Zimpleman Business for Good Summit

Welcome Remarks (Parents Hall)
Alanah Mitchell, Dean of Zimpleman College of Business

Opening Session
Mariah Mateo-Sarpong, Co-Founder and Head of Product, SendVia

Nanabayin Coleman,  Instructor, Zimpleman College of Business

The Archie Boe Lecture Series is proudly presented by the Kelley Center for Insurance Innovation at Drake University

Session 1 

Option A:  Tankia Roland, INIKATE Fashions and Consulting, La Toshia Burrell, Redefine and Reveal Massage Therapy, and Garrison Goodlett, GGs Chicken and Waffles

Small Business as a Force for Good

Join three Drake Business Clinic entrepreneurs for a fast-paced breakout session on building companies that create both profit and positive impact. These early- to mid-stage founders will share how they embed community, sustainability, and purpose into their business models while still growing viable companies.

Through real stories and audience Q&A, you’ll see how Business for Good comes to life in the small businesses right here in central Iowa.

Option B:  Scott and Molly Cutler, Cutler Development

Using Mass Timber to Develop Carbon Neutral Affordable Housing

The global need for affordable housing is increasing, but buildings account for almost 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions; Cutler Development will share their experiences utilizing a new to market construction methodology called mass timber to simultaneously respond to both societal imperatives with neighborhood focused construction development projects in the Des Moines metro.

Session 2 

Option A: Julie Willse, COO, Greater Iowa Credit Union; Jamie Miller, VP, Iowa Credit Union League; Jelena Babic Barnes, Executive Director, Iowa Credit Union Foundation

Credit Unions: Financial First Responders – Building Stronger Communities.

When most people hear “first responder,” they think of firefighters, EMTs, or police — the people who show up when something goes wrong. But in our communities, financial emergencies are just as real. A surprise medical bill, a natural disaster, a lost job, or simply not having access to safe, affordable financial services can quickly turn into a crisis. In this session, we’ll explore how credit unions serve as financial first responders — stepping up in moments of need while also working every day to prevent financial crises through education, inclusion, sustainability, and local partnerships. Built on the cooperative philosophy of people helping people, credit unions take a long‑term view of community strength. This session highlights how credit unions serve as a force for good and play a vital role in building more resilient, financially confident communities.

Option B: J.W. Paquette Young Alumni Speakers Series

Noah Brinkmeyer, BN ’21, GR ’22, Bayer, Operations Manager

Kiley Kahler, BN ’23, ChildServe, Special Events Manager

Shreeya Sapkota, BN ’20, Zoetis, Portfolio Marketing Manager – Global Diagnostics

Benjamin Ticali, FCAS, BN ’23, Cowbell, Pricing Actuary

Gain invaluable insights from recent graduates of the Zimpleman College of Business as they journey from student life to the professional world. Explore firsthand experiences and receive practical advice on navigating this pivotal transition. Discover how to anticipate challenges, seize career opportunities, and align your path with your personal values. 

Keynote speaker luncheon
Introducer: Dean Alanah Mitchell, Zimpleman College of Business

Keynote Speaker: Kelly Dittmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, Envira Global Ltd.

Kelly Dittmann is a global business leader, trusted C-suite advisor, and social innovation executive with 25+ years of experience guiding Fortune 500® and nonprofit organizations through growth strategy, enterprise transformation, and value creation. Her expertise spans M&A, sustainability, social innovation, and large-scale business transformation, with cross-sector leadership across financial services, healthcare, education, agriculture, private equity, technology, manufacturing, life sciences, utilities, and energy.

She is the Founder, President, and CEO of Envira Global Ltd., a women-owned Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) delivering advisory, technology, and capital solutions that build intelligent cities, develop resilient communities, and power sustainable growth—for people and planet. As a trusted advisor to senior executives, Kelly partners with investors, advisors, and institutional capital to structure and execute complex commercial initiatives exceeding $5B in investment, 10+ GW of energy, and hundreds of thousands of development acres across North America.

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