Meet Our IANS 2025-2026 Board of Directors 

2025-2026 IANS Board

Executive Board of Directors
Get to know your IANS Board. Contact us with your questions and let us tell you why we chose Iowa for our nursing education and how you can be part of the action!

President: Elizabeth Borton  
​Bio: My name is Elizabeth Borton. I am a senior at the University of Dubuque, and I am honored to serve as the president of IANS this year! During my time on the IANS board, I have gained valuable insight on nursing, leadership, and what it means to represent nursing students across the state of Iowa. I am eager for this year, as we have a fantastic board with great things to come. I also serve as the President of my school’s SNA Chapter. I currently work in the emergency department as a CNA, and plan on working in the ED after graduation! Outside of nursing I love to hang out with my family and friends. I also love ‘grandma hobbies’ such as crocheting, and cooking/baking things from scratch.
Duties of the President:
  • Preside at all meetings of the association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
  • Appoint special committees with the approval of the Board of Directors.
  • Serve as ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominations Committee
  • Represent IANS in a matter relating to the association and perform all other duties pertaining to the office.
Vice President: Virginia Speltz 
​Bio: My name is Virginia Speltz, and I am a senior nursing student at the University of Dubuque. After I graduate in May my future goal is to move to St. Petersburg, Florida and accept a residency program in the pediatric emergency room. I currently work as a CNA in the emergency room and volunteer my time coaching youth soccer and mentoring through a mentorship program in Dubuque. I am the social media representative for our schools SNA, and I am excited for my new position as vice president where I aim to plan the next convention that inspires the future generation of nurses. I aim to design an engaging and memorable experience that connects nursing students across Iowa through inspiring speakers and unique opportunities for networking and growth. Outside of nursing I am the captain of the University of Dubuque women’s soccer team, a lead student ambassador on campus, and someone who simply loves to laugh and spread joy. 
​ Duties of the Vice President
  • Assume the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President.
  • Assume the office of the President in case of a vacancy in the office.
  • Nominate three 3-4 members for the annual state convention planning committee.
  • Serve as chairperson of the planning committee for the annual state convention.
  • Be responsible for visiting and recommending to the Board of Directors the annual convention site.
  • Be responsible for all convention publicity including the convention program but excluding the convention edition of the IANS newsletter
  • Be responsible for selecting, arranging, and planning for speakers, educational sessions, entertainment, and convention registration and all other duties pertaining to the office in collaboration with Public Relations Director, Membership Director, and Nominations and Elections Director.
Secretary/Treasurer: Logan Kleese 
Bio: My name is Logan Kleese and I am a senior at the University of Dubuque. This year I am the treasurer/secretary for the IANS executive board of directors. I am also the treasurer for my school's SNA chapter. I am so excited to be on the board this year and it is my goal to fundraise so that we are able to bring fun things to the next generation of nurses in Iowa. Outside of nursing I play on the women's soccer team at the University of Dubuque and I work at a daycare back home. During my free time I love to hang out with my friends and watch movies. After graduation I plan to move back to Des Moines and get a job at Blank Children's hospital on a pediatric oncology floor. 
Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer: 
  • Act as custodian of organization funds and see an annual financial report
    and budget is prepared.
  • Oversee the signing and deposit of checks for monetary disbursements, in association with the Finance Committee, as bylaws provide.
  • Serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee when such a committee is established by the Board of Directors.
  • Perform all other duties assigned by the President​​
  • Keep in file a permanent record of all reports, papers, and documents submitted to him/her.
  • Sign documents with the President such as, organizational papers and documents that come into their executive and administrative spheres.​
  • Conduct general correspondence of the association as requested by the President and Board of Directors.
  • Submit annually the officially application for NSNA constituency status, which shall include the following areas of conformity for active and associate members: purpose and function, membership, dues, and representation.
  • Keep on file a register of all constituents and their constituents and their officers and the addresses of all schools with members in this organization for correspondence, roll call, and business procedures
  • Inform Board of Directors, consultants, and constituents as to the time and place of board meetings
  • Send to the headquarters of NSNA, Inc. the names and addresses of all officers and directors of their association immediately after the election.​
  • Inform Board of Directors, consultants, and constituents as to the time and place of board meetings

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Nominations and Elections Director: Emma Kempel
​Bio: My name is Emma Kempel, and I am a junior nursing student at the University of Dubuque. I currently serve as the Junior Representative for UD’s SNA chapter, and I will be the Nominations and Elections Director on this year’s IANS board. I am so excited to take on this new role because leadership in SNA has been such a positive thing in my life, and I am excited to help recruit other nursing students for leadership roles. Over the summer I worked at a cancer center and absolutely loved it. However, I am not sure what type of nursing I want to go into, so I am completely open to any specialty. In my free time, I love reading, baking, and hanging out with my family and friends. Anything to de-stress from a day in nursing school!   
Duties of Nominations and Elections Director:
  • Serve as chairperson of the Nominations Committee.
  • Send registration packets with scholarship information to schools.
  • Develop a slate of candidates for position on the Board of Directors and Executive Offices.
  • Coordinate the application and selection process for state consultant.
Public Relations Director: Kyla Roberts
​Bio: My name is Kyla Roberts and I am a senior nursing student at the University of Dubuque. As I am finishing up my undergraduate, I am beginning the application process for grad school where I picture myself as a family nurse practitioner. At my school, I serve as the vice president of our SNA program. Being a member of the IANS board has taught me so much about communication, networking, and just connecting with other nursing majors all across Iowa and the country. I love being an advocate for nursing as a profession! 
When I’m not studying or working on leadership projects, I love spending time with my dog, crafting, and hanging out with my family and friends. I believe in staying grounded and making time for the things I love while working toward my future goals. 
Duties of Public Relations Director:
  • ​Publish the IANS newsletter at least three times per year.
  • Collect, edit, and write articles to be printed in the IANS newsletter.
  • Keep the website current with updates, scholarship, newsletters and information; and promptly submitting changes to the website developer.
  • Keep social media up to date with information of upcoming events and current news. 
Breakthrough to Nursing and Membership Director: Paige Horaney  
Bio: Hi, my name is Paige Horaney, and I am currently a junior attending the University of Dubuque. At this point in time, I do not have a specific area of nursing I am interested in after graduation, but I am open to exploring all avenues! I am really excited to be a part of IANS and to encourage other future nurses to join. I feel as though I have learned a lot from being a part of IANS, and I am excited to see what the future holds! I believe self-care is so important, especially to us future nurses. Outside of school some of my favorite hobbies include reading, hunting, fishing, and being outdoors. Having these activities has helped me to balance the stress of school and I encourage everyone to find their own forms of self-care!  
​Duties of Breakthrough to Nursing and Membership Director
  • Promote the positive image of nursing students.
  • Be responsible for the organization of projects to recruit and increase the number of men and minorities into nursing programs, and maintain retention of those already enrolled in nursing programs throughout the state.
  • Coordinate activities with the NSNA Breakthrough to Nursing Project, and serve as a liaison between NSNA, IANS, and the local school Breakthrough to Nursing 
  • chairpersons.
  • Serve as chairperson of the Breakthrough to Nursing Committee, which is NSNA's program, designed to recruit students into nursing.
  • ​​Serve as advisor to Board Members in planning and development of activitie
  • Organize contact information for schools and make available to Board Members at the beginning of the term of office.​​
  • Formulate and maintain a list of all IANS members with current school and address information to be available to the Officers and Board of Directors as necessary.
  • Recruit nursing students for membership in IANS.​
Council of School Presidents:  Emma Milder  
​Bio: My name is Emma Milder, and I am a senior nursing student at the University of Iowa. I work as a PCT in the ER at UIHC, and with graduation just around the corner, I plan to continue in the ER as an RN, with long-term goals of becoming a family nurse practitioner. I currently serve as President of my school’s SNA, and I’m excited to bring my passion for nursing and leadership to the IANS board as COSP Chair this year. When I’m not busy with school, work, or leadership roles, I enjoy baking, staying active, and spending time with family and friends. I look forward to a year of collaboration, growth, and building meaningful connections across nursing programs in Iowa.

​ Duties of Council of School Presidents:
  • Serve as chairperson for the annual COSP meeting.
  • Maintain contact with the school presidents throughout the state.
  • Serve as a representative for all schools at board meetings.
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Legislation and Education Director: Faith Jasper 
​Bio: Hi, I’m Faith Jasper, a junior nursing student at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, where I serve as President of our Nursing Association. I am currently the Legislative and Education Director for IANS, and I am passionate about advocacy, leadership, and advancing the nursing profession. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Psychology, and I currently work as a CAN at a local nursing home. Through my role with IANS, I aim to contribute to innovative ideas that shape the future of nursing and to inspire my peers to take an active role in our profession. I plan to graduate in 2027, with an interest in emergency room travel nursing to gain diverse clinical experiences and, ultimately, a long-term goal of becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner.When I am not engulfed in school and other responsibilities, I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with my dog, family, and friends. I look forward to serving the nursing students of Iowa this upcoming year!
​ Duties of Legislation and Education Director: 
  • Review and recommend for changes in the bylaws and policies and procedures.
  • Monitor awareness of current legislation affecting nursing, nursing students, and 
    health care.
  • Encourage and aid in writing resolutions relating to legislative business.
  • Communicate legislative information to the local chapter
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Faculty Consultants:

LaDonna McGohan, DNP, RN | Luther College; Decorah, IA