Conference Advisory Board
The Conference Advisory Board (CAB) is an inspired, insightful and committed group of collegiate members of Mortar Board who are invited by the National Office staff to assist in the planning and execution of the national conference. CAB members have the road maps to guide new presidents as they navigate the conference and prepare to lead their chapters next year.
All of the CAB members are eager to meet the newest class of Mortar Board and help them drive their chapters toward a successful year.
Consider becoming a CAB member for the 2021 national conference! A member may apply for a position on the CAB through October 15, by completing the online application here.
2020 CAB Members
Yessica Rodriguez
Promotion and Social Media Lead
Yessica Rodriguez, president of the Gold Key chapter at the University of Northern Colorado, is a biology major with an emphasis in pre-health, minoring in sociology and chemistry. On campus, she also serves as the student rights advocate for Student Senate, is an ambassador for the College of Natural and Health Sciences and is an undergraduate research assistant in the ornithology lab. In total, Yessica is involved with ten organizations outside of Mortar Board! In her free time she enjoys exploring Colorado, hanging out with friends and binge-watching Netflix shows. She hopes to become a pediatric pulmonologist and eventually open her own clinic serving low-income people of color that may not have as immediate access to healthcare. Yessica’s favorite Mortar Board memory is attending the 2019 national conference, where she was able to meet some amazing people and expand her leadership skills, which has helped her gain the privilege of serving on the 2020 Conference Advisory Board.
Jill Kleinkauf
Conference Program Lead

Alex Ballard
Team Lead, Whova App Lead

Zoe VanderHoek
Registration Lead
Zoe studied general biology and is president of the Three Sisters chapter at Oregon State University. She is also the co-vice president of the Equestrian Dressage Club and an officer on the Women’s Water Polo Club. She regularly volunteers at the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic on campus and is a learning assistant for the general biology class series. In her leisure time, she enjoys horseback riding, drawing and painting. Zoe’s aspirations include attending medical school in hopes of becoming an OB/GYN, as she is passionate about women’s healthcare as well as healthcare policy. Her favorite Mortar Board memory is meeting and engaging with people from her section, the Pacific Northwest. Finding common ground and shared values was inspiring and challenged her to be the best version of herself.