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Good morning, Fearless readers:
We’ve got a lot of important news and perspectives for you to read today, so let’s dive right in!
In this week’s Fearless e-newsletter, you will find:
- The announcement of our new Fearless editor: Macey Shofroth.
- A column about maternal health from Jaclyn Overton.
- This month’s Leading Fearlessly column on holding yourself accountable from former Business Publications Corp. CEO Suzanna de Baca.
- In the headlines: In her Condition of the State remarks, Gov. Kim Reynolds made several recommendations related to child care affordability.
- Lots more!
— Emily Barske Wood, Business Record special projects editor
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Meet our new Fearless editor
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| BY MACEY SHOFROTH, FEARLESS EDITOR
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Editor’s note: The Business Record is proud to name Macey Shofroth as our new Fearless editor. Her byline may be familiar to Fearless readers because she’s been working on
freelance stories for us since last April. Macey joins Business Publications Corp. in a role where she will take the lead on Fearless reporting and production, and she will also work with our Business Record design team. We are excited for the ways her background in writing, creative work and equity will help Fearless flourish. I will continue to work closely with Macey on Fearless, and you can always reach out to me with ideas and feedback at emilywood@bpcdm.com. Please give Macey a warm welcome and send story ideas her way at maceyshofroth@bpcdm.com. Without further ado, I’ll let Macey introduce herself.
– Emily Barske Wood
I was born and raised in Monticello, Iowa, and I’m the youngest of four. My family worked at and owned the local newspaper for more than 50 years, beginning with my grandpa when he was a junior in high school until my family sold the paper this past year. I followed the family tradition and graduated with a degree in journalism and creative writing from the University of Iowa. I’ve since worked a variety of marketing and writing jobs, and I write a Substack called “The Midwest Creative.”
I now live in the Des Moines metro area with my husband, Matt, and our two cats, Roxie and Rosie. My biggest passion outside of work is Camp Hertko Hollow, a camp for kids with Type 1 diabetes, which I was diagnosed with at age 5. I attended camp from ages 7 to 15 and have volunteered as a counselor since I was 20. It was there I met Matt, who is also a longtime camper and counselor and now works for camp as the camp and family programs manager.
I enjoy weight lifting, spending time with my large family and cheering on Iowa Hawkeye sports. I’m also training for my first half marathon in April — my own commitment to
being fearless this year.
I’ve been a voracious reader and writer my entire life. I’m particularly interested in social justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights and personal narrative that explores wider ideas about the world. I have always been drawn to the stories of strong women leaders, those who disrupt the narrative of who women should be and create their own paths. Women who I could look up to as a young girl who often felt like “too much.” I’m so excited to use this space to lift up all the brilliant, bold, fearless women across the state of Iowa.
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Essay: How becoming a mother taught me the importance of self-advocacy
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 My oldest daughter just turned 5. Looking back at photos from the day she was born, I’m reminded of the pure, unmatched joy I felt. Becoming a mother was something I dreamed of more than anything, and it’s a title I feel so deeply honored to have.
As I look back, that joy is what I hold onto most. But there’s another side of the story I carry with me, too.
That day, I learned just how close joy and fear can live, and how experiencing both has shaped the way I want to show up as a mother, a friend, and for myself.
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, the pregnancy was smooth and low-risk. Still, I worried. Was she growing as she should? Would she be born prematurely? Would she have complications and need time in the NICU? I agonized about her well-being for 39 weeks. And when I finally heard her cry for the first time, I exhaled a breath that I felt like I’d been holding for nine months.
They gave her to me, and I saw how perfect she was.
But a few moments later, the doctor asked my husband to take our daughter. They couldn’t get my bleeding under control.
As they worked, they talked through contingency plans: medications first, a medical device if needed, emergency surgery and a hysterectomy as a last result.
In all of my worrying and the countless scenarios I’d imagined, this was one I never
considered: complications of my own.
Thankfully, my care team managed to stabilize the bleeding through medications. In total, they estimated I lost around four times the amount of blood as a normal delivery.
Postpartum hemorrhage is a complication in 1% to 5% of births and the second leading cause of maternal death in the U.S. I was lucky. No surgery or transfusions were required. Just extra iron and time to recover. Other women who experience postpartum hemorrhage face far worse outcomes.
Still, it took me a long time to process the magnitude of that day. And if I’m honest, I think I’m still processing it in some ways. It was the first time I felt like
my body had truly failed me.
When my husband and I considered expanding our family a few years later, I knew I had a slightly elevated chance of postpartum hemorrhage recurrence. But now I had a beautiful little girl who depended on me. Should we even try for another child? Was the risk too great?
Wanting to be as informed as possible, I sought out a highly recommended OB-GYN. She was incredible, taking the time to listen to my concerns and explain every precaution they could take. Her reassurance and
perspectives on the potential risks helped me feel as confident as I could in the choice to expand our family.
I became pregnant again in 2022. This time, though, it was with twins — a factor that moved me into a high-risk pregnancy and further increased my risk for postpartum hemorrhage.
I left that seven-week appointment overwhelmed and terrified.
In the weeks that followed, I realized the best way to combat my fear was to advocate fiercely for myself because in doing so, I was advocating for my family too.
For 38 weeks, I told every doctor I saw about my past complications and asked how any new recommendations might affect my risk. Speaking up often felt uncomfortable, but I knew it was the best way to ensure
the safest outcome for me and my children.
In the spring of 2023, we welcomed two beautiful, healthy baby girls into the world. While I still lost 1 1/2 times more blood than an average twin delivery, my care team was prepared. Prophylactic medications and a medical device quickly controlled the bleeding.
I share this story because Jan. 23 marks National Maternal Health Day — a reminder of the critical importance of maternal health in pregnancy. I was fortunate to have access to the right expertise and resources, but as maternal mortality rates rise across the nation, we must ensure the same
holds true for every woman. This is especially important here in Iowa, where we rank last in OB-GYN access per capita.
I knew motherhood would teach me so
much, and yet, some lessons caught me completely off guard. This journey has shown me how vital it is to advocate for myself and be a voice for others. If there’s anything from my own maternal health journey I could pass along, it would be this:
Advocate fiercely for yourself. As women, we’re quick to advocate for our children, spouses and parents but often hesitate when it comes to our own health. I’ve learned that advocating for my health is an act of love for my family. Speak up, ask questions, get second opinions and
demand the care you deserve.
Advocate fiercely for the women in your life. Share your story and encourage others to do the same. Your experience could be the nudge someone needs to take their health concerns seriously. Let’s prioritize women’s health in our conversations and ensure every concern — whether maternal or otherwise — is met with attention and compassion.
Advocate fiercely for our community and initiatives that push us toward better outcomes. New and
innovative programs like MercyOne’s statewide Maternal Transport Team are stepping in to provide support for rural, high-risk pregnancies. Efforts like these deserve our full support. They will save lives.
When I think back to the births of my daughters, I used to struggle with the mix of emotions I felt. That it was wrong to let fear and trauma cloud such beautiful milestones. But as I’ve reflected on those moments, I’ve come to see the beauty in their complexity.
It’s the combination of joy and fear, love and grief, that has shaped me into a stronger mother and friend. I’m more grateful than ever for the life I get to live and the daughters I get to love. And most of all, I’m proud to show my girls how to advocate fiercely for themselves and for the people they care about.
Jaclyn Overton is a wife, mother, marketer and lifelong Iowan. She and her husband stay busy keeping up with three beautiful, spirited daughters.
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Leading Fearlessly: Holding ourselves accountable
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| BY SUZANNA DE BACA, FORMER BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS CORP. CEO
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Throughout my career, I've faced my share of challenges. When things got really tough, I'd frequently lean on one of my best friends who was a savvy businesswoman. It wasn't about complaining, but about having someone who understood my situation help keep me accountable. One time, self-doubt was crippling me during a major turnaround. My friend reminded me of specific skills and past successes, which helped me regain my confidence. I wouldn't have made it through without her.
The path to leadership presents significant challenges for everyone, but women often encounter additional hurdles. While accountability is essential for all leaders, it takes on added importance for women as we navigate societal expectations, implicit bias and the pressure to constantly prove ourselves.
Given these unique obstacles faced by women, I felt optimistic recently when I read the 2024 KPMG Women's Leadership Summit Report. I was pleased to see that a striking 73% of survey respondents say they aspire to a C-suite role and the same percentage believe it is possible. Those statistics demonstrated to me that advancements achieved by pioneering women leaders have paved the way for future generations to see leadership positions as actually attainable versus out of reach. However, the report also underscores the continued need for supportive organizational cultures and transparent performance evaluations, factors that can significantly affect how we as women leaders hold ourselves accountable.
Unfortunately, we must often go beyond traditional metrics to measure our impact and address potential biases within our organizations. The 2024 Lean In Women in the Workplace 10th Anniversary Report refers to internal barriers such as perfectionism, imposter syndrome or self-criticism and
external factors like gender bias, caregiving or household responsibilities and societal expectations on appearance or emotional labor; these are all real obstacles that can make it difficult for us to hold ourselves accountable for our goals.
In the classic Harvard Business Review article, “Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers,” authors Herminia Ibarra, Robin J. Ely and Deborah M. Kolb argue that the challenges we face extend beyond just acquiring the necessary business skills. They
discuss the fundamental identity shift involved in becoming a leader, and how many organizations fail to acknowledge or address how we are perceived in comparison to traditional qualities associated with leadership. This scrutiny can heighten self-doubt for women leaders, hindering our ability to advance and hold ourselves accountable for our own career progression.
Despite these challenges, women leaders have developed remarkable strategies for holding ourselves accountable. Many emphasize the importance of setting clear, measurable goals and regularly tracking our progress. We are increasingly recognizing that it is critical to nurture ourselves, paying attention to our own health to combat stress and prevent burnout. Building strong support networks, both
personally and professionally, is another crucial strategy. Mentors, sponsors, coaches and trusted colleagues can provide invaluable guidance, support and a sounding board for ideas.
And sometimes, you just need advice and a pep talk from your best girlfriend.
I turned to local leaders and asked them to share some ways they hold themselves accountable for meeting goals — and why this is so important for female leaders.
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 Mary Jane Cobb, president, Mary Jane Cobb Coaching & Consulting LLC
Ginger Rogers said about her dancing partnership with Fred Astaire, “I did everything Fred did, only backward and in high heels.” This statement serves as a metaphor for the extra effort women often need to exert to achieve success compared to their male counterparts. A key part of that drive for success is self-accountability.
As I transitioned from chief executive to coach and consultant, I found it crucial to determine what I should hold myself accountable for and how to measure my success. I started with a long list of goals but eventually narrowed it down to three that aligned most closely with what brings me joy and fulfillment.
Having an accountability partner or coach can be extremely helpful in this process. I prefer to see my goals written in my own handwriting. Each month, I review my progress toward these goals and make any necessary adjustments along the
way.
First, self-accountability is tough, especially for women. We are often juggling multiple demands of others that our own goals tend to slip in priority on our to-do list.
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Bridget Cravens-Neely, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
What helps me hold myself accountable is blocking distractions. I'm focused on my North Star. I do a self-check on whether a task or action is getting me closer to the goal. I also evaluate what impact those actions have on my productivity. I write down my thoughts and organize them into categories, so I can stay focused on the main things and not "chase the shiny objects." I also check in with others to help me re-prioritize when I get overwhelmed. It helps me reassess, so I regain my focus.
As women, we are still challenged to justify why we are in certain roles and spaces. We have to be confident in who we are to block the noise. Self-accountability is important because it builds self-confidence. When I complete a goal, it gives me a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that fuels me to keep pushing toward that North Star.
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 Diana Deibler, president, Deibler & Co.
I’m a big fan of Newton’s first law of motion: An object in motion stays in motion. I use this principle to hold myself accountable and maintain momentum — with a twist. When I hit a roadblock, such as trying to decide between ideas or waiting on a client’s input, I don’t stay stuck or simply wait. Instead, I pivot to something productive — scheduling an appointment, outlining an agenda or organizing my workspace. I call this “productive procrastination.”
This approach helps:
1. Avoid the guilt from traditional procrastination.
2. Set a placeholder for the task while engaging in productive activities.
3. Generate the energy needed to return to the project I’ve placed on hold.
If I don’t have time for this approach, I switch over to defining what success looks like and start working with that in mind, accepting a nonlinear, messy process that nonetheless results in progress. The key is to make staying in motion part of accountability, and the results will follow.
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Christina Fernández-Morrow, editor-in-chief, Hola America Publications
Several years ago, a friend invited Latina leaders to a Bucket List party. Stationery items surrounded a basket, and we were to write down our future goals, share them and toss them in the basket.
The room fell silent as we contemplated but quickly buzzed with excitement as we read our goals
aloud. We discovered shared dreams, offered encouragement and asked questions.
Then, she said, “Now, reach in and grab someone’s goal. You'll be their accountability partner, their cheerleader and sounding board.”
Sharing my aspirations with someone who believed in me and kept me on track was empowering and incredibly powerful. When I checked on my partner's progress, it motivated me to work on my own goals. This mutual support helped me complete my Master of Fine Arts, launch businesses and
maintain a healthier lifestyle. I still use accountability partners because reciprocity with supportive women turns dreams into reality.
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Rachelle Keck, president, Grand View University
Accountability is a potent tool for growth, and I regularly use several accountability tactics.
First, I claim my goals by writing them out as if I’ve already achieved them, then place them in a prominent location (e.g., monitor, phone screen, etc.) to further fuel my focus. Second, I speak my goals out loud — to myself and to others, often using social media. In sharing my goals with others, I frequently receive valuable feedback, in addition to holding myself accountable. If no one knows about your goal, no one has
to know you haven’t achieved it or made progress toward achieving it. Speaking goals out loud further embeds possibility in our brains, making the goal feel achievable and reminding us to keep going.
The more I do this, the more I understand the power behind the process, and my courage to continue toward my goals is strengthened.
Suzanna de Baca is a columnist for Business Record, CEO of Story Board Advisors and former CEO of BPC. Story Board Advisors provides strategic guidance and coaching for CEOs, boards of directors and family businesses. You can reach Suzanna at sdebaca@storyboardadvisors.com.
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| Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivers her annual Condition of the State address Tuesday night at the state Capitol building. Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register
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Child care a major focus in governor’s address: In her Condition of the State remarks, Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed launching a statewide Childcare Solutions Fund based on a recent pilot program launched in 10 Iowa communities that allows businesses, philanthropists and nonprofits to contribute funds to boost wages for child care workers. As part of the pilot program, working with the Iowa Women’s Foundation, the state contributed $3 million to facilitate the creation of the regional community solutions funds, Reynolds said.
She also proposed making a state pilot program that
provides free child care to child care workers, aimed at decreasing staff turnover. A third child care proposal would establish a Continuum of Care program managed by Early Childhood Iowa that will provide three-year grants for preschool programs and child care providers that come together to integrate their services. Reynolds said the funds could be used toward transportation costs to bring the children from school to the child care facility.
Latina Leadership Initiative welcomes new cohort: The Latina Leadership Initiative (LLI), a professional development program designed for Latinas, has announced its 2025 cohort, according to Hola Iowa. The cohort includes 16 participants and 15 mentors who will attend weekly sessions focused on topics such as career planning, public speaking, imposter syndrome, salary negotiation, entrepreneurship and financial planning. View the full list of participants and mentors.
Mary Earnhardt to lead Iowa Gaming Association: The Iowa Gaming Association announced Mary Earnhardt will be its next president and CEO, effective Jan. 21. Earnhardt previously served as chief of staff to Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver since 2018. She’s worked in other positions within the Iowa state government, as well as for PolicyWorks and Iowans for
Tax Relief. She will replace former President Wes Ehrecke, who is retiring after 25 years in the role.
Iowa State University Extension hosts Women in Agriculture focus groups in Linn, Benton and Jones counties: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach began a series of Women in Agriculture focus groups in Vinton last week. The organization plans to implement new programming for people in Linn, Benton and Jones counties, and the focus groups are meant to brainstorm issues for the programming to address. The group discussed
farm prices, mental health concerns in the ag industry and other issues faced by women in agriculture. Additional meetings will be held in Hiawatha, Monticello and virtually throughout January, according to KCRG.
Iowa City VA expands to meet rising demand for women veterans’ care: The Iowa City VA Health Care System announced its plans to expand its main campus hospital to accommodate the increasing population of women veterans. Two additional floors and 27,500 square feet will meet the Women’s Health Clinic’s growing demand for services, which is expected to rise by 160% over the next decade. The $16 million expansion is expected to be completed by fall 2026, according to the Corridor Business Journal.
Mercy leader in aging, dementia support recognized with Community Weaver Award: Kathy Good of Cedar Rapids received the third annual Community Weaver Award from the Worldmaker Resilience Institute for her work opening the Chris & Suzy DeWolf Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia with Mercy Cedar Rapids. The Innovation Center provides support for people
living with dementia and their caregivers, a cause Good is familiar with after caring for her late husband with Alzheimer’s. It is believed to be the first center of its kind connected to a residential senior living community in the United States, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
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“I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER — LINKED, INFORMED AND EDUCATED — CAN BRING PEACE AND PROSPERITY TO THIS FORSAKEN PLANET.”
- ISABEL ALLENDE
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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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