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Good morning, Fearless readers:
Did you have a chance to visit the Iowa State Fair? I enjoyed this story about 96-year-old Iowan Bonnie Swalwell Eilert, who won the Ladies’ Chicken Calling Contest. I’m far from an expert. But I believe the judges got this one right.
In this week’s Fearless e-newsletter, you will find:
- A story about $5.5 million via the American Rescue Plan Act that will be used to support victim support services in Iowa, including survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
- A column by Suzanna de Baca, president and CEO of Business Publications Corp., about how flexible work models can support women.
- In the headlines: Iowa’s largest county is offering free emergency contraceptive pills.
- In case you missed it: The Agribusiness Association of Iowa announced recently that Julie Kenney has been hired as its new CEO.
- Lots more!
– Nicole Grundmeier, Business Record staff writer
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American Rescue Plan Act dollars will be used to help Iowans who are victims of crimes
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BY NICOLE GRUNDMEIER, BUSINESS RECORD STAFF WRITER
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The Iowa Capitol. Business Record file photo.
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An allocation of federal coronavirus-relief money means that agencies that assist Iowans who are victims of crimes will not face immediate budget cuts.
That means current service levels should be able to continue. But the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence said it and other groups are worried about funding for future years.
Congress had slashed its spending on Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, grants by over 30%, according to Iowa Capital Dispatch, leaving local victim service providers in the position of having to turn away people who need help.
In Iowa, the gap from previous annual funding was about $5.4 million. State lawmakers approved a status quo budget in the spring, leaving the gap intact until Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird announced in late July that $5.5 million of Iowa’s share of the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund would be allocated to maintain support services.
“We are extremely grateful for their leadership and support in allocating these federal funds to victim support services. This one-time bridge funding was desperately needed,” said Maria Corona, executive director of Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in a prepared statement.
The one-time aid this year comes from funding approved in the American Rescue Plan Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Without adequate federal funding, states have two options: reduce victim services or find a way to cover the gap,” Reynolds said in a prepared statement. “Victims of crime deserve our full support of their recovery, and we will continue to ensure they have the services they need in Iowa.”
Less money means victims could go without important services
The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence also said in a news release that demand for services is increasing while government support declines. Services in rural areas and longer-term support for victims are particularly cost-intensive.
Service providers told Fearless earlier this year that drastic funding cuts could mean agencies helped only in the immediate aftermath of crime but weren't able to assist people in reaching self-sufficiency after being victimized. Organizations that work with Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault assisted over 54,000 people in 2023, they said.
Subject to specific rules, VOCA money can be used for an array of support offerings. Providers can help with such needs as mental health counseling, short-term housing, legal assistance and more. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has a more comprehensive listing on its website.
If you need help
The Iowa Victim Service Call Center provides 24-hour support and connections to local programs. It can be reached by calling 800-770-1650 or texting “IOWAHELP” to 20121.
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Leading Fearlessly: Want to be a gender leader in the workplace? Create flexible work models to support women
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BY SUZANNA DE BACA, PRESIDENT AND CEO, BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS CORP.
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Soon after graduating from business school, I got a job working at a top asset management firm in New York City. At that time, there were few women in the industry, and hybrid work arrangements didn’t even exist. However, I had a role that required me to be on the road constantly, and my boss – who was also female – let me know early on that I should take a flexible approach to my job. For example, she said if my return flight got in late at night, I should not feel pressured to come in early the next day. I remember her saying, “I trust you to get the job done, and as long as you get results, you can manage your own schedule.” This level of flexibility and trust meant a lot to me – and ultimately, this approach helped the firm with retention, especially among female colleagues.
Since that time, women have come a long way in the workforce and in leadership roles. But in 2023, there was a 15% drop in the number of female CEOs in the United States, according to Grant Thornton International Ltd.’s Women in Business 2024: Pathways to parity study. In that study, departing female CEOs in larger companies cited public pressure, caregiving responsibilities and the need to behave more like men. The report offered several strategies for companies to become “gender leaders,” and one of those pathways was creating flexible working models to support women leaders. “Hybrid and flexible working arrangements have a positive impact on the growth of women in senior leadership positions,” said the authors of the study.
Unfortunately, many women are hesitant to ask for flexible options. Deloitte’s recent Women @ Work 2024 Global Outlook reported that 95% of women believe that requesting or taking advantage of flexible work opportunities will negatively affect their career progression. And 93% of respondents said they didn’t expect that their workload would be adjusted if they move to a flexible work arrangement.
What does this mean for companies seeking to attract or retain female leaders? It means that businesses must not only offer flexibility but also ensure a psychologically safe environment where women feel comfortable asking for that flexibility. Depending on the organization or specific role, it may not always be possible for leaders to meet every female employee’s needs, but it is important to have an open discussion. This is especially important for top female leaders, but is applicable throughout the entire organization. As the Grant Thornton study concluded: “Having choice in where we work brings significant benefits to women in business, not just at a senior level, but also to the talent pipeline.”
I turned to local leaders and asked them for their perspectives and advice for women who want more flexibility or for employers seeking to retain female leaders.
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Sophia S. Ahmad, vice president of philanthropy, WesleyLife
As the state’s largest nonprofit provider of health and well-being services for older adults, WesleyLife prioritizes women in top leadership roles; in fact, 60% of our executive team is women. Our president and CEO, Rob Kretzinger, models and emphasizes health and well-being for his executive team; it’s even included in our performance goals each year. Flexibility certainly ties into this; when a high performer is free to activate within an agreed-upon framework, it’s a win-win for the team member and employer.
When approaching conversations around flexibility, it is important to begin from a place of trust, demonstrating that you are a leader who prioritizes excellence and achieves results, and clearly articulate how that will continue with the requested flexibility. Consistent communication ensures that expectations are on par; if not, it will help identify how adjustments can be made.
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Hayley L. Harvey, immediate past president, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry; section chief and director of dental education, Broadlawns Medical Center
This year marks my 30th anniversary as a clinical dentist. I am proud of the dental service that I have provided, while raising two daughters alongside my husband, Matthew. That said, I confess that I did fail in negotiating a more flexible work schedule in support of “work life/home life” balance. Now on the brink of becoming an empty nester, I have regrets. Yet, I am in awe of the young professional women entering the workforce space demanding what was, for me, the impossible. To those less confident in being forthright with that ask, I encourage them to consider the first line in the “Barbie” monologue (Greta Gerwig): “It is literally impossible to be a woman.” Then couple that with business expert Dean Graziosi’s quote, “As you progress in your personal and professional life, it is essential to believe in the impossible,” and proceed!
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Katie Petru, director, communications and community, Casey’s
In my experience in different environments over the course of my career, I have found what is most meaningful and productive is having clear communication about your needs with your leaders and team. Great leaders and organizations foster an environment that meets people where they are at and works with them to navigate what they need to be successful at work as well as outside of work. Hybrid work offerings, where some work is done remotely, often at home, allows for flexibility and saving on commute times. Another example is flexible work hours, so women can flex their work to another time of day without feeling remorse. This gives flexibility and shows that their contributions are valued regardless of when the work happens. If you want your team to be effective and engaged at work, they have to feel supported and have their needs met all around.
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Katie Wengert, chief strategy officer, Innovative Radiology & Total Health Experience
My words of advice for those who are seeking flexibility is that performance and productivity speak for themselves. If someone consistently demonstrates that they are responsible and accountable, then your manager is already aware of your aptitude for reliably accomplishing your responsibilities. Individuals who want to reduce their work hours, flex their schedule or work from home occasionally can always approach a request for flexibility provisionally to demonstrate that they can be equally productive. Make the most of opportunities that are given to you and exceed your manager’s expectations. If you have virtual meetings, turn your camera on and be fully present. If being in the office a set number of days per week is required, then be engaged when you are in the office and be genuine in your interactions with your colleagues. Your actions speak louder than your words.
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“I NEVER WANTED TO SETTLE WITH JUST BEING OK, JUST BEING GOOD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN I LEAVE THIS SPORT, THAT I PUT EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE AND THAT I ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING THAT I WAS CALLED TO DO.”
SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON
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Left: Kari Cooling. Center: Nancy Mwirotsi. Right: Brooklyn Treinen-Morris. Submitted photos.
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Ivy College of Business names winners of its 2024 Women in Business Awards: Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business has announced the three winners of its annual Women in Business Awards.
- Kari Cooling, senior vice president and managing director for brokerage services at Holmes Murphy of Waukee, is the Champion Award recipient, according to a news release. The award recognizes people and organizations that “inspire, lead, and encourage women to reach their full potential,” the college said.
- Nancy Mwirotsi, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Pi515 in Des Moines, is the Inspiration Award recipient. That award honors a woman who has made a significant impact and inspired other women to become business leaders. Pi515 helps underserved teenagers and refugees access free programming in topics such as computer science, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
- Brooklyn Treinen-Morris, senior strategy development consultant at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, is the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumna Award. Treinen-Morris graduated from the Ivy College in 2020 with a degree in supply chain management and marketing.
An awards ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Reiman Ballroom at the ISU Alumni Center in Ames. Additional information can be found here.
Community-based sexual assault support services set to open after University of Iowa division closes: At the end of September, the University of Iowa’s sexual assault support service will close. By then, the Iowa City-based Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) said its new sexual assault support division serving the same eight-county area will be fully operational, according to this story by Iowa Public Radio.
Iowa’s largest county is offering free emergency contraceptive pills: Emergency contraception tablets are now available at the Polk County Health Department for free and without question, according to this story from Axios. The county’s new program provides recipients with a levonorgestrel tablet, similar to Plan B, which is used to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
Iowa women’s wrestling’s Kennedy Blades takes Olympic silver at 20 years old: Iowa women’s wrestling has its first Olympic medalist. In her first appearance on a senior-level world stage, Team USA’s Kennedy Blades changed her status from young phenom to a star by securing a silver medal on Aug. 11, according to HawkCentral/the Des Moines Register.
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Breaking down barriers to belonging for women of color in tech (Harvard Business Review). Working from home allowed him to be a more engaged dad. Now it’s over. (NPR). Nurse began working at hospital during WWII and hasn’t stopped. She’s 97. (Washington Post). Health officials urge doctors to address IUD insertion pain (New York Times). New data shows just how little single moms make compared to other parents (the 19th News). Breaking the bias: Child-free women in the workplace (Forbes).
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Agribusiness Association of Iowa announces new CEO
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The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) announced recently that Julie Kenney has been hired as its new CEO.
Mark Reisinger has served as interim CEO of the organization since March. Kenney will start her new role on Sept. 1.
Before joining AAI, Kenney has been active in the agribusiness industry for more than 20 years, including five years as deputy secretary of agriculture for Iowa. Kenney also has served in marketing and communications roles for private industry, agricultural associations and checkoff programs, a news release said.
“Julie Kenney brings a large amount of agricultural experience to our organization. She is a proven leader with a reputation for getting things done,” AAI board of directors chair Mark White said in a prepared statement.
Kenney, who is a native of Lohrville, Iowa, also owns and operates a corn and soybean farm in Story County with her family.
“AAI has a strong foundation of promoting opportunities and addressing challenges facing the industry,” Kenney said in a prepared statement. “I’m excited to work with leading businesses and organizations to help build a strong future for agricultural business in this state.”
AAI is the nation’s largest state agribusiness association, the release said. Its members make up the business network that empowers agriculture in Iowa.
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At its core, Fearless exists to help empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. We believe that everyone has a story to share and that we cannot progress as a society unless we know about one another. We share stories through featuring women in our reporting, featuring guest contributions and speakers at our events.
We are always looking for new stories to share and people to feature. Get in touch with us!
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