Paula
S. Diernfeld

Paula Dierenfeld is the mayor of Johnston, Iowa. Paula has served as Johnston’s mayor for the past 17 years. She was first elected mayor in 2008 and has served as Johnston’s mayor since, becoming the longest serving female mayor in Iowa. Prior to being mayor, Paula was elected and spent 8 years serving on the Johnston City Council.

Paula is an attorney, and prior to her recent retirement, spent 22 years in private practice at the Nyemaster Goode Law Firm in Des Moines, Iowa. Her primary practice areas included government relations, utilities law and campaign finance and ethics law.

Paula began her career working in federal and state government. She served nearly 10 years as legal counsel to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. She also worked for US Senator Charles Grassley; she was a staff director in the Iowa Senate; and she served as an Iowa Utilities Board Commissioner.

In 2023, Paula was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

Paula received a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Northern Iowa, and she received a juris doctorate from Drake University Law School.