Teree Caldwell-Johnson has spent her entire career in public service. Born in Salina, Kansas, Teree has a B.A. in English from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and a M.P.A. from the University of Kansas.

In 1988 Teree was appointed Executive Director of the Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines, Iowa. She served in that position until 1996 when she was appointed to the position of Polk County Manager, a position she held from 1996-2003. In April of 2004 Teree was appointed to the position of CEO for Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services.

Teree was elected to the Des Moines School Board in 2006 and re-elected to second and third four year terms in 2009 and 2013. She currently is Chair of the Des Moines School Board and serves on the board of directors of Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, Polk County Housing Trust Fund, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and The Director’s Council.

Married to Vernon C. Johnson, a retired non-profit executive, they have two adult children, Baley and Baxtyr.

Bowling Social at Plaza Lanes 

Kate Randich is the Marketing Manager for Uber in both Iowa and Michigan. Kate works on a variety of marketing projects for Uber such as partnerships, community relationships, product launches and brand building. She has been with Uber since 2015. Previously Kate worked in advertising with various Fortune 500 brands such as Intel, Boeing and MillerCoors. 

Tricia Rivas is a native Des Moines' southsider. She attended La James International College. Tricia is affiliated with Aveda and has completed many hours of Aveda training. She has been a freelance makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics, Aveda, as well as a makeup educator for Toni & GuyCosmetic Art Team. Tricia has also fulfilled her life-long dream of doing makeup at Mercedes New York Fashion Week. At Trixies she specializes in customized hair color, perms and relaxers. She also enjoys haircutting, manicures and pedicures. When Tricia isn't at Trixies she enjoys antiquing, shopping at local boutiques, spending time with family and friends and giving back to the community.

Tricia has always had a passion for giving back to the community. Tricia used her skills as a licensed beauty professional to donate salon services to Hospice of Central Iowa, the women’s shelter in Des Moines, and also to Des Moines veterans. To make a greater impact, Tricia encouraged her staff at Trixie’s Salon to donate their talents to organizations in the Des Moines community. Together, Tricia and her team started volunteering to help brighten someone’s day with a fresh haircut or a little lip gloss, and it turned into something much more.

Tricia started weaving the web for Dream Catchers. After assembling a Board of Directors and months of hard work, the idea of Dream Catchers came to life and became an official non-profit organization. It is the only non-profit of its kind in Central Iowa that provides salon services for men, women, and children that are chronically and terminally ill, as well as their caregivers.

Notable achievements: Trixies has been named the 2015 and 2016 Top 200 Salons by Salon Today. Our blog and mission statement were selected by Salon Today as two of this year's best digital marketing pieces. We have also received the Jim Goodman Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from the Des Moines East & South Chamber. Dream Catchers was awarded 501c3 of the year by the East and South Des Moines Chamber.

Tiffany Tokarz, CPBA, CPMA, & MS in Leadership & Organizational Development Psychology, is the CEO of Modern Muse Consulting and is one of their Intentional Growth Strategist. She has been working with sales professionals and business owners to create intentional results for a decade and due to her accomplishments both academically and in business, she was recently accepted into Faculty Row. Faculty Row is an invite-only organization that includes Fullbright Scholars, TED Talk Speakers and countless accomplished academics.

In addition to her credentials, she is a professional who believes we have only begun to understand the scope of human potential; and that leaders who create company cultures to better leverage their human capital will position their companies to thrive in the new economy.

She prides herself on being result-driven and yet having some fun a long the way. She believes that balance in both work & play is an integral part of intentional growth and she takes her own advice. When she is not working, you will find her jogging at Gray’s Lake; teaching yoga; spending quality time with loved ones; enjoying a glass of wine or attempting to cook something new in the kitchen.

The Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation is charged with developing and implementing the $40+ million Master Plan for Des Moines Water Works Park. As Executive Director of that Foundation, Carrell utilizes the skills he developed in his 30+ year of leading transformational change in both organizations and community initiatives.

He has extensive experience in business, professional association and non-profit association leadership, having worked previously as the Executive Director and Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, the Executive Director of The Number 1 Question: Is it good for the Kids?, Vice President for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Director of Marketing and Membership for the International Association for Financial Planning (now FPA), and also within the banking, professional sports and engineering industries in marketing, sales and research.

His leadership has been recognized by numerous organizations including the Aurora Award from the Des Moines Register, the Non-Profit Leader of the Year from the Des Moines Business Record, the Humanitarian Award from Simpson College and Friend to Youth Award from Youth Homes of Mid America. Carrell is a former chair of the Des Moines Leadership Institute and has served on numerous community boards and initiatives. He resides in Beaverdale with wife Amy and lives vicariously through his four sons (Quinn – Ole Miss, Noah – Drake, Harrison – Auburn and Oliver – Roosevelt High School), a dog, a cat and a bunch of fish.

Our October speaker is Richard Early. He is the Executive Director of the Des Moines Symphony. The Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 79th season in 2016-2017, is Central Iowa’s largest and most active year-round professional performing arts producing organization. The Orchestra regularly performs Pops concert specials including its annual New Year’s Eve Pops at the Civic Center and also produces and performs the Des Moines Symphony’s much anticipated annual, free Yankee Doodle Pops concert in July on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol.

Register on facebook   or email  beth@gobigpromoapparel.com

Join us for a tour of the Market Building.  This building currently being renovated.  Mike Kinter will give us a tour and share his vision.

After the tour we will walk to the Iowa Tap Room.  There will will try a beer or two.

There is no cost for this event, members will be given a beer ticket.  Please rsvp so we have an idea of how many will be attending.