By Nicole Grundmeier After studying sociology in Mexico, Blanca Plascencia came to the United States to pursue the American dream – but she found herself busing tables, cleaning toilets and rarely seeing her children. She worked at a restaurant from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. “More than half of the Read more…
By Emily Kestel In June 2022, a cohort of human resources leaders from Pakistan visited Des Moines through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Through an opportunity with the Iowa International Center, I was able to spend an afternoon with them talking about gender inclusion in American Read more…
Takeaways from our Fearless Focus conversation on leadership By Emily Kestel For our first Fearless Focus event of the year, the Business Record talked with five Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame honorees about their experiences in leadership, the successes they’ve had and the barriers they’ve faced. Panelists were: Dianne Bystrom, Read more…
By Suzanna de Baca, president and CEO, Business Publications Corp. In 1900, only 6% of married women worked outside the home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Without the ability to earn money of their own or the right to vote, women like my grandmothers were reliant on men for Read more…
Thoughts ahead of Fearless Focus event on leadership By Emily Kestel As part of last year’s Fearless Focus event on leadership, panelists talked about the personal and systemic barriers that women leaders continue to face and what can be done to address them. This is a conversation worth having frequently, Read more…
10 stories of leadership, perseverance and authenticity Interviews by Emily Kestel, Fearless editor | Portraits by Jami Milne, Ballet Des Moines creative director What is it we see when we look at each other? When we really look at the woman to our left or to our right? Society teaches Read more…
As told to Emily Kestel and Jami Milne. Portrait by Jami Milne. What characteristics do you admire in other women? Women who speak truth to power, who show up unapologetically. How do we support the next generation in finding a path to success and fulfillment? By not creating unrealistic expectations. Read more…
As told to Emily Kestel and Jami Milne. Portrait by Jami Milne. What strengths do women bring to the table? Their resiliency. We endure so much as women and we have to show up and get the job done with a smile on our face. What characteristics do you admire Read more…
As told to Emily Kestel and Jami Milne. Portrait by Jami Milne. What characteristics do you admire in other women? I admire women who curse, who are willing to drop the F word. And women who show up authentically. I think the words “too much” are labeled to women when Read more…
As told to Emily Kestel and Jami Milne. Portrait by Jami Milne. What characteristics do you admire in other women? I think women are really good about being honest with each other, and especially good friends, where they can tell you anything, and sometimes it’s hard to hear, but they’re Read more…