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Kayla Choate has extensive work experience in various communication and marketing roles. Kayla is currently the Executive Director of Communications at the Waukee Community School District since June 2023. Prior to this, they worked at YSS as the Director of Marketing & Communications from September 2021 to June 2023. At YSS, they led the Marketing & Communications team and was responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to engage audiences and support strategic priorities.

Before joining YSS, Kayla was the Director of Communications at Joppa, a Des Moines-based nonprofit, from September 2020 to September 2021. In this role, they managed all internal and external communications and coordinated various design and production projects.

From October 2018 to August 2020, Kayla worked as a Communications Consultant at Nationwide. Kayla developed and executed communication strategies to promote new products and initiatives, maintained relationships with business partners, and served as a communications expert on project teams.

Prior to that, they were the Director of Marketing and Communications at Drake University Law School from August 2015 to October 2018. In this role, Kayla created and implemented the law school's marketing and communications plan and coordinated various marketing projects.

Kayla also has experience working as a PR/Marketing Specialist at the University of Minnesota from January 2014 to July 2015, an Editorial Assistant at Meredith Corporation from August 2012 to February 2013, a Communications Intern at the Iowa State University Alumni Association from June 2011 to May 2012, and a Donor Relations Student Writer at the Iowa State University Foundation from May 2011 to September 2011.

Kayla began their career as a Staff Writer at the Iowa State Daily, where they covered the city of Ames for the daily student newspaper from October 2009 to May 2011. Throughout their career, they have demonstrated skills in writing, editing, strategic communication, marketing, and project management.

Kayla Choate has a Master's degree in Communication Leadership, which they obtained from Drake University from 2016 to 2018. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Iowa State University, where they studied Journalism and Mass Communication, Spanish, and International Studies from 2008 to 2012. In addition to their academic qualifications, Kayla has obtained various certifications from Tero International, Inc. These certifications include "Championing Innovation and Leading Change" (obtained in March 2023), "Tapping Into Internal Motivation and the Art of Delegation" (obtained in February 2023), and "IMPACT: How to Speak Your Way to Success" (obtained in March 2022).