Focus: Kolbe Assessment with Kari Smith

Thursday, November 18

NEW VENUE - EATERY A (2932 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA)

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Kari Smith is a Kolbe Certified Consultant and helps business owners & executives discover opportunities to increase productivity, enhance user experience, improve efficiency and support operational sustainability through prudent asset management strategies. For over twenty-five years, Kari has been an active member of the Des Moines community supporting entrepreneurism, arts, culture and community development by helping organizations and individuals design and implement strategies to creatively and sustainably engage audiences and stakeholders. She is former owner of Schaffer’s Bridal.

Impact of Conservation and Outdoor Recreation on Central Iowa/ICON Water Trails

Thursday, October 21

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Jen Cross is the VP of Donor Relations at the Great Outdoors Foundation assisting in fundraising projects throughout Central Iowa, including ICON Water Trails, which will encompass over 150 miles of water trails and 80+ amenities, with a goal of $125 million between public and private dollars. Cross also works with Polk County Conservation, local jurisdictions and provides general fundraising support for Great Outdoors Foundation. Through fundraising efforts, she will broaden and deepen the impact of conservation and outdoor recreation in Iowa.

Cross comes to the Great Outdoors Foundation from Catch Des Moines, where she served as the Director of Development and Partnerships since 2014. Cross is a Business Record Forty Under 40 (2021). Cross graduated from St. Ambrose University as a student-athlete with two Bachelor’s degrees in PR & Strategic Communication and Radio/TV Production. She and her husband, Kye, reside in Ankeny with their son, Brixton (1) and their pup Sadie.

Thursday, February 20

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

BI Worldwide - "Behavioral Economics in the Workplace"

Megan Zach is a Director of Strategy & Business Development with BI Worldwide, an engagement agency that looks to inspire and motivate people using the science of behavioral economics.  She is certified in Behavioral Economics.  Prior to BI Worldwide, Megan’s work focused on helping companies with human capital management during her 14 years at ADP. 

Thursday, January 16

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

**Starts 15 minutes earlier to allow time for the workshop**

11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Communication Skills Workshop – “Speak As Well As Your Think” with Dardis Communications

Learn to speak as well as you think!  A powerful message is lost without powerful delivery.   During this 1-hour workshop participants you will learn how to overcome inhibitions and speak with purpose.    You will walk out with techniques that are immediately applicable and relevant. 

• Discuss the overall importance of good communication skills – what’s at stake 
• Achieve your personal brand with purpose
• Understand the components of powerful communication – improve what your audience sees and hears when you communicate
• Demonstrate eye contact that promotes trust and credibility
• Practice delivering a short talk while making effective eye contact

Greg Dardis founded the company in 2002. Since then, Dardis Communications has enhanced the careers of thousands of professionals. We help our customers become stronger leaders and communicators.

Each Dardis program emphasizes practical, effective skills that participants can apply immediately. Our training approach focuses on five core skill sets:

1. Effective communication and presentation skills
2. Professional image and etiquette
3. Consultative selling
4. Business writing
5. Executive coaching and development

Maria Volante serves as Senior Vice President at Dardis Communications.  Maria brings with her a tremendous wealth of knowledge, sales and marketing experience, and a proven track record of managing and developing successful teams.  Maria blends her 20+ years of business and leadership experience with the Dardis Communications service portfolio to best serve our clients’ needs in the area of professional presentation, image, consultative selling and personal/executive coaching.  

The Dardis executive coaches guide thousands of professionals to stronger career skills, increased confidence and improved business results. Companies such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo partner with Dardis to enhance the skills of their teams. You also can choose to improve the abilities of key employees in one of our public programs.

Dardis Communications Website

Thursday, November 21

Private tour of the Des Moines Art Center (4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines)

Tour begins promptly at 4:00 p.m. (will be about 45 minutes)

Social and happy hour to follow hosted by LW Advisors

Albert Baird Cummins Mansion - 2404 Forest Drive, Suite 240 Des Moines

Thursday, October 17

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Metro On The Move! Join us for a networking lunch and panel discussion where you can get your questions answered with the following local real estate experts as we host a discussion on the Des Moines market past, present and future.

The Realtor: Shannon Coryell is with RE/MAX Concepts and has been practicing real estate in the Des Moines Metro for almost 6 years. She loves being active in the community, traveling, eating, and spending time with family and friends.

The Lender: Ryan Jensen (Key Mortgage Group) has been in the financial services industry over 20 years producing mortgage and consumer loans, business development, financial planning, and sales management. An Iowa native and current Johnston resident, Ryan received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa. For over 15 years, he has lived in the Des Moines area where he enjoys spending time with his amazing wife, Erica, and daughter, Ainsley. Ryan also likes working outdoors no matter the time of year, playing golf, and cycling on the beautiful trails around Iowa .

The Assessor: Jim Willett  (Polk County Assessor's Office) is the Director/Residential Deputy Assessor and has been employed by the assessors office for 42 years. He has lived in the Des Moines area all his life, and enjoys all outdoor activities (bicycling, walking, and boating in Okoboji). 

Thursday, September 19

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Des Moines Airport - Current Impact and Future Planning

We hope you can join for first luncheon for the 2019-2020 season!

Kayla Kovarna joined the Des Moines Airport Authority as the Communications, Marketing and Air Service Development Manager in April 2019 to increase visibility and help attain the Airport’s overall goals.  She oversees communications efforts including media relations and digital content creation while also driving air service business development.  Prior to the Airport, she was the Executive Director of the American Heart Association of Central Iowa where she increased revenues by over 50% and developed new health programming like Blood Pressure in Barber Shops.  Kayla holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Iowa in both Journalism and Mass Communication as well as Communication Studies and is a proud graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program.

Des Moines International Airport Website