cedar Rapids, IA and lived there for 10 years.
I grew up in Persia, Iowa until I graduated high school. I moved to Cedar Rapids, IA and lived there for 10 years. While there I managed a daycare and worked as an associate in the Linn Mar district. I moved to Des Moines in 2015 and worked in insurance, service industry, and politics. I have always been involved in politics, volunteering for several candidates and then finally working in politics. I have been working in Iowa politics since 2019.
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I got involved with hopes of being able to continue helping and empowering people to create positive changes in their communities. Growing up in rural Iowa, then moving to a city, I realized how little attention rural Iowans receive. My goal is to help create a community where we all feel important, heard, and empowered.
Judy Peters
Appointed Director
Judy Peters grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, got married, and graduated from Mankato State University.
Judy Peters grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, got married, and graduated from Mankato State University. Her first career of 32 years was with the State of Iowa in workforce service delivery and information technology (IT) management. During her career, she held multiple positions with the Hamilton County League of Women Voters. After inheriting a portion of her generational family farm, she began her second career actively farming the land. She is involved with multiple organizations concerning sustainability of family farms, agricultural, environmental , conservation practices, and public health. She has renewed her involvement with the League of Women Voters recognizing the importance of having our voices heard supporting women’s issues. She resides in Norwalk and has 4 outstanding grandchildren.
COMMITTEES
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is made up of the elected officers of the elected officers of the League of Women Voters Metro Des Moines. This committee is responsible for organizational governance, operations, finances and general board development.
Programs and Legislative Advocacy Committee
The Programs and Legislative Advocacy Committee is made up of League of Women Voters Metro Des Moines volunteer members. This committee is responsible for developing and hosting educational events to inform and engage those in Metro Des Moines on issues determined by local, state, and National League of Women Voter policy priorities.
Voting Rights & Registration Committee
The Voting Rights and Registration Committee is made up of League of Women Voters Metro Des Moines volunteer members. This committee is responsible for education efforts regarding voting rights and increasing voter registration.
Membership and Community Engagement Committee
The Membership and Community Engagement Committee is made up League of Women Voters Metro Des Moines volunteer members. This committee is responsible for increasing membership and membership and community engagement.