Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters
​Staff Members

Lynne Carroll
Executive Director

Lynne is a Marshalltown-native who has been with the Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters program since October of 2007 when she started as a Match Coordinator. She has a Masters in Pastoral Studies and had worked with youth and campus ministry prior to moving back home to start her family. Lynne is always happy to share achievements and stories about her husband and 2 daughters, whom she cherishes deeply. One of Lynne’s favorite parts of her role is witnessing the lasting connections that long-term matches create. Lynne’s extensive knowledge of grants, rules, and processes makes her an invaluable resource to the team—always ready with an answer to almost any question (as long as it’s not about computers!). Her dedication and passion for service truly shine in everything she does.

 Beyond her work with BBBS, Lynne is deeply committed to her community. She serves on several boards, including the Lennox Employee Credit Union, Last Watch Human Trafficking initiative, St. Francis Church Social Justice Committee, Marshalltown County Cares Committee, Marshall County Food Access Program, and the United Way Agency, among others. 
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You can reach her at:
[email protected]
(C) 641-751-5992

Jody Brintnall
Office Assistant

Jody is another lifelong Marshalltown resident who brought her expertise to the Big Brothers Big Sisters team in August 2018 after retiring from the Marshalltown School District’s Business Office. A loving grandmother to six, she was encouraged to join our team by her past classmate, Lynne, and has since become an invaluable member. Jody handles a wide range of responsibilities, including submitting background checks, communications with families and community members, checks and balances, record-keeping, and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
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Outside of her work with BBBS, Jody is an active member of the First Congregational Church, where she contributes her talents to finances, the bell choir, and the music program. Additionally, she has been a dedicated saxophone player (and treasurer) for the Marshalltown Community Band for over 50 years, sharing her love of music with the community.

You can reach her at:
[email protected]
(W) 641-753-6370

Desiray Christen
Marshalltown School-Based Match Support Specialist

Desiray joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters team as a match coordinator in July 2022 and has quickly become an essential part of the program. Known for her organization and dedication, she balances her work with supporting her family of eight in their many sporting and community activities. Originally from Iowa, Desiray and her husband have also lived in Arkansas and even China, bringing a unique background and perspective to her role.

With prior experience in early education, Desiray has a natural talent for working with children and families. Her efforts were instrumental in helping the program earn a Growth Award, reflecting the increasing number of total matches in our program. She is deeply committed to ensuring each child finds the right match and continuously seeks creative ways to recruit more Bigs.
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You can reach her at:
[email protected]
(C) 479-306-2531

Brookelyn Schlawin
Community-Based and BCLUW & West Marshall School-Based Match Support Specialist

Brookelyn joined the team in October 2024, bringing her vibrant energy and passion for making a difference in the community. Originally from Anita, a small SW Iowan town, Brookelyn moved to Marshalltown in 2019 with her husband. With a background in education and a deep understanding of the impact of positive role models, she’s driven to help create meaningful connections. She values the wide diversity of the community and enjoys learning about the many cultures that make Marshalltown unique.

Outside of work, Brookelyn embraces her adventurous spirit. You’ll often find her exploring in another state, disc golfing, kayaking, cruising along the bike trails, or  snapping some nature photos around Marshall County’s parks.
 
You can reach her at:
[email protected]
(C) 712-254-0239

Our Team in Action