By Molly Varangkounh, guest contributor I am the mom of three daughters who are now young adults. From the beginning, I have been aware that the small, ordinary choices I make every day shape how they see themselves and how Read more…
Author’s note: This article is the third in a multipart series exploring the power of mentorship in shaping modern leadership. Inspired by a recent Fearless survey in which 86% of respondents reported that a mentor directly supported their career advancement, Read more…
By Brittany Heard, guest contributor Having walked alongside several women as they went through separation or divorce, I have seen firsthand how overwhelming, emotional and isolating this transition can be. For many women, divorce brings not only grief and uncertainty, Read more…
Karla Rendall arrived in Des Moines in 1999 with a new degree in special education and the goal of finding a teaching job. While the path she eventually took has allowed her to educate others, it looked much different than Read more…
By Krista Tedrow, Guest contributor What if this year didn’t need fixing? What if you didn’t need another list, another reset, another version of yourself that requires discipline and self-correction to exist? What if you chose a word? Instead of Read more…
By Jenna Feeney, Guest contributor I first learned about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the Aug. 21, 2023, Fearless newsletter guest column by Krista Tedrow, and the concept was further discussed in the Nov. 13, 2023, article about The Beacon. Read more…
By Carrie Clogg, foundation director, Businessolver In recent years, the share of U.S. charitable giving directed to organizations serving women and girls has surpassed 2% for the first time, totaling over $11 billion annually. This milestone reflects a broader shift: Read more…
BY RACHEL BRUNS, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR This is part 1 of an ongoing series on maternal health care from Rachel Bruns. I began my journey into Iowa’s maternal health system eight years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child. Read more…
Author’s note: This article is the second in a multipart series exploring the power of mentorship in shaping modern leadership. Inspired by a recent Fearless survey in which 86% of respondents reported that a mentor directly supported their career advancement, Read more…
By Ashlee Vieregger, JD, CFP®, CTFA, AEP®, TPCP®, Senior Lead Advisor & Shareholder, Foster Group It’s early January and I’m already bored with the same old New Year’s resolutions, often some combination of eat better, exercise more, purge clutter or Read more…