Rosemary Parson is OAA's Board President and Co-Founder of OAA.

Rosemary previously served on several community boards, including Children and Families of Iowa, The Des Moines Community Foundation, Pyramid Theatre, Des Moines Performing Arts and the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. Currently, Ms. Parson serves on the The Des Moines Arts Center board and actively mentors young-adult students in the areas of financial literacy, banking, education and character. In 2022, Ms. Parson was elected to the corporate board of West Bank, West Bankcorporation, Inc. and Hubbell Realty as an independent director. Ms. parson studied at Ball State University and is a Fellow, Life Management Institute(FLMI).   She is the Senior Vice President of Policy Administration and Community Relations with EquiTrust Life Insurance Company.  She developed and sourced cross-functional units from Call Centers and Claims to Tax Administration, as the organization grew to over $20 Billion in assists under management. Prior to joining EquiTrust, Rosemary held executive positions with CNO Financial Group (formerly Conseco, Inc.) in Carmel, IN.  Ms. Parson was recently inducted into the Iowa Insurance Hall of Fame for her remarkable achievements of industry excellence over the years and is the first female African American to receive this prestigious award. Ms. Parson enjoys public speaking, family, youth mentorship, golf and is a past Business Record Women of Influence Honoree and was selected as a 2019 U.S. Army War College  Action Al Security Seminar (19) leadership participant.

Ms. Oates is OAA's Board Vice President and Co-Founder of OAA

Candace holds a bachelor's in International Advertising and Marketing from Ball State University and is currently working on her MBA.  She holds 3 American Council of Exercise (ACE) Certifications as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Health Coach. Ms. Oates has also certified as a life wellness coach, women exercise and metabolism specialist, TRX Suspension coach, landline coach, strength bands coach, kettlebell coach, Total Body Transformation specialist, Form and Function Consultant, and a registered Diabetes Prevention Specialist. Candace received her certificate as a Motivational Speaker at the International Association of Professions Career College.  Ms. Oates is a certified Yoga Instructor, Barre Instructor, and has previously taught Silver Sneakers and water aerobic classes. Ms. Oates holds monthly in person and Zoom Health Coaching sessions with an emphasis of the importance of living a healthier well-balanced lifestyle. Ms. Oates teaches the Colorado based youth educational health and wellness program, Awareness Bound, on behalf of OAA. 

​

** I am so grateful to be honored as a 2023 Top Professional by Marquis Who's Who of America. Click/touch this sentence to read the article. 

​

​

​

Shawna Isaac is a part of OAA's board as a member at large.

Mrs. Isaac is OAA's Marketing & Content Manager as well as the Development Coordinator. She has an educational background in Advertising, English, Journalism & Mass Communications. She has volunteered for several boards over the years and finds personal enjoyment with fundraising, community and youth outreach, project coordination and program development. Shawna has always been physically active via running, hiking, organized exercise, walking or anything else that presents a healthy challenge. It was through these personal challenges that she met Candace Oates and Rosemary Parson and knew they were meant to be part of her family. Shawna enjoys spending time with her family, helping out at church, camping, crafting and volunteering in the community wherever they may be a “friend” in need.

Jennifer is OAA's Board Secrectary.

Ms. McBride I has been in the dental industry for almost 20 years, and as a Registered Dental Hygienist for the last 13. One of the biggest missions of her career is educating the public on oral health and how nutrition plays a major role within the mouth and the whole body. Exercise and nutrition have always been a priority in Ms. McBride's daily lifestyle and having the opportunity to share her knowledge for the benefit of others is a passion. Jennifer feels it is an honor to help guide and educate others on this journey of being on the OAA board of directors.

Mrs. Kelley is OAA's Board Treasurer.

Ardis E. Kelley is Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“the Bank”). As CSO, Ardis managed the corporate strategy department and led the Bank’s corporate strategic planning activities.  Currently, Ardis collaborates with the Bank’s Members, Enterprise Risk, and Operations divisions to develop strategies and initiatives that promote member’s usage of the Bank products and services. Prior to her role as CSO, Ardis served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since joining the Bank in 2012.

 

Outside of the Bank, Ardis serves on the Executive Committee and is Audit Committee Chair of the Finance Council of the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, and is a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations dedicated to engaging the Des Moines community through arts, culture, community development, and wellness.

 

Prior to joining the Bank, Ardis had leadership roles in accounting and finance in Chicago, Illinois, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, New York City, New York, and Los Angeles, California.

 

Ardis is a CPA and received her undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master of Accounting degree from the University of Southern California.