6 Iowa women share times they were fearless, resilient We launched Fearless in 2020 with a simple goal: We want to empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. We believe supporting women and gender-nonconforming individuals ultimately helps everyone. This initiative has grown significantly in the six years that Read more…
Abi Reiland opened the 2026 Taking Up Space event with a quote from Elizabeth Gilbert. “When women are gathered together with no men around, they don’t have to be anything in particular. They can just be.” Reiland said this quote captured the essence of what she hoped her annual event Read more…
This is the second in a series on women and entrepreneurship. America is experiencing a remarkable surge in entrepreneurship, and women are driving much of that momentum. As more women launch businesses, they are expanding the definition of entrepreneurship itself, building organizations that create financial value while also developing people, Read more…
Mary Andringa’s dad founded their family business, Vermeer Corp., exactly one year before she was born. She’d go on to make history with her father’s business, becoming co-CEOs with her brother, Robert Vermeer, in 2003 and becoming sole CEO in 2009. She was chair of the company in addition to CEO Read more…
Compiled by Macey Shofroth and Emily Barske Wood More than two-thirds of Iowa women say they have experienced gender bias at work, according to a recent Business Record survey. Respondents noted challenges related to child care, not being taken seriously and wage disparities as some of the main causes of Read more…
BY LINDSEY GIARDINO, FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR Emily Eaves was raised by an entrepreneur, so she naturally sees the world a little differently. “Instead of just noticing the problems people have, I start thinking of solutions,” the 21-year-old University of Northern Iowa student said. That mindset is especially evident through her new 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 she anticipated. “I had gone into a local commercial bank Read more…
NAWBO Iowa’s past presidents share perspectives Iowa’s chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners gathered on Dec. 2 for its 2025 Celebration of Excellence and honored the accomplishments of women business owners across the state. The group honored three women: Barb Kniff McCulla, hall of fame legacy honoree; Read more…
Five years ago, the Business Record launched Fearless. Our goal is simple: We want to empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. Through our weekly e-newsletter, ongoing print features and events, we have worked to live up to our mission. We’ve told countless stories that have both inspired Read more…
As told to Macey Shofroth | Photo by Duane Tinkey Lalonyo AnyaCeng was born in a refugee camp in Uganda. Her parents had fled conflict in South Sudan while her mother was pregnant with her. She spent the first 16 years of her life in refugee camps. Her family was Read more…