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

Jill is the vice president of the Elie Wiesel chapter at Chapman University. She just graduated summa cum laude in political science and dance. Outside of Mortar Board, she has served in leadership roles such as vice president of administration and secretary of Tri Delta, director of professional events and director of external relations of Kappa Alpha Pi Co-ed Pre-Law Fraternity and vice president of the Chapman University Tap Ensemble. When she finds free time, she can be found at a coffee shop, at home in San Diego, or at Disneyland with her friends. Jill plans to attend law school to pursue a career in public interest law. Jill’s favorite Mortar Board memory was attending the 2019 national conference, where she met some of her closest friends. Meeting the inspiring collegiate and alumni members from throughout the country reminded her to be the best version of herself, committing herself to Mortar Board’s purpose.

Alex Ballard

Team Lead, Whova App Lead

Alex, immediate past president of the Elie Wiesel chapter at Chapman University, graduated this spring in political science, economics and history. He was named the outstanding undergraduate student and just received the national Starlington Prize for Extraordinary Mortar Board Membership. Last year, he served as the membership chair of his chapter and was a 2019 Conference Advisory Board member. Alex was also the president of Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity and the director of finance for the Student Government Association. Some of his personal interests include escape rooms (He’s completed 48 to date), playing with his two dogs and trying new local brunch spots. His favorite activity, though, is eating churros at Disneyland. Alex will attend law school to become a civil rights attorney. His favorite Mortar Board memory is having the opportunity to serve on CAB last year. He enjoyed working with the other CAB members from across the country, and they have become some of his closest friends. Mortar Board has allowed him to become more involved on campus and in his local community while simultaneously expanding his national network of friends and mentors.

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.