Meet the Team
Staff
Jamie earned bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Spanish from Creighton University, and went on to earn her master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Iowa. She taught English as a Second Language at UI for 11 years, and has also taught preschool at Indian Creek Nature Center. In her free time, Jamie enjoys gardening, painting, reading, playing outside with her family, and just relaxing on their screened porch.
Jamie Hall
she/her
Office Manager
Isabelle graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor of science degree in History and a bachelor of arts in Anthropology in 2021. After their undergraduate studies, Isabelle earned her juris doctor degree from Drake University Law School in 2025. During law school, Isabelle was a student attorney at the Drake Legal Clinic, where they represented children in guardianship, child in need of assistance (CINA), and juvenile justice proceedings. Isabelle grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but now lives with her wife and three cats in Ames, Iowa. She enjoys knitting, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Isabelle Kaiser
she/her/they/them
Law Clerk, J.D.
Kendra received their bachelor of arts degree in Political Science and Spanish with Honors from Central College in 2012. She earned her juris doctor degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2016. Kendra has always been drawn to the public interest arena. Their desire to have a career in the nonprofit world was solidified when they served as an AmeriCorps VISTA after undergraduate studies. As a student attorney, she worked on family-based immigration law and post-graduation, she represented children in their parents’ custody and divorce cases. Kendra was a founding board member for the LGBTQ Youth Center (in Cedar Rapids, Iowa). It was during this time that Kendra began to look for more ways to serve the LGBTQ community. And thus, Lavender Legal Center was born to provide hope and resilience for LGBTQ Iowans. In their spare time, Kendra enjoys spending time with her dazzling wife and two beautiful kids, working on their old home, and antiquing.
Kendra Weston they/them/she/her
Founder | Executive Director | Attorney
Board of Directors
Alison Gowans
she/her/hers
Chair
Alison Gowans is a writer who works in Community Relations at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. She previously worked as a journalist at The Gazette newspaper and at local news site Patch.com. A University of Iowa graduate and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in eSwatini, she is passionate about building community. She lives in Cedar Rapids with her partner, two cats, and one small but fierce dog.
James Jensen
he/him/his
Treasurer
James Jensen serves as the Director of Electronic Health Records (EHR) at Optimae LifeServices. As a graduate from Central College, with certifications from Ashworth College and Purdue, and over a decade of experience in the social services field, James is a dedicated advocate for social justice and equity. At work, James volunteers as a part of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Team. He helps the company build trainings, supports positive changes to policies and participates in DEIB initiatives in communities across the state of Iowa. In his personal life, James finds joy in his family. He is married with four children, three of whom were fostered and then adopted, and shares his home with their two dogs. James resides in his hometown of Newton, Iowa, where he continues to try to make a positive impact. He is currently serving as a Leader in his children’s Cub Scout Pack and as board members for the Newton Iowa Youth Baseball League and Newton Area Soccer Association. He has spent many hours advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities, including leading the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at Central College, introducing the private college’s first drag show, and speaking on LGBTQ+ Panels.
Lindsey Piper
they/them/theirs
Secretary
Lindsey is a licensed independent social worker and practicing psychotherapist. They are an Iowa native and a University of Iowa alum. They are owner and therapist at Piper Psychotherapy, PLC in Iowa City. Their clinical work primarily focuses on individuals and couples. Their specializations include complex trauma, self-harm, and the LGBTQ+ community. They are passionate about advocacy for the LGBTQ+ population within the field of mental health and about education for clinicians regarding the strengths and unique challenges of this community. Lindsey has extensive experience working in the nonprofit sector. They have worked with several area nonprofits during their career including
Jakob Ravega
he/him/his
Member at Large
Jakob is a Paralegal in the Davenport office of Iowa Legal Aid. Iowa Legal Aid is a statewide nonprofit law firm that provides civil legal services to low-income Iowans. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with degrees in Political Science and Spanish. Jakob is excited to join the board and hopes to provide a unique perspective.
Holly Stevenson
she/her/hers
Member at Large
Dr. Holly Stevenson is the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for Optimae LifeServices. She earned her Ph.D. in Philosophy from The University of Iowa in 2021, focusing on marginalization, intersectionality and the ethics of who determines definitions of terms in our society. She also earned two graduate teaching certificates, a graduate certificate in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies and an Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award while she was a Hawkeye. Before moving over to Iowa in 2016, Holly attended The University of Glasgow in her home country of Scotland where she earned her MA in Philosophy. Holly is passionate about and published on work relating to baseline comparisons, intersectionality and has been invited to numerous universities and conferences across the country to speak on subjects such as racism, marginalization, slurs and inclusion. She is passionate about providing everyone with a voice that is authentically listened to but also to be a voice for the voiceless or silenced. She is very excited to bring her passion and experience to Lavender Legal.
Aria Huizenga
she/her/hers
Member at Large
Aria Huizenga is a transwoman living in Des Moines, IA. She is a member of the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus and a founding member of TRANScendent, Iowa's only trans/nonbinary ensemble. When not singing, she is a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ community in the nonprofit world and at the Iowa state capitol. She serves on a number of boards with emphasis on queer scholarship, queer rights, and the intersections of queerness and music. In her sparse free time, she loves to perform on stage in musicals or as her drag persona, Tessa Tura.
Emily Lavery
she/her/hers
Member at Large
Emily Lavery is an attorney at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll. Originally from the Kansas City area, she now lives in Coralville with her partner. Prior to joining the board, she partnered with Lavender Legal Center, Iowa Legal Aid and Shuttleworth & Ingersoll to run a name change and birth certificate amendment clinic in October of 2023. She is excited to join the board to continue her advocacy.
Rachel Manders
she/her/hers
Member at Large
Rachel Manders brings both heart and expertise to her board service, blending an almost 20-year legal background with a deep commitment to advocacy and community. She earned her teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1999 and a paralegal degree from Kaplan in 2004. Over the past two decades, Rachel has built a career spanning two law firms, corporate legal work, compliance and her current role as a Legal Analyst at UFG Insurance. At UFG, Rachel founded and leads the UFG Pride Alliance, an Employee Resource Group dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ employees, allies, and advocates while promoting a workplace culture grounded in respect, safety, and belonging. She also serves as a company ombuds, where she helps ensure employees feel heard and supported, and contributes nationally as a member of the International Ombuds Association, currently serving as DEIAB Committee co-chair. Rachel’s passion for advocacy extends beyond the workplace. She is an active volunteer with organizations such as CR Pride, Free Mom Hugs, the Riverview Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids and East Central Iowa, where she faithfully shows up each week for lunch with her “little.” She also serves as Scholarship Chair on the Board of Trustees for Foundation Iowa Business and Professional Women, helping empower others through education and opportunity. At home, Rachel enjoys life with her husband, two children (and multitude of pets) and is known to keep her schedule full with meaningful community involvement. She is driven by a simple goal: to help build a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved for exactly who they are. Rachel is excited to bring her legal insight, advocacy, and energy to her work on the board for Lavender Legal.