
Staff
The Young Women’s Resource Center has a full-time staff of passionately dedicated people who make sure our mission is carried out every day. These are the people who bring the Young Women’s Resource Center to life and who carry out its programs and objectives.
Staff
Felicia Banks-Wagner
Felicia is our Young Moms Specialist: Postpartum and Parenting team member and provides direct programming and support for parenting young moms. Her key duties include coordinating and implementing postpartum and/or parenting groups onsite and within schools, supporting participants through individual support, and supporting bi-annual client events.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Marcia Bradley
Marcia is our Art Therapist and specializes in creative counseling techniques. She provides voluntary and confidential counseling services for our girls and young women in schools and at the YWRC.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Elhondra Brazzle
Elhondra is one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She actively prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, including our Black Girl Magic group.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Ayo Davis-Yeboah
Ayo is a Therapist for the YWRC and specializes in Person-Centered counseling techniques. They provide individual and group counseling at the YWRC, schools, and community
organizations.
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Sy'Anne Dysart
Sy'Anne is one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and After School groups at the YWRC.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Gary Elliston
Gary is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.
Pronouns: He/His/His

Tony Jackson
Tony is one of our Transportation Specialists. He ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.
Pronouns: He/His/His
Berenice Liborio
Berenice one of our Empowerment Program Specialists. She prepares for and facilitates Empowerment Groups within the schools and After School groups at the YWRC.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Susana Martinez
Susana is our part-time Volunteer Coordinator. She coordinates and schedules volunteers for childcare, participant meals, and Y-Dub Club projects. Susana also organizes in-kind donations and drives.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Julia Mason Gray
Julia is the Senior Director of Development. She is responsible for leading and managing fund development activities including major donor and legacy giving. Julia is also the lead of annual YWRC fundraising events.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Jennifer Mesecher Ogg
Jenny is our Finance, HR and Data Director. Jenny manages the YWRC finances, including overseeing the entire organizational budget. She also manages the program results database.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Erin Moran
Erin is our Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs. She is responsible for all of the YWRC's marketing and communication efforts and oversees the External Affairs team. She is also the lead for community special events.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Liliana San Elias
Liliana is our Office and Transportation Manager. She provides administrative support, office and building management, and reception duties. Liliana also coordinates transportation to and from the YWRC so participants can attend programs and access resources.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Olga San Elias
Olga is one of our Transportation Specialists. She ensures our participants get safely to and from YWRC groups and programs.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Jewelz Smith
Jewelz is the Young Moms Program Specialist and Doula Coordinator: Childbirth Educator, Doula, CLS. She actively prepares for and facilitates Young Moms Groups within the schools and at the YWRC, provides clients with individual support, and coordinates our Better Beginnings Doula Program. Jewelz is also certified to provide breastfeeding support.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Brenda Vasquez
Brenda is our Bilingual Young Moms Specialist: Child Birth Education. They provide direct programming and support for parenting and pregnant young moms at the YWRC and in Greater Des Moines schools.
Pronouns: They/She
Kari Zimmerman, LMSW
Kari is our Executive Director. She leads all staff and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers