Executive Director
karol@freedomfestival.com

Born and raised in Iowa, Karol moved to the Cedar Rapids area in 2003. With a background in radio and broadcasting, she worked for KZIA most recently as Promotions Director where she found her love of our community and special events. Stepping into the Events & Marketing Director role in January 2020 just weeks before the COVID pandemic forced the festival to cancel—the only full cancelation in festival’s history. Now Executive Director, Karol loves to see the community come together and create memories each June/July. Karol lives in Marion with her husband Brent, son’s Easton and Dawson and beagle-boxer mix Rey.

Marketing Assistant
emmaridder5@gmail.com

Emma was born and raised in the Cedar Rapids area and started attending Freedom Festival events at a young age. Emma graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2022. During her time in college, she found a passion for anything related to events and small businesses. Following her junior year at UNI, Emma interned for the Freedom Festival and loved being a part of the behind the scenes work that goes into producing the events she remembers going to as a kid. Emma, now serves as a Marketing Assistant and is excited for her fourth festival with the Freedom Festival team. Emma and her husband, Kelvin, live in Iowa City.

Social Media and Marketing Assistant brunscheen.emily@gmail.com

Emily was born and raised in Cedar Rapids and has a passion for community, events, and nonprofits. Emily graduated from the University of Iowa in 2023 with a degree in Marketing and Event Management. While in college she interned for the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and fell in love with the community and mission it brings to Cedar Rapids. As an intern, that worked on all events of the festival, she found her favorite events being DockDogs, Balloon Glow, and our Celebration of Freedom on July 4th! Emily now serves as a Marketing Assistant and is looking forward to her third year with the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival!

Events and Program Summer Intern youngtaya62@gmail.com

Taya was born and raised in West Branch, Iowa but recently just moved to the Coralville area. She has a passion for all things events and marketing, regardless of size. Currently studying Marketing and Event Management at the University of Iowa, Taya is interning for the Freedom Festival this summer as their Events and Program Summer Intern. Excited to learn and grow in the events and marketing Industry, she is particularly looking forward to all the events happening this year but she is mostly excited for the Balloon Glow and DockDogs. She can't wait to spend her summer with the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival team!

Events Coordinator brittany.barnhart@thegazette.com

Brittany is a native of the Marion area and has always been passionate about organizing events and bringing fun and educational activities to the community. With over 5 years of experience in the events and marketing industry, her love for this field continues to grow. This year marks her second year at the Freedom Festival, where she serves as our Events Coordinator. Brittany is excited to be a part of the Freedom Festival team once again and is looking forward to making it an even better experience for everyone. Brittany, along with her daughter Lillian and their two dogs, reside in the Cedar Rapids area.