2025 EIHRA Board
2025 EIHRA Executive Officers
President
Emily Bertino Honings serves as the Director of Human Resources for Guaranteed Rate Affinity, a joint venture partnership between Anywhere Real Estate Inc. and Rate, one of the United States’ largest mortgage lenders. Prior to her HR experience, Emily was a people leader in the fashion industry for 10+ years, working for retailers like Bloomingdale’s and Tory Burch. Emily has an Executive MBA from the University of Hawaii, a Master of Human Resources Management from the University of Southern California, and is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt-certified through Purdue University. Emily was also recently named one of ‘The Top Women Leaders of Iowa’ for both 2023 & 2024 by ‘Women We Admire’.
President-Elect
Lucas Sperfslage serves as a Human Resources Manager for the City of Marion, bringing nearly seven years of HR experience to his role. He began his HR career as a Human Resources Business Partner with Tata Consultancy Services and has since developed expertise across multiple facets of the profession. Lucas earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Iowa and achieved his SHRM-SCP certification in April 2024. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, and seeking out new adventures.
Past-President
Sarah Brown is currently the Human Resources Director at Kirkwood Community College and has worked in various Human Resources roles for ten years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Iowa and a MBA- HR emphasis from Upper Iowa University. Sarah received her Society of Human Resource Management, Certified Professional in 2018. In 2020, Sarah was a recipient of the Corridor Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award and has a passion for the corridor region. Sarah is married and has three children. She loves spending time with her family, dogs, friends, reading and being active with fitness.
Treasurer
Barb Schulte is the Sr. Manager, Human Resources with Kinze Manufacturing, Inc. and previously worked in the healthcare industry for 20+ years, starting in the finance department and transitioning into the HR Manager role where she built the HR department. Her passion in HR is with strategic planning, developing systems and programs, analytics, compliance, and training. She has been a member of EIHRA since 2013, is SPHR and SHRM-SCP certified and has been on the EIHRA Board of Directors as Treasurer since 2020. She has lived in the Cedar Rapids area for most of her life and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Secretary
Melinda Pollmeier is the Director of Human Resources at Area Substance Abuse Council in Cedar Rapids. The majority of her 15+ year HR career has been spent working with non-profit social service organizations ranging in size from 100 – 1,000 employees. This, along with experience as outsourced HR and a large insurance company has provided her with a broad knowledge of HR and Benefits, though her favorite work is with employee relations. Melinda has a BS in Psychology from Iowa State and an MBA from Upper Iowa University, along with the PHR and SHRM-CP designations. Originally from SE Iowa, Melinda and her husband have lived in multiple locations in Iowa and Illinois and moved to Cedar Rapids in 2017. She likes to use her PTO to take cruises and go camping. In her other free time, she enjoys reading mysteries, buying too craft supplies projects that will likely never be finished, and attempting to train their four-legged puppy roommate. Melinda is looking forward to contributing to the EIHRA group and meeting other area professionals.
2025 EIHRA Committee Chairs
Certification Chair
Amber White is currently the Director of Human Resources at Stamats Communications, Inc. At Stamats, she is an HR department of one and wears many hats in her day-to-day role. She received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and realized her passion was in the HR side of management. She started her career at GoDaddy.com and progressed through many roles there before leaving in 2019 and finding Stamats. “It has been the best thing finding Stamats, I am able to dive into the company strategy and still be on the first line of helping employees with questions.” She has been a member of EIHRA for 2 years and looking forward to the Student Liaison Chair. Outside of the Stamats walls, Amber lives in Cedar Rapids with her two very active children. She enjoys cheering her children on with their activities, trying new recipes, gardening and is looking forward to adding urban chickens to her backyard this Spring.
Membership Chair
Amber Hoff is currently a Mental Health Therapist, Executive Coach, and Human Resources Consultant through her own business for almost 7 years. Amber started working in Human Resources to assist businesses in creating more mentally health workplace cultures and ensuring that employee experience is high on an employer’s “must haves”. She has her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as her SHRM-CP. Amber has a passion for ensuring that each person is empowered and heard, allowing them to live their lives in a fulfilling and purposeful way. Amber enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs, reading, crocheting, and watching the Minnesota Wild through yet another roller coaster season.
PR/Networking Chair
Sue Wilber works for the City of Marion as an HR Specialist. She has worked in human resources for 20 years in various roles within both private and public sector. She received her BA from Wartburg College and her MBA through the University of Dubuque. Sue loves making new connections with people. She is an alumni of Leadership for Five Seasons and a current Leadership Iowa participant. Outside of work, Sue enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, running, and reading.
Student Liaison Chair
Kaylee Wurth 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
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Sarah Woods is a lifelong Iowan with over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, having worked across industries including airlines, manufacturing, energy, financial services, and tech she currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for DockYard, Inc. Sarah initially established DockYard’s first-ever HR function and later expanded her role to include operational and financial responsibilities. She also acts as the company’s Board Secretary and as a Trustee of its non-profit foundation.
Sarah received her bachelor’s and MBA from the University of Iowa. A lifelong learner, Sarah wanted to stay connected to her HR roots so she joined ISHRA 3 years ago and recently rejoined EIHRA. She is also a member of the Professional Women’s Network of Eastern Iowa and is a volunteer advisor with 81cents, an organization dedicated to helping underrepresented individuals negotiate for equitable compensation.
When Sarah is not spending time with her husband and two spoiled Pomeranians in Marion, Iowa, she is working on home renovation projects or reading nonfiction books with Iowa football or wrestling on in the background.
Communications/Newsletter Chair
Lauren Noble, Human Resources Business Partner and Adjunct Faculty at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Part of Kirkwood Community College.
Lauren is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), with a BS in Management and a minor in Economics. After a long and rewarding career at General Electric, with leadership positions of increasing responsibility in the GE Captial Operations team, ultimately serving as a Global Learning and Development Leader, supporting 2000 employees worldwide. Because of the many outstanding HR professionals she worked with at GE, she then pursued a job in Human Resources. She is SHRM-SCP certified and now serves as the HR Business Partner for The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, and serves as an adjunct faculty for the department of Business and IT. Lauren is married and has 3 daughters and 3 dogs and loves to spend time with them traveling, hanging out or playing games.
Programs Chair
Sarah Brown is currently the Human Resources Director at Kirkwood Community College and has worked in various Human Resources roles for ten years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Iowa and a MBA- HR emphasis from Upper Iowa University. Sarah received her Society of Human Resource Management, Certified Professional in 2018. In 2020, Sarah was a recipient of the Corridor Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award and has a passion for the corridor region. Sarah is married and has three children. She loves spending time with her family, dogs, friends, reading and being active with fitness.
Diversity Chair
Sreeja Sreelatha is a Talent Acquisition Supervisor 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 is the HR Manager at Thompson Truck & Trailer, now a part of Ascendence Truck Group. For 15 years she has been in human resources in transportation, manufacturing, retail, and law. Missy graduated from William Penn University with a bachelors in HR Management and received her associates from Kirkwood in Paralegal Studies. She also holds the SHRM-SCP designation. Prior to a career in HR, she was a legal assistant for many years. Missy is also on the Linn Co. Ag Council and part of the Personnel sub-committee. During her free time, Missy enjoys spending time with her family road tripping in their Jeep, going to concerts, watching Fever basketball and her daughters and granddaughter in competitive cheerleading.
Sponsorship Chair
Grace Bowling is currently the HR Specialist at IFP Motion Solutions and wears many hats within the company. She recently achieved her SHRM-CP in July, and she loves making new connections within the HR field. Grace is very passionate about prioritizing mental health in the workplace and keeping a good work/life balance. Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with family and friends and staying active. Whether that is golfing, playing pickleball and sand volleyball, or going to the gym. She also considers herself to be a foodie and loves to try new restaurants.