Des Moines Business Record

Find takeaways from the Technology Association of Iowa Iowa Technology Summit and news about upcoming events including next week's Day of Innovation Youth Tech Conference hosted by Pi515 and the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Small Business Success Summit in this week's innovationIOWA newsletter: https://lnkd.in/ghXTFkyC

The pandemic is feeling more like a distant memory to many, but four years on, it is shaping a new era for events in Des Moines’ entrepreneurial community. In this week’s Business Record cover story, event organizers and entrepreneurs share their insights into what’s changed about planning and attending events as they return after the pandemic and discuss the new events and leaders they see emerging in the ecosystem. Read the full story from Staff Writer Sarah Diehn here: https://lnkd.in/gEg8VEsx

Meet Shannon Draayer, one of the Business Record's 2024 Forty Under 40. She recently led the expansion of the new Meals on Wheels campus to triple meal capacity and reduce food insecurity. She also leads well-being efforts for 2,000 team members, residents and clients of WesleyLife. Beyond her career, she says, "our 2-year-old son has a rare, complex genetic disease called Zellweger syndrome, a life-limiting illness. A big role for me outside of work is as a caregiver and advocate for him. I hope to improve in my role as an advocate and expand my knowledge of American Sign Language." During the centennial celebration of our National Park System in 2016, she visited 100 national parks in a year. https://lnkd.in/gxnXNXsM

Join us for our annual CRE Forum next week, where Justin Lossner, CCIM, SIOR will be recognized as the Iowa State University Ivy College of Business Commercial Real Estate Professional of the Year. Also during the forum, six panelists talk about development projects underway or planned in the Greater Des Moines area. Other topics include the office market, development-ready sites, new trends in architecture and downtown development. PANELISTS: Jesse Bunney: director of operations, LAWMARK CAPITAL, INC Chris Costa: president and CEO, Knapp Properties, LC Craig Erickson: managing director, Shive-Hattery Carrie Kruse, CPA, CGMA: economic development coordinator, City of Des Moines Rachel Wacker: executive director, Greater Dallas County Development Alliance Ryan Wiederstein: broker/owner, WB Realty Co. TICKETS: Limited seating available, reserve your ticket today at https://lnkd.in/gFsfsF_u EVENT DETAILS: Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024 Time: 7 a.m. networking, 7:30 to 9 a.m. program Location: Hilton Des Moines Downtown, 435 Park St Des Moines, IA 50309 #dsmusa #desmoinesbusiness #desmoinescommercialrealestate #desmoinesiowa

Did you have a role model who made a difference in your career? For my Leading Fearlessly column last month, I wrote about role models and asked some local leaders who inspired them. So many people wrote to me to tell me how much that column resonated with them that I decided to share even more leaders’ stories of women who made a difference in their lives. Here is who Mashal Husain, chief operating officer, World Food Prize Foundation, named: "Dr. Rizwan Shah was a healer and hero of abused children – and my friend and mentor for more than half my life. She inspired me to be the best I could be as a humanitarian and professional. Dr. Shah lived that mantra every day as she witnessed the devastating impact of drugs on newborns and treated methamphetamine-exposed babies. Following her 1968 arrival in America from her native Pakistan, Dr. Shah made Iowa her home and Iowans her family. She was the visionary who launched Blank Children’s Hospital’s Child Protection Center and was a champion for all children. Recognized as a “Local Legend” by the National Library of Medicine, Dr. Shah tackled the most challenging and heartbreaking cases and made the well-being of children her life’s focus. This selfless and angelic caregiver made all those around her feel special with her comforting words and reassuring smile – she remains my inspiration and idol." Mashal has a lot in common with her role model -- with her reassuring smile and compassionate leadership, she is an inspiration to many! You can read the entire Des Moines Business Record column here: https://bit.ly/3UgkPcW. Stay tuned for more role models from Dwana Bradley and Nicole Grundmeier, and check out Molly Lopez's quote from yesterday's post. #womenleaders #rolemodels #womeninbusiness #ceos #womenrock

Meet Kacey Davis, one of the Business Record's 2024 Forty Under 40. She is the director of employee health and wellness at Dotdash Meredith Corp. Outside of work, she serves on the Young Women's Resource Center board of directors and on the Broadlawns board of trustees. "I want to see holes plugged in health care access – and that means all aspects of care and in any way access can be denied, including transportation, affordability, lack of available health care workers," she says. "At the same time, I aspire to advance work on behalf of environmental justice, focusing on inequities that surface as our climate changes." https://lnkd.in/gXgZAPyN

Join us on April 18 at Noon for our virtual event Fearless Focus: Financial empowerment Addressing the unique financial barriers that women face Wage disparities and differing policies on paid family leave continue to be systemic issues affecting women’s economic standing. On an individual level, women often feel less confident than men when it comes to budgeting, investing and planning for retirement. In this conversation, we will talk about both the systemic and individual challenges women face financially. Leaders will highlight programs, opportunities and policies that support women’s economic mobility. Featured Panelist Michele Williams: associate professor, management and entrepreneurship, University of Iowa Tippie College of Business Register today at https://ow.ly/jNXV50RfpNF

Help us out — comment your suggestions for business leaders with interesting hobbies to include in this year's Photo Issue.

Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business wants its programs to stand out for its focus on social impact. The school’s dean, Alejandro Hernandez, is leading the charge and spoke to us about how the college is making it a priority. “It’s a here-and-now challenge and an opportunity to make your company viable and sustainable in various dimensions,” Hernandez said. “Clearly it’s going to be central for the future students’ success and that’s what we’re working on here.” https://lnkd.in/gZUYFzxX

Corn and soybean fields surround the lush regenerative pastures of Lost Lake Farm a mile northwest of Jewell. An unassuming white house sits across the drive from the milking parlor and barn-red building that houses the cheesemaking and aging rooms. Kevin and Ranae Dietzel bought the place in 2012 and earned a license to sell their cheeses in 2016. They tend a mixed herd of dairy cows, pigs and two children. Kevin is the cheesemaker but shares all the other farm duties with Ranae, who works mostly from home as a data research scientist for Syngenta. The kids, Scarlett and Sterling, have plenty of chores, and Ranae’s parents help at the farmers market in Ames. Sadie the dog is there for moral support. Kevin makes the cheeses on site in a spotless modern room, turning out everything from nutty, semi-hard Iowa Alpine cheese to spreadable, whole-milk quark. The Minnesota native studied biodynamic farming in Germany and, after three years of work and two days of grueling tests, became a state-certified agriculturalist (or, as they say over there, a “staatlich anerkannter Landwirt”). Back in the States, he earned a biology degree from the University of Minnesota at Morris, where he met Ranae and married her in 2006. https://lnkd.in/gWugxESA