Board of Directors

Founder: Tricia Rivas
Tricia Rivas, owner of Trixie’s Salon on E 14th, is a Des Moines Southsider native. After studying at La James International College and many hours of Aveda training, Rivas opened up shop in June 2010. She decided that she wouldn’t stop there but would share her talents with the community. Rivas started volunteering for Hospice of Central Iowa and her staff had the honor of cutting hair for local Veterans as well as the local women’s shelter. Seeing the impact it had as well as the need, she knew she could do more. And that’s how Dream Catchers was born.

In her spare time, Tricia loves to camp with her husband, three children and her Camp Happy family. She also loves to travel, do makeup photoshoots, and shop at local boutiques.

President: Tony Zika
Tony Zika is honored to be part of the Dream Catchers Foundation. He enjoys giving back to the community and has had the opportunity to help organize fundraising events for other central Iowa organizations. So naturally, when asked to serve as a board member, he jumped on board! Now in his second year of service, he is thrilled to be serving as President.

A Southside Des Moines native, Tony attended Lincoln High School, where his love for the arts drove him to obtain a Bachelor of Arts, with emphases in both acting and theatrical costume/makeup design, at the University of Iowa. Currently, he is a Designer and Floor Stager at West End Architectural Salvage, where he enjoys creating a positive and beautiful experience for all that venture through the four story warehouse in downtown Des Moines.

Laughter is key in his relationship with his husband, Cy, and in their spare time they enjoy entertaining friends and family at their home in Des Moines. Making others feel good through positive, genuine interaction is contagious, and keeps Tony passionate about life!

Vice President: Haley Vermie
Haley Haley was raised on the southside of Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School. She went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa and William Penn University where she received her degree in Business Management. Haley began her career with American Enterprise in 1999 and currently is the Manager of Underwriting. She is a current member and past president of Iowa Home Office Underwriters Association and holds the Fellowship of Life Management Institute (FLMI) designation. After seeing a family member on the receiving end of Tricia’s generosity, and knowing first hand of how a long term illness can affect an individual and their family, Haley was ecstatic at the opportunity to be a part of Dream Catchers and helping to make Tricia’s vision come to life. Lifting a patient’s spirits, if even only for a day, is an amazing gift! In her spare time, Haley enjoys reading, entertaining, and working on home improvement and landscaping projects. She is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and has traveled to most of the Big 10 stadiums.

Treasurer: Jenny Speck
Jenny Speck obtained her Masters in Accounting from Drake University and earned her Certificate of Public Accounting in September 2009.

She brings over a decade of experience in the financial industry from both public accounting and the non-for profit sector. Her prior career includes the role as a Finance Director for a local non-profit organization and a Tax Supervisor for McGladrey. She now works exclusively one-on-one with clients and helps maintain the financial records for several businesses and helps with payroll.

Jenny is actively involved with her local YMCA and enjoys getting to know members of the community. Jenny’s main passion is her family. She is surrounded by her boys – Collin who is 15 years old, Cooper who is 8 years old, and Crew who is 1 year old, and one more on the way! She is married to Jeremy Speck and enjoys being able to be home with her boys and work from home as an accountant.

Event Planner & Photographer: Jamie Ickowitz
Jamie Jo Ickowitz, is a married mother of two beautiful girls, Brooklyn and Nora and owner of a chocolate lab, Sevenna. She attended Lincoln High School and Des Moines Area Community College.  Her and her husband Joshua are lifelong residents of the Southside of Des Moines and are raising their family in the same great neighborhood where they grew up.  Her career for the past ten plus years has been with the Principal Financial Group as an Administrative Assistant.   She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, camping, volunteering at charitable events in the community and pursuing her love of art through her business – Bird Nest Photography.  She’s honored to be a member of the Dream Catchers board and eager to capture the pure innocence and sincere essence of Dream Catchers through a photograph.

Marketing: Abby Slife
Abby Slife grew up on the southside of Des Moines and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1999, with a degree in Political Science and Communication Studies. After living in Denver, CO and Phoenix, AZ, Abby and her family moved back to Iowa in 2014, settling down in Ankeny. She is a Special Education Associate with the Ankeny School District. Abby and her dog Sunny are part of the ARL’s Therapet Team and enjoy volunteering together all over Iowa, including Hospice Care of Iowa’s Kavanagh House. Abby believes that each day, each moment, we have an opportunity to live our lives to our highest self. “Working with Dream Catchers is one of many ways I hope to bring light and love to those around me.” Abby is grateful to be part of this organization and this beautiful group of people!

 

Volunteer Coordinator: Michelle Boelling
Michelle Boelling and her husband, Joel, are from the southside of Des Moines, where they graduated from Lincoln High School before moving out to the country to raise their family. She has been with her husband for 16 years – married for 8 years. They have two amazing children – Landre is 7 and Lauren is 4. In 2015, Michelle was diagnosed with stage 3+ breast cancer just five months after losing her mother to a terminal illness (brain cancer). While her family was fighting the fight, they received an overwhelming experience of love and support from the community, family and friends. So much that Michelle wanted to give back, help others and see the smile that was put on their faces from so many that they didn’t even know. That’s why Michelle wants to be part of Dream Catchers – so she can help someone feel extra special along with feeling blessed by others that care!

Past President & Board Member: Cheri Bass-Greiner
Cheri is a native to Iowa, growing up in Johnston. She attended Iowa School of Beauty with a degree in cosmetology. She comes to us with 25+ years of experience in the beauty industry. With affiliations to Aveda, she has completed many hours of Aveda training, and has also been a freelance makeup artist for Aveda. When Cheri isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and rescuing dogs. She also enjoys giving back to the community. She is excited and blessed to be part of such a great organization which will remind our clients that they are beautiful inside and out.

 

Board Member: Nola Aigner
Nola Aigner is the Health Educator/Public Information Officer for the Polk County Health Department. Aigner graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Communication. Outside of work, Aigner serves as Communications Council Manager for Junior League of Des Moines and Young Professionals Chair for the UNI Central Iowa Alumni Club.