Board Openings

The following Board positions will opening in April 2021:

President-Elect, 3 yrs
Member at Large, 2 yrs
East Regional Representative, 3 yrs
Media Representative, 2 yrs
2 - University of Northern Iowa Student Representative, 1 yr
2 - University of Iowa Student Representative, 1 yr

IITRA was established to serve as an advocate for the Therapeutic Recreation profession to promote the health and well being of the public through service, education, research and development and enforcement of standards.  

Board Members are expected to attend 12 one-hour monthly meetings of the Board each year as well as participate in assigned subcommittees.  Please see IITRA by-laws for additional details.  
Meetings are held the first Friday of each month at 12 pm with an April meeting the night before the Annual Conference and the first meeting of the year immediately following the conference on Friday. Meetings are via Zoom Web-Conferencing in addition to a host setting. 

The Board shall supervise and direct the affairs of IITRA, shall determine its policies or changes therein, within the limits of the by-laws, and actively promote its purposes.  Board Members participate in deliberation on IITRA matters, contribute to formulating decisions, assist in carrying out recommended actions, monitor committee functions, and make reports as required. 

The Offices of President, Past President, President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer, Members-at-Large and Regional Representatives of ITRA shall be reserved for professional members and associates in good standing.  Members of ITRA must be employed or reside in the State of Iowa.

If you are interested in being nominated for one of these positions, please email adrienne-johnson@uiowa.edu as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance for stepping up to lead and better the profession of Therapeutic Recreation.

2021 Board Nominees

President-Elect Nominees

Hannah Lundeen, CTRS

My passion for helping people with disabilities can be traced back to my pre-professional days. Whether as a volunteer in special needs ministry or interning with Joni Eareckson Tada. I’ve been on this trajectory since I was 13 years old. The reason? I love creating opportunities for those who don’t have them. Right now, that’s providing sports and recreation opportunities for Iowans with physical disabilities.  Being the Director of Adaptive Sports Iowa comes with many opportunities for me to fulfill my passions. Within my first year I was able to create a new program that brings professionals from across our state together to address the needs and issues of sports and recreation for people with disabilities. I was also able to implement a new wheelchair tennis program, a 400m wheelchair race at the Drake Relays, and an adaptive division at the Grand Blue Mile.
Outside of the office, I’m constantly moving and traveling! I love to see the world and discover new little adventures in everyday life, even if it’s a quick ride on the mountain biking trails in Des Moines. I live to connect with everything around me whether it’s through horseback riding in the woods, grabbing ice cream with a friend, or hosting a bonfire. There’s always something new to see and try.

Two-Year Member-at-Large Nominees

Christine Hess, CTRS

 I currently work as an Activity Coordinator at Lakeview Lodge Assisted Living which is part of Friendship Village in Waterloo. We have 40 residents and are memory care specific.  I started at Friendship Village in December of 2020 and obtained my CTRS July of 2020. My first Activity Director job was at NorthCrest Specialty Care in Waterloo, which is a skilled nursing facility. I had my internship at Garnett Place in Cedar Rapids. During college I worked as a CNA at Mercy Hospital for three years on the medical floor and hospice. My last two years of college I worked as  a CNA at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City and for the last year as a Master Playologist at the Iowa Children’s Museum in Coralville. I enjoyed volunteering with Special Olympics and Courage League Sports. Thank you for this opportunity. ​

Ashley Clark, CTRS

​I am a recent graduate from the University of Iowa where I obtained a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation, a certificate in Disability Studies, and minors in Social Work and Sport and Recreation Management. I have recently begun working as a Leisure Specialist at Link Associates, where we serve adults with intellectual disabilities in the Des Moines area. Thus far I have been able to experience a wide variety of in-person and virtual activities through our day-hab program, along with our brochure activities in the community and with Special Olympics. I welcome the opportunity to serve as a Two-Year Member-at-Large.

Eastern Regional Representative Nominee

Adrienne Johnson, CTRS

Adrienne Johnson has held an academic appointment as Lecturer in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Iowa for five years..  She has been a candid advocate for inclusive recreation, presenting on the subject at conferences in the state of Iowa, regionally at the Midwest Symposium on Therapeutic Recreation, and internationally in Canada and the U.K. Her professional affiliations include the role as a Scientific Committee Board Member with the International Network on Inclusive Recreation and Past President of IITRA.  Adrienne also holds several local committee positions with Special Olympics Iowa, serving both the East Central Area and State Winter Games. Prior to her academic appointment, she had ten years of experience as an administrator in the field of inclusive recreation and leisure services.

Media Representative Nominee

Whitney Brohammer, CTRS

I graduated from UNI in 2017 with degrees in Recreational Therapy and Family services. Following graduation I completed my recreational therapy internship at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in adult behavioral health. Shortly after the completion of my internship I served as the Activities Director at Milestones in Marion working with adults of all ages and abilities. During this time I also served as a member at large on the IITRA Board. Finally, in 2018, I joined St Luke's Hospital as a Recreational Therapist on their Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit.  I obtained my CTRS in July 2020. 
While working at Milestones in Marion I quickly realized I wore many hats, and social media engagement became one of my favorites. I highlighted the program through photos and videos on our various social media platforms as well as creating a monthly news letter. Engagement from clients, families and community members increased drastically and brought more funding and resources to my agency. After I left this position I remained present on social media through Instagram where I have created a space for fellow recreational therapists to share ideas and build relationships. Since staring this Instagram page I have collaborated with ATRA and recreational therapists across the world.

Student Representatives

Tiana Bolar
​University of Northern Iowa

My name is Tiana Bolar and I am a senior at the University of Northern Iowa.  I am from Marshalltown, Iowa and attended East Marshall High School in Legrand, Iowa.  During my college experience I have been involved in Being Now, and also have been employed at our local YMCA for 2 years working with kids who are at risk along with kids with and without behavioral issues. I am always looking for ways to brighten someones day.  I am looking forward to a position on the board because it would give me a chance to experience and learn about different populations as well as allowing me to make those connection with other professionals in this field.  I also hope to take  this experience to go on and education and share knowledge to my peers. ​​

Kirstin Lunn
​University of Northern Iowa

I am a senior this year at UNI obtaining an LYHS degree with an emphasis in TR and minor in mental health. I love looking for new ways to grow as a future professional. I currently work for the Black Hawk Family YMCA where I have worked with at risk students in the Waterloo school district, as well as been a one one one for a child with a disability. This experienced allowed me to get more familiar with this type of work and I feel as being a student rep will aide be even more in preparing for the field. I am excited to be challenged and learn throughout this experience.

Taylor Trost
​University of Northern Iowa

My name is Taylor Trost and I am a junior at UNI in the RTNL program, emphasizing in Therapeutic Recreation. I previously graduated with an AAS in Hospitality Management from Hawkeye Community College. After working in that field for a few years, I realized that I was missing an important piece in what motivates me. Helping others. Also during this time, I fell in love with the outdoors and wanted to make sure that people of all different abilities are able to experience that. In my free time, I enjoy painting, reading, hiking, trying new recipes, traveling, backpacking, and being active in any way I can. ​

I am a junior in the Therapeutic Recreation program at the University of Iowa. After graduation, I am planning on attending graduate school to become an occupational therapist, and my professional experiences reflect that. I have worked with all age groups in both clinical and community settings, and I continue to search for new experiences that will help to shape me into a well-rounded professional. Some of my experiences include working in the activities department at Bethany Life Long-Term Care Community, as a PLAYologist at the Iowa Children's Museum, as a volunteer in UI Hospitals and Clinics, and in the after-school program at Heritage Christian School. I have also spent many hours shadowing occupational therapists in clinics, long-term care, and rehabilitation facilities. I am very interested in working with professionals to learn more about the field as I work towards becoming a practitioner myself. 

Karlie Busch
University of Iowa

Hannah La Vie
University of Iowa

My name is Hannah La Vie. I am currently a Therapeutic Recreation Interest major at the University of Iowa. I also have obtained an AA in Liberal Arts from DMACC, where I discovered the amazing field of Therapeutic Recreation. Past leadership experiences I have obtained are through training staff at 2 For U Ankeny Campus, and Alice’s Rainbow Childcare Center. I also just obtained a position as a part of the University of Iowa Chapter of A Moment of Magic. I will be on the executive board as the “Interchapter Relations Chair.” I have experiences with facilitating activities through volunteering virtually at Get Your Play Online, Camp Have-LotsA-Fun-A, Special Olympics, and Camp Kesem. I have recently started volunteering at the Ronald McDonald, where I have learned what goes into hosting individuals and making sure that everyones needs get met. I also work at Respite Connection as a Respite and SCL provider, where I have learned how to go about facilitating goal work based on client’s interests, and how to properly utilize the APIE process. Through these experiences, I have gained both in person, and virtual experience that will help me grow as a therapeutic recreation major. I have also gained organizational skills and time management skills through managing being involved in so many great organizations.TR is an amazing field that I am very passionate about, and feel that I have gained adequate leadership experience through my current work as a student and volunteer.