Emily J
Emily joined CFR as a Prevention Specialist in September 2023 and is the current Prevention Supervisor.
She attended the University of Iowa and received her B.A. in Health Science in 2020, followed by her Master of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health in 2023. Emily worked in a cancer biology research lab during her undergraduate studies before developing an interest in public health. She has been involved in many research projects relating to young adult mental health, substance use prevention, HIV prevention, and health in the criminal justice system.
Emily is a proud alumna of the Hawkeye Marching Band and loves attending Iowa sports events with her spouse. She also enjoys playing board games, boating, gardening, and spending time with her cat.
Becky C
Becky C. began working as a Prevention Specialist in Iowa City in January 2023. She brings skills and knowledge from all her past professional lives to the job; she has worked as a bilingual human services specialist at a women’s health clinic, a high school Spanish teacher, a copyeditor, and a bilingual customer service representative.
Becky graduated with her bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Iowa in 1996. She later returned to the University of Iowa and earned her teaching certification and a master’s degree in Spanish in 2001.
Outside of work, Becky enjoys spending time with her spouse and teenager, going on road trips, and buying more books than she has time to read.
Jenna K
Jenna has been with CFR since April of 2023 as a Prevention Specialist.
She graduated from the University of Iowa in the fall of 2022 with her degree in Health Promotion. During her time at U of I, she completed internships including corporate wellness as well as health coaching.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and Australian Shepherd (Boone) on their farm, as well as running and painting.
Kamara S
Kamara joined CFR as a Prevention Specialist in December 2023. She is a University of Iowa College of Public Health (CPH) graduate where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health, Minor in African American Studies (2022), and a Master of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health (2023).
As a student at the University of Iowa, Kamara worked as a research assistant at CPH working on tobacco and e-cigarette cessation research. She was also a research assistant in an OBGYN lab at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) processing biological samples and studying early pregnancy loss. As a practicum student, Kamara helped evaluate the effectiveness of the Maternal Substance Use Disorder Clinic (UIHC). Other research interests included health equity, intersectionality, poverty, and social determinants of health.
Outside of work, Kamara loves travelling with friends and family, watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Hawkeye teams win, shopping, trying new restaurants, and reading. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc.
Maya Y
Maya joined the Prevention team in July 2023 after spending a decade in secondary education. Maya has a BA in English Education and Spanish from Bethel College (KS) and honed her Spanish skills while living in Quito, Ecuador for a time.
Maya believes that every human is worthy of dignity, respect, and deserves to have access to a healthy and whole life. She believes in the power of relationships and loves connecting people and creating meaningful spaces to gather.
When she’s not at work, she can be found in nature and with her husband and two kids. She enjoys playing sports and board games, reading fiction, and being creative.
Payton K
Payton began working as a Prevention Specialist with CFR in June 2023. She is a graduate from the University of Iowa where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy in 2021 followed by her Master of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health in 2023.
During her time at the University of Iowa, she was involved with a variety of research projects relating to vaccination, food access, HIV prevention, mental health, and substance use prevention primarily among on children, youth, and young adult populations.
Payton is passionate about community involvement and frequently volunteers regularly at local organizations in Iowa City. In her free time, she enjoys spending time her husband, taking care of her many house plants, hiking, weightlifting, crocheting, and traveling.