Board Members
Alex Rice
Executive Director
"I work at the Willkie House because quality youth programming has the power to change children's lives and to impact their life trajectory."
Alex cut her teeth in youth programming as a summer camp instructor at the Science Center of Iowa. She went on to teach over 2,000 youth in afterschool, summer, and in-school settings in various states and countries around the world. She progressively moved into management and leadership roles, and then became a nonprofit consultant before joining the Willkie House in 2021.
Jami Yoder
President, Governance & Capital Campaign Committees
"I serve on the Willkie House board because I believe in the mission and history of the organization. The Willkie House helps provide opportunities to youth and the community to shape the direction of their future."
Jamie grew up in Wayland, IA, and now resides in West Des Moines. She attended Iowa State University, and has been with Sammons Financial Group for 10 years. She is involved with Special Olympics of Iowa and mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa through both community match and workplace mentoring programs.
Lindsay (Cannaday) Rone
Vice President
"I serve because Willkie House was a safe space for me as a youth. I want to ensure it continues to be a space where youth can feel at 'home' away from home."
Lindsay (Cannaday) Rone is the Vice President and Business Development Director at GreenState Credit Union, with over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Driven by passion, she takes pride in developing and deploying the best products and services to marginalized communities. As the Business Development Director, her goals include building relationships with a wide cross-section of industry and community leaders to ultimately close the racial wealth equity gap across her credit union’s field of membership. Lindsay was honored as a 2023 recipient of the Des Moines Business Record's Forty Under 40 recognition. She serves on Ladylike DSM’s strategic planning committee, where she helps to activate micro-grants for Black women-owned businesses. Lindsay has dedicated countless hours to developing female athletes by coaching track and cheerleading at Des Moines Roosevelt High School. She also founded the United LEAGUE during her time at United Way of Central Iowa. The United LEAGUE is a network of motivated donors who identify as Black or as allies, eager to address disparities in economic opportunity through volunteerism and advocacy. Through her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lindsay continues to uphold the vision of service to all mankind.
Weslyn Caldwell
Secretary/Treasurer
"These babies...our babies....deserve everything'"
St. Louis will always be home for me, but Des Moines has been good to me. I have lived here for 22 years and raised one son. I graduated. I am currently serving as a board member for the Metro Youth Athletics, James B Morris Scholarship Fund. In addition to this, I am a co-youth director for the Central District Baptist Association. King of Kings Church is a form of home for me and I also give of my talents to further the kingdom efforts. I love doodling, cooking and shopping.
Sarah (Bol) Smyser
Past President
"Because there is no other organization like Willkie House. Our mission is inspiring and every day that we pour into this organization I feel a sense of pride for who we are today but also for our future potential. These children are our future and we provide a safe space for them to grow and learn—at a cost that is affordable for our parents/families."
Proudly South Sudanese! Originally from New Jersey, Sarah currently lives in Ankeny, Iowa with her husband Brad. She graduated from the University of Greenwich with a BA Honors in International Studies. She comes from a very large family and is the oldest of 9 children.
Jijuan Hakeem
Brand Strategy & Fundraising Committee
"I am passionate about our youth development in this country and the best place to serve is in my backyard."
Jijuan Hakeem is a Beaumont, Texas native who graduated from Grandview University in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing. Currently, he is the host of "The Minds w/ Hakeem" podcast and serves as the Community Relations Director for Edencrest at The Legacy, a senior living community. He is also a member of Cottage Grove Church, where he volunteers for Overflow, a program that provides warm meals to the Drake neighborhood community. He lives with his wife, Sammi Hakeem, and their son, Titus Hakeem on the south side of Des Moines.
Shanelle Harris-Burke
"I serve on the board to leverage my skills and connections to further Willkie House's mission. I'm passionate about empowering young people and fostering community development through its programs."
My name is Shanelle Harris-Burke, and I was born and raised in Des Moines, IA. I've been a licensed cosmetologist for over 9 years, proudly running the only luxury natural salon suite, The Hair Bawse Salon, in our area. I began my professional journey in finance, spending 7 years in that field before discovering my true passion for cosmetology. As a wife and mom to an amazing 4-year-old son, I find joy in balancing family life with my career.
I'm deeply committed to educating my community about business ownership, using my experiences to inspire and guide others. Additionally, I'm extremely passionate about advocating for black youth and addressing black maternal mortality. These causes are close to my heart, and I strive to make a positive impact through my work and community involvement. I live by the quote, "I'm no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept," by Dr. Angela Davis. This mindset drives my efforts to create meaningful change and pursue my passions with purpose.
Risha Weber
Fundraising & Capital Campaign Committee
"I'm passionate about the Willkie House because I attended youth programs when I was young. The Willkie House served as a safe space to continue to learn, grow and play during summer as well as afterschool."
Risha is a Des Moines native with 19 years of experience in the Insurance industry. She is a graduate and alumni of the 2023 Des Moines Leadership Program. She has been a Board Member of the Willkie House since 2022. She enjoys finding new places to travel and using her passport to explore the world. She also enjoys writing, singing and creating music.
Ellen Haahr Moore
Marketing & Brand Committee
"I am passionate about creating opportunities to help young people to reach their unique potential."
Ellen is from Storm Lake, Iowa. She holds BBA & BS degrees in Marketing and Communication from Iowa State University, and an MBA from University of New Mexico. She served as SVP of Marketing & Communication for Meta Financial Group prior to working at Holmes Murphy. She is a long-time community volunteer and the mother of four children. She enjoys attending sporting and cultural events, traveling, and a good batch of homemade ice cream on the 4th of July.
