Iris received her B.S. from Cornell University and earned her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney for Forsyth County where she tried numerous felony cases and focused upon the prosecution of adult sex offenders and the protection of children. Iris joined the Children's Law Center in 2008 as a Staff Attorney. She was appointed Executive Director in January 2011. Iris was also the Director of the Wake Forest University School of Law Child Advocacy Clinic housed at the Children's Law Center through Spring 2020. She is a member of the Crossnore Communities for Children Board of Trustees and on the Administrative Team of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point.