Shape Change, Leave a Legacy: Leveraging ERGs to Influence Culture
Daniel Joiner, Chief Impact and Engagement Officer and Anesa Buchanan, Director of Community Impact and Engagement
This session will highlight the structure, process, and recruitment and retention efforts UnityPoint Health has implemented to launch six successful and growing employee resource groups.
The 10 C's of Inclusive Leadership
Dr. Holly Stevenson, Director of DEIB, Optimae LifeServices
Inclusive leadership is about recognizing the unique strengths each person brings and intentionally creating environments where everyone feels valued and able to contribute. In this interactive session, participants will explore ten core skills that define effective inclusive leaders and learn practical strategies to strengthen each one.
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what inclusive leadership looks like in practice, concrete actions they can apply immediately, and tools to foster trust, collaboration, and belonging on the teams they lead or serve on.
The Power of ERG Collaboration: Finding Common Ground
Tierney Israel, Communications Specialist, Casey's
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play an important role in building connection and community at work—but their impact grows significantly when they collaborate across identities and shared interests. This session explores how cross-ERG partnerships can strengthen workplace culture, reduce burnout, and create more meaningful, sustainable engagement.
Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants will learn how ERGs can find common ground, embrace intersectionality, and co-create initiatives that reflect the full range of employee experiences. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for sharing resources, building long-term partnerships, and amplifying their collective impact—whether they lead an ERG, participate as a member, or support the work as an ally.
Leading Forward: Finding Strength in Service When Momentum Stalls
Jarael Madyun, Director of Student Success, Iowa State University and Jalaal Madyun, Founder & Executive Coach, Core Connections Leadership Institute
In this interactive session, leaders will explore how a service-oriented mindset can reignite engagement and strengthen workplace culture—especially during challenging or stagnant moments. When progress slows, the most effective reset often begins within. Through guided reflection and discussion, participants will examine current leadership challenges and identify strategies for restoring alignment between values and results.
Grounded in the principles of servant leadership, this session offers a practical framework for deepening impact through empathy, intentional relationships, and everyday leadership practices. Attendees will leave with a clear mindset shift, a reflection tool to navigate barriers to impact, and an actionable next step to re-energize themselves and their teams.
Financial Well-Being for All: The Heart of a People-First Workplace
Ena Banic Barnes, Executive Director, Iowa Credit Union Foundation
Financial well-being is a critical—but often overlooked—part of overall health. It’s not just about income; it’s about confidence in financial decisions, freedom from chronic stress, and the ability to plan for the future. When financial strain goes unaddressed, it affects performance, retention, and long-term well-being at work.
In this session, participants will explore how financial well-being fits into a people-first approach to leadership and organizational culture. Drawing on research and data from across Iowa and beyond, the session examines how meeting people where they are—through thoughtful employer practices related to financial security, housing, and childcare—supports stronger teams and more resilient organizations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of why financial well-being matters and how empathy-driven practices contribute to sustainable business outcomes.
