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Good morning, Fearless readers:
Last week, we shared that we have some exciting new content coming your way soon. We need your help to make it the best it can be!
At Fearless, we have the
opportunity to talk to incredible, fearless women from across the state of Iowa.
What questions do you have for these women who are blazing paths and breaking glass ceilings wherever they go?
What advice are you searching for that might take you to the next level of your career or help you find success in life?
We want to answer you directly. Send us your questions and thoughts: maceyshofroth@bpcdm.com!
In this week’s Fearless e-newsletter, you will find:
- Our 2025 Women of Influence explore how gender equity has evolved.
- A column from Courtney Koch about building strong, female leadership in male-dominated industries.
- In the headlines: Flynn Wright appointed Kiersten Maertens to partner.
- A break from the news: A look back at five years of Iowa Stops Hunger.
- Lots more!
— Macey Shofroth, Fearless editor
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How has gender equity evolved since your childhood? 2025 Women of Influence respond
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| COMPILED BY EMILY BARSKE WOOD, SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR
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The Business Record’s Women of Influence awards celebrate the work of Central Iowa women who have attained success while helping others along the way. From a variety of career paths and walks of life, they've devoted their time to making an impact. They've spent countless hours on various initiatives, working on major issues and blazing a trail either personally or professionally for other women to follow.
This year’s Women of Influence included:
- Courtney
Clarke, mayor of Waukee | vice president, institutional portfolio manager, PMA Financial Network, LLC
- Bridget Cravens-Neely, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
- Suzanna de Baca, CEO, Story Board Advisors | former CEO, Business Publications Corp.
- Sally Dix,
president, Bravo Greater Des Moines
- Sally Frank, professor of law, Drake University
- Christina Moffatt, assistant director of business development for income solutions, Principal Financial Group
- Jackie Norris, chair, Des Moines School Board | president and owner, Horizon Group
- Dawn Refsell, North America field sciences leader, trait characterization and development, Corteva Agriscience
- Iowa State University Ivy College of Business Woman Business Owner of the Year: Kimberly Baeth, president, Cutting Edge Success | founder, Golden Openings
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Emerging Woman of Influence: Courtney Shaw, chief communications and engagement officer, Greater Des Moines Partnership
We asked each of
the women to share with Fearless how they believe gender equity can be achieved. Here’s what they had to say.
How has gender equity evolved since your childhood?
Courtney Clarke: While women are heard more often and the percentage of women in the C-suite and state legislatures has increased to approximately 30% in 2024, I’m not sure gender equity has improved as much as we would like to believe. Female experts in court testimony are still viewed as less confident and credible, female professors are consistently rated lower than male professors in knowledge and other metrics, etc. After 45 years of gains, it is apparent we still have work to do.
Bridget Cravens-Neely: Women have more opportunities to show what they can do in spaces traditionally occupied
by men. Had it not been for the evolution of gender equity, I would not be in the leadership role I am today. I am living my dream – leading a business that serves our most vulnerable citizens.
Suzanna de Baca: Since my childhood, there has been notable progress in women’s representation in various sectors. However, true equity remains elusive, especially in leadership roles. While societal attitudes have shifted, structural barriers persist, necessitating continued advocacy and systemic change to achieve genuine gender parity.
Sally Dix: I’m lucky to be in a relationship where my husband and I share the adulting responsibilities. We don’t always do everything 50/50, but I think it’s an evolution that we expect each other to work together, well beyond the traditional social roles, to be a team and get done what needs
to be done for our shared life requirements. The fact that it was never a question for us feels like progress.
Sally Frank: It got stronger as I was growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, but lately we have taken major steps backwards.
Christina Moffatt: When I was growing up, women faced legal and financial barriers, like being unable to secure loans without a male co-signer. This dependency limited career and entrepreneurial opportunities. Today, milestones such as women independently purchasing homes and securing business loans highlight progress. Despite persistent pay gaps and underrepresentation in leadership, gender equity has advanced significantly. Moving from a time when financial autonomy was unattainable for women to one where they can build wealth and invest in their futures showcases the strides made in achieving
gender equity since my childhood.
Jackie Norris: I was raised to expect that my husband/partner would contribute to household duties, and I have raised my sons with that same expectation.
Dawn Refsell: The narrative around roles in agriculture still carries outdated perceptions — about who belongs, who leads and whose contributions matter. Women in agriculture continue to face skepticism in areas like equipment operation, financial management, agronomy, livestock decisions and succession planning. Access to land, capital and mentorship is often unequal, compounding these challenges. I was fortunate to grow up seeing strong women operating machinery, providing agronomic support, leading 4-H clubs and serving throughout my rural community. Because of their example, I’ve always known I belong. Today, social media amplifies
these stories — showcasing women in agriculture and beyond, and reinforcing the belief that others can succeed in those roles too.
Kimberly Baeth: Women’s rights have undergone significant changes, marked by advancements in political representation, economic opportunities and reproductive rights. These changes are due in part to the second-wave feminist movement, which focused on addressing issues like discrimination and equal pay. In the U.S., 88.9% of legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal, with a focus on violence against women, are in place.
Courtney Shaw: Women today have more visible support, mentorship and access to leadership opportunities. I was fortunate to grow up in a household where my parents modeled partnership and shared
responsibility, which gave me a strong foundation.
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Guest commentary: Building strong female leaders in the face of gender inequality
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| BY COURTNEY KOCH, GUEST COLUMNIST
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The gender gap between female and male leaders within the architecture field has been a longstanding issue around the world, and it’s important to highlight the challenges women have faced in architecture and the roads that have been paved for female leaders such as myself. I’m proud to work for a company striving to bridge this gap.
Despite increasing numbers of women entering the architecture field, more men still hold leadership roles such as firm principals, influential voices in major projects or C-suite level executives, with women making up only 21% of the highest-ranking jobs at the 100 largest architecture firms around the globe.
As a principal architect at CMBA Architects, I represent the underwhelming percentage of female leaders in architecture. I’m thankful to work for a company that prides itself on supporting women and their professional and personal growth. Here are a few strategies companies can take to better represent women in leadership
fields:
Implement a culture that not only values hard work, but values people
Creating a workplace culture rooted in passion for the profession, clients and co-workers fosters an environment conducive to both professional and personal growth. When employees feel valued through recognition, professional development and inclusive policies, they are more likely to excel. Encouraging strong client relationships and supportive co-worker interactions further enhances job satisfaction and performance. By
promoting open communication, work-life balance and clear career paths, organizations can ensure that all employees can thrive.
Provide mentors for women
One reason why women are underrepresented in leadership roles is due to their lack of female mentors in professions like architecture. Learning experiences for all employees, with leadership development and mentorship programs throughout each level of employment, is crucial for diverse representation. Providing mentors for young professionals to look up
to helps immensely. CMBA offers a summer internship program where students aspiring to break into the world of architecture can dive into hands-on experience, establish relationships with mentors and develop real-world skills early on in their careers.
Represent diverse teams at the bottom
Change doesn’t start at the top. It starts at the bottom. An equal representation of female leaders in project teams creates a ripple effect that spreads all the way into top-level roles. By ensuring women play a
role in each of our projects, our firm provides women with increased visibility within the architecture field and provides the opportunity to develop necessary leadership skills and grow within their careers.
Diversity breeds success, and it’s clear that when we support the advancement of women, companies thrive.
With 21 years of experience, Courtney Koch is a principal architect at CMBA Architects. She is known for designing spaces that foster connection and community. Koch believes architecture is
as much about relationships as it is about buildings, creating environments that support well-being and interaction.
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“YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THIS MOUNTAIN SO THAT YOU CAN SHOW OTHERS IT CAN BE MOVED.”
MEL ROBBINS
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Kiersten Maertens appointed to partner at Flynn Wright. Flynn Wright announced Kiersten Maertens, VP of account services, was promoted to agency partner on July 10. She began with the company as an intern in 2006 and held several positions throughout her tenure. “Throughout her career at Flynn Wright, Kiersten has demonstrated a keen understanding of how we operate this business in a way that drives long-term client success alongside positive business outcomes for our team. As someone who started her journey as an intern, she fulfills the promise that at Flynn Wright, anything is possible,"Paul Schlueter, president of Flynn Wright and agency partner said in a release. Maertens is the seventh partner at the agency.
Speaker lineup announced for WDM women’s conference. The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has announced the mentor lineup for its eighth annual Mentoring for Women Conference on Sept. 19 at the West Des Moines Marriott. The event aims to give Central Iowa women the chance to learn from regional leaders through fast-paced coaching sessions and interactive learning activities. The conference will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with breakfast and lunch served. This year’s lunch will feature a Tina Talks keynote-style session with dynamic leaders from across the region, including:
- Emily Abbas: chief of staff, EVP, chief consumer banking and marketing officer, Bankers Trust
- Dianne Bystrom: director emerita, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University
- Carole Chambers: career center coordinator, Dress for Success
- Renee Hardman: city councilwoman, city of West Des Moines and president and CEO, Lutheran Services in Iowa
- Blaire Massa: CEO, Ballet Des Moines
- Jackie Norris: president and owner, Horizon Group and chair, Des Moines School Board
The Mentoring for Women Conference provides opportunities for women to gain insights and build connections with industry leaders. Attendees will benefit from a diverse range of expertise from the scheduled mentors. Registration closes Sept. 15.
How an Ankeny girl inspired the Iowa State Fair to make a playground for kids of all kinds. In 2024, Kinsley Hagerman attended the Iowa State Fair for the first time. Her health issues due to being born extremely premature at 23 weeks had kept her from large crowds, but she and her parents were working on overcoming that fear. To get more comfortable around other kids, Kinsley and her mom would play on and rate different
playgrounds. The park at the Iowa State Fairgrounds quickly received a 0/10 when Kinsley found the equipment wasn't accessible for kids like her. Her story prompted Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons to initiate a $700,000 renovation to the playground so all kids could play there. The adaptive playground opened on the first day of the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Read Kinsley's story in the Des Moines Register.
Woman honors brother’s life by creating event to support men’s mental health. After losing her brother to
suicide, Kalina Lord created the "Lines for Life"fishing tournament to honor his legacy. The tournament takes place at Ottumwa Lagoons on Saturday, Sept. 20. Lord said this was a way to honor her brother's love of fishing and community while raising awareness for men's mental health and suicide prevention. The event is free to the public and prizes are available. Register for the event here.
Mindspring Mental Health Alliance to host special issues in women's mental health webinar. Mindspring Mental Health Alliance, a Des Moines-based nonprofit that provides no-cost mental health education, support and advocacy, will host a webinar on special issues in women's mental health on Wednesday, Aug. 20. The webinar will explore the causes, symptoms and treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Perinatal Depression and Perinatal Anxiety,
as well as how to manage the symptoms. Registration is required.
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Winner of the 2025 Inspiring Women of Iowa Courage Award wants to empower young girls (Hola Iowa). This Is Iowa: Meet the women who broke barriers at KCCI (KCCI). A promising path to breast cancer treatment just hit a political roadblock (The 19th). 11 women, 9 dogs, not much drama (and no guys) (New York Times). As Trump administration plans to burn contraceptives, Europeans are alarmed (New York Times). Trump cuts threaten access to birth control for millions of women (NPR).
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A look back - Five years of Iowa Stops Hunger
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When Business Publications Corporation launched the Iowa Stops Hunger initiative five years ago, the country was grappling with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity within our state was one issue that came into sharp focus as
communities dealt with the turbulence that followed a global pandemic. As a media company, we decided to use our voice and inspire action through our Iowa Stops Hunger initiative. Since then, we’ve explored the issue from various angles, met community members making an impact and seen firsthand many of the ways in which we can come together to alleviate hunger. We took a look back at some of our most impactful stories from the last five years. Read more.
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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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