EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR + CO-FOUNDER

Dr. Abbie Mork is the current Executive Director and co-founder of Raise the Bar Initiative. She has extensive training in human anatomy, soft tissue techniques and strength training, and has a chiropractic practice in West Des Moines. Her passion lies in educating and empowering women to develop strength physically, mentally and emotionally to improve their quality of life. She channels that passion into creating and leading RBI programs, and helping to steer the organization in its mission of empowering girls and women in her community to develop strength in all areas of their lives.

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Rachelle Little has decades of experience in project management, leadership, product development and delivery - skills that she is combining with her deep desire for fulfillment and passion for uplifiting women as Executive Director of Raise the Bar Initiative. Rachelle's skills and experience are helping RBI transition into a new era of growth and expansion by formalizing and streamlining existing RBI operations, as well as leverage new opportunities that will help RBI expand its mission of building strong women and strong communities. In addition to her work with RBI, Rachelle keeps her connections to the software engineering world strong by serving as treasurer for dsmHack - a central Iowa group focused on connecting nonprofit organizations with technologists to cultivate organizational and individual growth.

PRESIDENT

Melissa Veenstra joined our Board of Directors in June 2023 as Secretary and stepped into the role of President in January 2025. An avid participant and sponsor of RBI events, Melissa has given many hours of her time and talents behind the scenes to help further our mission and support the organization’s growth in recent years. Outside of RBI, she works as a Marketing Manager for a Midwest-based civil engineering firm. A graduate of the Industrial Design program at Iowa State University, Melissa maintains her Project Management Professional certification through the Project Management Institute and is currently enrolled in a Creative Business Leadership Master’s program through Savannah College of Art and Design. In her free time, she enjoys staying active in the Iowa powerlifting community.

VICE PRESIDENT

Ivy A. Sprague is the director of strategic communications for Hy-Vee, Inc. and has more than two decades of marketing and communications experience. She’s worked in communications roles in agriculture, healthcare, financial services, retail, and marketing agencies, and often says that if you can think of a topic she’s likely written about it! She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Northern Iowa, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. Ivy has earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation and was named one of 2022’s Top Women in Communications by Ragan and PR Daily. When she’s not pounding on her keyboard, she’s chasing a deadlift PR, knitting sweaters, or watching her two nieces dominate the 4-H show ring.

TREASURER

Yashoda Gould's journey in the United States began in 2009 when she earned her accounting degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Her fitness journey began in 2012 with a Groupon offer for a local gym, and since then she has competed in obstacle races, triathalons, and powerlifting competitions. A passionate fitness enthusiast and dedicated advocate for women's empowerment, Yashoda aims to break down barriers and provide resources to empower women to challenge societal norms - a cause that holds great personal significance to her as she comes from an Asian country where the concept of strong women is not widely embraced. Yashoda is currently pursuing her MBA from the University of Iowa, with a concentration in leadership.

SECRETARY

Helen C. Adams has served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Iowa since Feb. 13, 2014. Prior to that, she was a lawyer both in private practice and a corporate in-house position from 1990 to 2014. Helen has served as a board member and officer on several non-profit boards in the Des Moines area, including Chrysalis Foundation and Childrens and Family of Iowa. She also is a member of the Mama Tram, a transport rescue for dogs and puppies needing a ride to a rescue where they can find loving homes. Helen is passionate about fitness, healthy living, joy, kindness, her family, including her husband and her fur babies, Charlie, Zip and MIlo, and helping young women find and keep their voice and strength. Helen is a masters 3 powerlifter, runner, and bike and travel fanatic.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

Sarah Otte has been part of the RBI community for several years, first as a lifter in the Women's Barbell Classic and later as a volunteer at the meet. She now oversees the multiple chapters of The Barbell Club in Des Moines-area high schools, and is helping to launch Corporate Programs in workplaces around the Des Moines metro. Sarah is honored to be part of helping women and girls build self confidence, improve their body image, gain phyical and mental health, and build their own strong communities.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

Kari Stone has a diverse background in communications, public relations, relationship building, marketing, event production, and music. Kari is not only a successful REALTOR but also a dedicated wife, stepmom, and loving dog mom to Keesha and Stella. Beyond real estate, Kari is deeply committed to giving back to her community and is actively involved with The Barbell Club and the Young Women's Resource Center.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

DeMarco Lowery is the District Coordinator for Community Schools within the Des Moines Public School District for K-12 schools. A product of the Des Moines schools, DeMarco holds a bachelor's degree in criminology and a minor in family studies from the University of Northern Iowa. DeMaro is the proud father of two young boys, Amari and Taylen, and is passionate about helping youth around the metro feel empowered to reach their true potential no matter how many times they face challenges.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

Ashley Bushman Artzer has worked in the juvenile justice field for more than 20 years, with a focus on improving female responsive practices for young women in the court system. In 2016, Ashley was a part of team that started a gender-specific specialty court in Polk County, and is passionate about helping young women in her community connect to female responsive resources. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a minor in criminal justice studies from Iowa State University, and has spent several years working with the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) population. Ashley also serves on several other work groups to improve outcomes for girls in the state of Iowa.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

Merenciana "Meddy" Paulus has spent the past decade coaching in the fitness industry, including several years of owning her own gym. She is passionate about helping women and girls find their true potential in fitness, especially for her fellow women of color. Meddy truly believes in the power of sisterhood and radical love. She enjoys Olympic weightlifting, reading, traveling, getting caught up in a binge-watching Netflix, and learning about new foods and cultures.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

Stacey Robles holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and Spanish from Simpson College, as well as an MBA from the University of Iowa. As a proud alumna of the Latina Leadership Initiative, she served as board secretary. Currently, she lends her expertise to the board of the Latino Heritage Festival as well as Raise The Bar Initiative. Stacey's passion for cultivating inclusive strength-training environments stems from her experience in the Women's Barbell Classic in 2020, which unfortunately was canceled due to COVID. However, in the training process, she discovered a supportive community of women in strength training, inspiring her to seek leadership roles in this community to continue championing spaces where women of diverse backgrounds feel empowered to embrace their true selves.