Career Pathways & Advancement
Leading Fearlessly: What are the most critical skills for up-and-coming leaders?
Did you know that companies that develop a strong bench of leaders are six times more likely to engage and retain top talent than organizations that do not? That finding was reported in a new 2023 Global Leadership Forecast conducted by consulting firm DDI, which showed developing high-potential leaders is a critical step in retaining Read more…
Leadership
2023 Women of Influence: ‘A small stone thrown on an otherwise still pond creates big ripples’
The Business Record’s 2023 Women of Influence celebration at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown on Aug. 3 was an evening of networking, gratitude and reflection. The 10 honorees in the Business Record’s 24th Women of Influence recognition shared thoughts about the most important people and most important lessons in their Read more…
Confidence
Leading Fearlessly: Isn’t it about time to challenge imposter syndrome?
By Suzanna de Baca, president and CEO, Business Publications Corp. Not long ago, a friend who is the president of a large financial institution confessed to me that despite her education and success, for most of her career she has felt like a phony. It was only relatively recently that Read more…
Business Ownership
Wells Fargo commercial lending executive: ‘Women are over-mentored and under-sponsored’
Women business leaders should establish relationships with banks early on, even if they aren’t yet in the market for borrowing to grow, a Wells Fargo executive told Fearless. “They’re going to understand your business better when you [do] need it,” said Judith Goldkrand. Goldkrand is a Wells Fargo senior vice Read more…
Advocacy & Community Involvement
After Sharon Malheiro’s death, Iowa’s LGBTQ community navigates grief and advocacy
Sometimes it seemed as if Sharon Malheiro was everyone’s mom. “When she died, it felt like, ‘Well, Mom is gone, and we’re not ready to be Mom yet,’” said Des Moines attorney Breanna Young. This is Iowa’s first Pride month without Malheiro, a longtime attorney and activist who was instrumental Read more…
Advocacy & Community Involvement
Kate Zimmerman balances conservation, sustainable agriculture as new director of Whiterock Conservancy
By Nicole Grundmeier Kate Zimmerman proves that you can always go home. And, she is determined to do whatever she can to protect it. Zimmerman grew up on a farm in Guthrie County, where her parents raised Hereford cattle. “I was one of four kids, but I was the only Read more…
Leadership
Leading Fearlessly: The tyranny of mansplaining (and it isn’t just men who do it)
By Suzanna de Baca, president and CEO, Business Publications Corp. Have you ever had a situation in a meeting where a person – perhaps a man – explained something to you that you obviously had expertise in, or doubted your qualifications publicly? This used to happen to me frequently as a Read more…
Leadership
‘Imposter syndrome is a real thing’: 6 Iowa female leaders share tales of adversity, perseverance at Tina Talks in West Des Moines
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…