Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters
​Staff Members

Brookelyn Schlawin 
​Executive Director

Brookelyn joined the team in October 2024 as a Match Support Specialist and then took the role of executive director in August of 2025. She brings a 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 many parks.​
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You can reach her at:
[email protected]​
(C) 712-254-0239

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

Maranda Earley
Community-Based and BCLUW & West Marshall School-Based Match Support Specialist

Maranda joined Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters in September 2025 as a Match Support Specialist, bringing with her extensive experience in the mental health care field. Her background includes working in adult group homes, case management, and direct support roles, all of which have shaped her empathetic, person-centered approach to supporting youth and families. A passionate advocate for mental health and youth mentorship, Maranda is deeply driven by her own experiences as a former foster youth. To her, mentorship is more than just guidance, it's a form of preventative care that can change the course of a child's life. Currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a Pre-Counseling focus (graduating February 2026), Maranda will continue her educational journey by entering graduate school in May 2026 to earn her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Outside of work, Maranda stays grounded in family life as a proud and busy mom of seven. One of her children has unique needs, which has fueled her dedication to advocacy and accessing resources for families in similar situations. She is an active voice in the community for trauma recovery, mental health awareness, sobriety, and therapy. When she's not working or studying, she enjoys writing poetry and cooking meals that bring people together and being outdoors in nature with her fiancé and children.

You can reach her at:
[email protected]
(C) 641-328-9957

Our Team in Action