Staff
Executive Director – Jessica Hyland
Jessica Hyland joined IowaBio as the Executive Director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio) in 2019. She leads the non-profit trade association, founded in 1994 to unify Iowa's bioscience industry, academic research institutions and economic development organizations. The association represents more than 100 members, invested in Iowa and in the biotech industry, and aims to elevate, support, advocate for, and connect Iowa's diverse biotechnology member companies, agricultural and life sciences ecosystem, and STEM talent pipeline.
Hyland joined IowaBio from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, an organization representing 1,500 member companies, where she was the Director of Public Policy. Prior to taking on her current role, Hyland gained over a decade of experience as a legislative lobbyist first, as Government Affairs Counsel and the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Iowa League of Cities, then as an associate at Davis Brown Law Firm and through her own business, advocating for a wide variety of clients, including non-profits, insurance, healthcare, and local governments.
Hyland graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law in 2005 where she also received a Certificate in Natural Resources and Environmental Law Program of Concentrated Study, with a particular focus on water law. As an Honors Scholar, she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Technical Journalism and Political Science from Colorado State University.
Hyland lives with her two children in Des Moines, IA. She can be reached at jessica@iowabio.org.
Biotech STEM & Administrative Coordinator – Mary Lyon
Prior to joining IowaBio, Mary worked as the Events and Strategic Alliances Manager with the Iowa Medical Society (IMS). In addition to taking the lead on organizing board meetings and events, Mary also served as the Chapter Executive for three specialty societies. In this role, she worked with the boards to develop annual budgets, membership campaigns, and advance priorities of each society.
Mary found her passion working for associations and making connections with board members when she worked as the Meeting Planner for Associated Construction Distributors International. Although she loved traveling throughout the country coordinating meetings, trainings, and trade shows, she is an Iowan at heart and enjoys spending time at home with her husband, Cody, and their dog, Luke.
Mary is a graduate of Iowa State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Event Management with minors in Hospitality Management and General Business. She earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2023.
Mary can be reached at mary@iowabio.org.
Lobbyist – Sara Allen, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Sara Allen joined Cornerstone’s Des Moines office in October 2016. Sara brings over six years of healthcare experience, as well as years spent lobbying, developing and executing policy positions, engaging grassroots advocates, and assisting with political action committee campaigns and endorsements. Sara brings significant health care and legal expertise to Cornerstone. Most recently, Sara worked as a state lobbyist and staff attorney for the Iowa Hospital Association, representing all 118 Iowa hospitals at the Statehouse and various administrative agencies. In this position, Sara gained expertise in a variety of areas impacting hospitals and other health care providers, including financing and reimbursement, behavioral health, value-based healthcare delivery reform models, informational technology innovation, regulatory and legal compliance, public health initiatives and more. Before her position at the Iowa Hospital Association, Sara worked for a physician staffing company as associate corporate counsel. Sara received her juris doctorate from Drake University and her Business Administration degree from Grand View University.
Sara can be reached at sallen@cgagroup.com or 515-778-9516.
Media & Events Consultant – Andy Bates, FIN Strategies
A Chicago-area native, Andy has called Iowa home ever since he attended the University of Iowa from 2009-2013. He specializes in grassroots advocacy, public affairs, public relations, and media relations.
Prior to joining FIN Strategies, Andy worked as an account manager in Des Moines focusing on public affairs. From leading statewide grassroots campaigns raising awareness around wind energy tax credits to carrying out complex public affairs campaigns around biofuels and healthcare, he has helped clients and trade associations on issues ranging across many industries.
Andy has developed deep relationships with prominent reporters and media members earning valuable exposure for clients across all media platforms.
Andy can be reached at abates@fin-strategies.com.
Marketing Consultant – Renee Schneider, TRIO Agency
Renee Schneider is the owner of Trio Agency, a full-service marketing agency in Des Moines, Iowa. She brings to IowaBio her expertise in research, brand development, and marketing strategy, digital media, and analytics. Renee holds a degree in integrated marketing communications from Wichita State University.
Renee can be reached at renee@iowabio.org or 515-259-0577.
Marketing Manager – Jordan Goode, TRIO Agency
Jordan is a marketing manager at Trio Agency. Her work with IowaBio focuses on social media content development, digital communications, and event management. Jordan received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Drake University in 2019.
Jordan can be reached at jordan@iowabio.org.