Regional Directors

Heartland AEA’s regional directors serve as administrative partners to local districts/schools within a defined geographical area. They work closely with districts/schools to understand their needs through a comprehensive planning process. Regional directors help align, deploy and ensure the delivery of quality agency services and supervise and evaluate AEA staff working directly with local districts/schools.

Important Contacts

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Susie Bentley

Regional Director

Email Susie
(515) 473-6651

Public Districts: Ames, Collins-Maxwell, Colo-NESCO, Gilbert, Nevada, Roland-Story, South Hamilton, United

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Ames Christian, Nevada Seventh Day Adventist, St. Cecilia

Misty Christensen

Regional Director

Email Misty
(515) 473-6659

Public Districts: Adel-DeSoto-Minburn, Dallas Center-Grimes, Greene County, Perry, Woodward-Granger

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Acorns & Oaks Christian, Bridges Outdoors School, St. Patrick’s

Martha Condon

Regional Director

Email Martha
(515) 473-6791

Public Districts: Des Moines

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Apiary Leadership Academy, Bergman Academy, Christ the King, Des Moines Adventist, Empigo Academy, Holy Family, Holy Trinity, Joshua Christian, JW Reed Christian, Mt. Olive Lutheran, OneSchool Global, St. Anthony, St. Augustin, St. Joseph, St. Theresa, Two Rivers Classical Academy 6-12, Xceed Oakmoor Academy

Charter Schools: Des Moines Prep, Horizon Science Academy, Great Oaks Charter School

Nicole Craun

Regional Director

Email Nicole
(515) 473-6822

Public Districts: Johnston, S.E. Polk

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Gospel Assembly Christian

Angela Dvorak

Regional Director

Email Angela
(515) 473-6667

Public Districts: Earlham, Van Meter, West Central Valley, Winterset

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Winterset Christian Academy

Erin Lepird

Regional Director

Email Erin
(515) 473-7308

Public Districts: Baxter, Colfax-Mingo, Indianola, I-35, Melcher-Dallas, Newton, PCM, Twin Cedars

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Newton Christian, Strong Roots Christian, Victory Christian

Sara Mercer

Regional Director & Student Services

Email Sara
(515) 473-7221

Public Districts: Spirit Lake

Accredited Non-Public Schools: N/A

Lauren Nelson

Regional Director

Email Lauren
(515) 473-7365

Public Districts: Waukee

Accredited Non-Public Schools: St. Francis of Assisi

Chris Pierson

Regional Director

Email Chris
(515) 473-6700

Public Districts: Ankeny

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Ankeny Christian, St. Luke the Evangelist, The Conservatory of Worship Arts

Stacy Volmer

Regional Director

Email Stacy
(515) 473-6770

Public Districts: Ballard, Bondurant-Farrar, Boone, Madrid, North Polk, Ogden, Saydel

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Grand View Christian, Sacred Heart (Boone), Trinity Lutheran

Tinna Walberg

Regional Director

Email Tinna
(515) 473-6952

Public Districts: Urbandale, West Des Moines

Accredited Non-Public Schools: AlRazi Academy, Des Moines Christian, Dowling, Sacred Heart (WDM), St. Pius X, Two Rivers Classical Academy K-5

Joy Wiebers

Regional Director

Email Joy
(515) 310-1831

Public Districts: Adair-Casey, Audubon, Carroll, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Exira-EHK, Glidden-Ralston, Guthrie Center, Panorama, Paton-Churdan, South Central Calhoun

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Kuemper Catholic

David Wood

Regional Director

Email David
(515) 473-6957

Public Districts: Carlisle, Knoxville, Lynnville-Sully, Martensdale-St. Marys, Norwalk, Pella, Pleasantville, S.E. Warren

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Bridges Outdoor School (Norwalk), Cornerstone Christian, Main Street School, Norwalk Christian, Pella Christian, Peoria Christian, Providence Christian, Sully Christian