Meet the Team

We pride ourselves on creating a friendly, welcoming environment where your care is our top priority. Get to know the team who makes it all happen—we can’t wait to see you!

Shawnae was born and raised in Wabash, Indiana, where she developed her strong Midwestern values and love for community. She and her husband David later made Pella home for 17 wonderful years, raising their three children – Kristen, Kloe, and Kamden. When their three grandchildren – Avery, Blakely, and Everly – arrived, Shawnae and her husband David happily followed their hearts to Ankeny to be closer to family.

Professionally, Shawnae brings a diverse and well-rounded background that includes experience as a business owner, as well as roles in regional sales, marketing, and administration. Her versatility, strong work ethic, and ability to adapt allow her to seamlessly take on a variety of responsibilities while providing exceptional support to both her team and patients. Shawnae looks forward to welcoming and working with the patients of Lawson Dentistry, where she is commited to creating a positive and friendly experience for everyone who walks through the door.

Shawnae and her husband enjoy spending weekends with loved ones, catching the latest movies, riding motorcycles, and playing pickleball. Traveling is a passion, and they’re always ready for their next adventure.

Taryn is a wife, stepmom to two daughters, and a dog mom to a boxer named Gus. Family is at the center of everything she does, and she loves building a life filled with faith, adventure, and meaningful experiences.

When she’s not spending time with family, you’ll often find her staying active through boxing, jiu-jitsu, and anything fitness related. She has a deep appreciation for God’s creations and loves being outside, whether that’s exploring new places, enjoying a beautiful day, or simply making memories with the people she loves most.

She’s also passionate about discovering local coffee shops, wineries, breweries, and anywhere with great live music. She believes life is best lived with a sense of curiosity, connection, and gratitude, embracing every opportunity to grow, serve others, and create lasting memories along the way.

Originally from Frankfort, Illinois, Taylor moved to Des Moines after graduating from the University of Iowa. She has previous dental assisting experience and is grateful to gain even more hands-on experience at Lawson Dentistry. Passionate about combining her background in human physiology with advanced dental technique, this role has deepened her interest in neuromuscular dentistry, particularly in treating TMJ patients and individuals with sleep apnea. Taylor is excited to start dental school at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in the Fall of 2025!

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, baking, and watching sports(she is a huge White Sox, Packers, and Iowa fan). She also loves to travel, with her favorite experience being hiking Machu Picchu in Peru.

Helen is entering her junior year at the University of Missouri, where she’s majoring in Health Sciences on a pre-dental track with minors in Biology and Psychology. Outside of school, she stays busy playing club soccer and serving on the executive board of Global Medical Training, an organization that provides free medical and dental care to underserved communities in other counties. In her free time, she enjoys staying active and spending time with friends and family.

Helen is so excited to be working at Lawson Dentistry this summer to learn more and continue working toward a future career in dentistry!

Lauren is originally from Omaha and recently moved to Des Moines with her husband. Although she was raised in Nebraska, she’s proud to be a Hawkeye fan. She has been a dental assistant for three and a half years and loves helping patients not only improve their smiles, but also become healthier and more confident.

Lauren is especially excited to continue growing her knowledge and experience in dentistry, with a particular interest in orthodontics and sleep and TMJ-related treatments. She looks forward to learning new skills and expanding the ways she can support patients in their dental care.

Outside of the office, Lauren enjoys shopping, going on walks, exploring new coffee shops, baking, and watching baseball and football. She also loves trying new things with her husband, catching up with friends, and spending time with her family back home.