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Business Record Lift IOWA Weekly | December 4, 2017
LIFT IOWA CALENDAR: The month ahead
By Lift IOWA staff

Dec. 5: Bettendorf Business Network meeting
Host: Bettendorf Business Network
About: Iowa State Extension Service Director Becky Bray and Ginny Wilson-Peters of Integrity Integrated will be the featured speakers at this event. A buffet lunch provided by Hilton Garden Inn will be available for $10.
When: 12 p.m.
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, 959 Middle Road, Bettendorf
Learn more

Dec. 7: EntreFEST Preview - Entrepreneur Day
Host: Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
About: Entrepreneurs take an idea and sculpt it into reality by developing a business through action and risk. Hear from experienced presenters and take part in workshops to expand your knowledge. Your ticket not only gets you access to great speakers and workshops but also grants you access to NewBoCo’s Launch Day.
When: 11:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
Where:  Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First St. S.E., Cedar Rapids
Learn more

Dec. 7: NAWBO Iowa Members Holiday Party
Host: NAWBO Iowa
About: Come celebrate the successes of the holidays with fellow NAWBO Iowa members. The happy hour holiday party includes appetizers, wine, and tap beer. Registration is requested, though the event is free to attend.
When: 4-6 p.m.
Where: Sam & Gabe’s, 600 E. Fifth St., Des Moines
Learn more

Dec. 9: Mindset + Mimosas
Host: FemCity Des Moines
About: FemCity members, get your body and mind in gear for a new year. Kicking the morning off with yoga led by Shelby Kruse, attendees will take stock of 2017 and work on setting goals and removing roadblocks with Annie Woods to make 2018 a season of intentional growth. The cost is $39 for members. To learn about joining FemCity, click here.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: ACADEMIC lash & beauty, 5465 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 243, West Des Moines.
Learn more

Dec. 7: Professional Women's Network Member Appreciation Event
Host: Professional Women's Network - Cedar Rapids
About: As 2017 comes to a close, PWN will acknowledge members at a special members-only appreciation event. The group will provide light appetizers.
When: 5-7 p.m.
Where: Cibo Fusion, 685 Marion Blvd., Marion
Learn more

Dec. 12: Emerging Leaders Webinar Series
Host: Jo Miller, BeLeaderly.com and Cedar Rapids-based Women's Leadership Coaching Inc.
About: The Emerging Women Leaders Webinar Series is a yearlong, six-part series of webinars blending leadership skills training with advice from guest speakers who are senior-level women leaders. In every webinar, participants will hear outstanding women leaders share their top career and leadership tips, add to their toolkit of leadership skills and learn proven strategies to advance their career. The cost to attend the series is $188 per person.
When: Series kicks off Dec. 12
Where: Online
Learn more

Dec. 19: Women's Leadership Network Holiday Breakfast
Host: Women's Leadership Network Dubuque
About: Join WLN-Dubuque for a morning of networking and celebrating as a part of the organization's holiday breakfast.
When: 7:30-9 a.m.
Where: Shalom Retreat Center, 1001 Davis St., Dubuque
Learn more

Guest Opinion: Gentlemen deserve headlines too
By Michelle DeClerck | President, Conference Event Management

It might be entirely possible that headlines regarding women’s issues resonated across the world more so in 2017 than in any year of memory. While many of the headlines were ones no one wanted to see, the ones never written deserve to be.

In a year when gratitude also was a trending topic, the everyday gentleman was slighted. It’s only fitting that we purposely focus on showing our gratitude as well as giving space to these men whose ongoing beliefs and support fail to make the news. Grandfathers, fathers, husbands, sons, male co-workers and friends — these wonderful men made an impression and an impact on helping support and develop wonderful women.  

These men have encouraged women to make their mark, whether through the work they do for others or the work they do for themselves by achieving their place with successful business ownership. The women who came out of positively supported situations may not have experienced major equality setbacks, allowing them to be passionate about their causes and have strong self-esteem. They may have persevered without succumbing to self-sabotaging thoughts.   

The men who cared helped lift up women, encouraging them to follow their dreams. I’ve experienced this with my own biggest supporter — my husband, Jaime, who has consistently helped me see that anything is possible and that if anyone can do it, I can.

Women who had this type of support system are now able to do the same for other women. With men and women supporting women in business, it’s impossible to dream a future that’s not radiant with possibilities, profitability and success. Organizations that don’t embrace the power of women will no doubt be left behind — the good ol’ boys club is sure to become short-lived.    

As foreign as it is to think back 30 years ago, when women had to take men to the bank with them to get a business loan, this article will seem just as out of place 30 years from today when they’re getting ready to ring in 2038. We’ll have accomplished so much, and tomorrow’s children won’t understand how women were disadvantaged in many situations.

I’m convinced it will be commonplace for men and women to have equality in business – after all, we’re not raising our children today to know any different. If my daughter and son continue on their paths to success, they will make their mark by making a difference, by being supportive, and by building each other up – together, free from gender boundaries, alongside your children and grandchildren.  

With gratitude to men who do the right thing today — we appreciate you.  


Michelle DeClerck founded West Des Moines-based Conference Event Management and Financial Speakers Bureau. She is a 2017 Goldman Sachs 10KSB graduate, the 2017 Iowa SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year, the 2017 Inspiring Women of Iowa - Character Award winner, and a Smart Meetings Top Influential Woman - Innovator of the Year Award winner. She recently founded Iowa Hospitality Donation Network to rescue usable products from hospitality venues and get them into the hands of the hungry and homeless, and Mentor Tank to provide opportunities for young women to jump-start their careers. She sits on the Executive Council for Iowa Women Lead Change and for the Lieutenant Governor's Million Women Mentors. She also enrolled her company in the Epic Corporate Challenge to foster opportunities for women at all levels of their careers. Reach out to Michelle via email.
Central Iowa executives graduate from Drake leadership academy
By Lift IOWA staff

Fifteen executives from 13 Central Iowa organizations recently graduated from the Executive Education Center at Drake University’s Leading Others program, a group that included 10 women, according to a release.

The intensive 18-month program is designed to enhance participants’ ability to lead organizations through times of stability and change. Sixty percent of the program’s participants also experienced a promotion or significant increase in responsibilities while enrolled in the program, the release said.

The women who graduated from this year’s program were:

  • Stacy Bagby - vice president, sales and compliance administration, Sammons Retirement Solutions.
  • Emily Berrier - director, commercial underwriting, Nationwide Insurance.
  • Sarah Bonefas - director of development, Food Bank of Iowa.
  • Nataliya Boychenko - assistant vice president, employee benefits and shareholder, Holmes Murphy & Associates.
  • Lori Gaedelmann - vice president, assistant general counsel, FBL Financial Group.
  • Emily Heeren - finance manager, R&D, North America, DuPont Pioneer.
  • Sarah Ramsey - director of executive education, Drake University.
  • Jackie Rolow - executive vice president and chief talent officer, Shazam.
  • Tiffany Tauscheck - chief communications officer, Greater Des Moines Partnership.
  • Cinda Whitten - managing director, Investment Operations, Principal Global Investors.

Leading Others is an open-enrollment program designed for leaders seeking leadership transformation and accelerated growth. Learn more about the program online.

BRIEF LIFTS

CRST Logistics names new president
Corridor Business Journal: Cedar Rapids-based CRST International has named Kimberly Maes president of its logistics operating company, CRST Logistics Inc. Maes has more than 20 years of transportation leadership experience, most recently as president of Swift Logistics LLC. She held leadership roles of progressive responsibility for Schneider National and Gateway, including in global logistics, network planning and finance. Maes started her career as an auditor for KPMG, gaining 10 years' experience in audit accounting for various organizations and industries.


Iowa Women’s Foundation launches child care assistance initiative

The Iowa Women’s Foundation has established a Child Care Collaborative Fund, which will focus on strategies to increase the economic security of women in communities across Iowa by expanding access to quality, affordable child care. The foundation has made its first investment from the fund with a $10,000 grant to Linking Families and Communities in Fort Dodge. The grant will fund pre-design work by an architect for an expansion to the Community Early Learning Center, as well as a new child care center to create 200 additional child care spaces in that community. "The lack of affordable, accessible child care is a major barrier to women’s economic self-sufficiency in all of Iowa’s 99 counties, and in 2018 the Iowa Women’s Foundation will increase our focus on finding solutions to the child care crisis," said Dawn Oliver Wiand, executive director of the Iowa City-based foundation. To learn more about the Iowa Women’s Foundation’s grant-making efforts, visit iawf.org. A video outlining Iowa’s child care crisis can be found on the group's Facebook page.

Des Moines couple honored with outstanding philanthropist award
Peggy Fisher and Larry Stetler recently were named recipients of the 2017 Philanthropy Day award, an honor given by the Central Iowa Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Fisher and Stetler own the Stelter Co. in Urbandale. The Stelter Co. serves over 1,500 nonprofit organizations across the country, assisting with their fundraising marketing. Fisher and Stetler regularly contribute to groups within the community, emphasizing early childhood development and higher education, according to a news release, as well as to organizations benefiting children and families in need. In total, they made major contributions to more than 30 Iowa nonprofits in 2015 and 2016. Fisher and Stetler were recognized at the 32nd Annual Philanthropy Day luncheon, held last month in Des Moines.

IPTV’s Phillips named to national board
Molly Phillips, executive director and general manager of Iowa Public Television, was elected to the PBS board of directors earlier this month. The volunteer board members are responsible for setting policy for PBS. Phillips has led IPTV since 2013. See our Closer Look feature on Phillips at BusinessRecord.com (Insider content).

Armknecht named executive director at Arc of East Central Iowa  
Corridor Business Journal: The Arc of East Central Iowa has named Anne Armknecht as its new executive director following a national search. Armknecht has more than 30 years of experience in executive planning, administration, communications and financial oversight in the nonprofit sector, most recently as CEO of the Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport. She holds an MBA in health care from St. Ambrose University and a bachelor's degree in psychology. The Arc of East Central Iowa is a nonprofit providing service and support to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families in a seven-county area in east-central Iowa.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

IOWA

Organizers of Simpson College’s entrepreneurial program, EMERGE@Simpson, have formed a nonprofit foundation aimed at providing a source of seed funding and expertise to entrepreneurial ventures at Simpson as well as other small private colleges and community colleges in Iowa. Des Moines Business Record

ACT CEO Marten Roorda has joined CEOs from more than 330 of the world's largest companies in signing the CEO ACTion for Diversity and Inclusion pledge, which commits leaders to taking specific actions to increase diversity and inclusion both in their companies and in society as a whole. Corridor Business Journal

Nominations for the Deloitte CFO of the Year award are now open. The award serves to honor an individual for outstanding performance in his or her role as corporate financial steward. Des Moines Business Record

As two couples embarked on new chapters in their lives, a familiar Marion venue has become a new business. Cedar Rapids Gazette

Lisa Schafman wants to give employees at her small business the tools they need to avoid perpetrating sexual harassment, and to respond to incidents should they crop up at the workplace. Quad-City Times

The Quad-City Times featured Ronda Meyer, vice president/controller with Per Mar Security, in last week's "Each One Teach One" spotlight. The regular feature offers career advice from established Quad-City area business and community leaders to those just starting out. Quad-City Times

A popular bakery chain that got its start in Las Vegas has opened a franchise in Clive. Nothing Bundt Cakes, which sells bundt cakes in a variety of sizes and flavors, debuted Nov. 21 at 1255 N.W. 128th St. Franchisees Sharon Hansen and Melissa Hegarty also own Nothing Bundt Cake stores in Omaha and Lincoln. Des Moines Register

When stepping into Traci Paulsen’s new business, people will instantly see a wide range of furniture and other home decor from vintage styling to more modern and unique items. Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil

NATIONAL

The New Voices Fund, a $50 million investment fund established by Unilever and Sundial, will help support black women entrepreneurs. One goal is to address the product needs of multicultural and millennial consumers. Essence online

SPEAK UP
If a decision seems hard, here’s how you tackle it

Often decisions feel important because we resist making them, writes Annie Woods for FemCity Des Moines. When we acknowledge resistance, we allow ourselves to get curious about the roots of it. We then can ask ourselves some questions to decide how to best tackle making the decision.

Read more at FemCity.com.

10 great resources for women entrepreneurs

This year’s headlines are full of stories on technology’s "bro culture" and the gender imbalance in entrepreneurship and the tech world. For all the strides that women have made in starting businesses, a massive divide still exists between male and women founders.

However, a plethora of groups, programs, networks and platforms are designed to encourage and boost female entrepreneurship.

Read more at Mashable.com.

ON THE RISE
Kim Hanken (pictured)
Aureon
Hired as culture and engagement business partner
West Des Moines

Kali Anderson
Lessing-Flynn
Hired as account manager
Des Moines

Cassandra Pudenz
Lessing-Flynn

Hired as account manager
Des Moines

SUBMIT AN ON THE RISE: Know an Iowa woman who recently started a new management or executive-level job? Send her name, position and company, along with a photo, to liftiowa@bpcdm.com.
A LIGHT LIFT
Holiday gifts for women, by women

This holiday season, Lily Lines has essential ideas for just about anyone in your life — from plant parents to your real parents.

Best of all, the gifts in this guide come from women — either created by women or sold by women-owned companies. The goal of the list is to celebrate female creators, makers and leaders.

Read more

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