Executives in Residence

The Executives in Residence program allows undergraduate and graduate students to connect with a diverse group of executive mentors and leaders in both professional and casual settings on campus.

The Executives in Residence program further provides opportunities for students to build relationships with business leaders through one-on-one meetings and leverage business leaders’ experiences to support classroom learning. Examples of engagement include counseling sessions to advise students on their prospective career choices, guest lecture opportunities, and small group meetings with student organizations.

2023-24 Executives in Residence

Tory Flynn: Chief Sustainability Officer - Hillenbrand

Expertise: Primary – ESG/Sustainability, Corporate Communications, and Government Affairs.

Tory first joined Hillenbrand in 2015, where she led the implementation of the company’s global corporate responsibility strategy, culminating in the signing of the United Nations Global Compact in 2019. In her role, she leads corporate sustainability reporting, setting strategy, and working closely with stakeholders. In 2022, she was recognized globally as one of the top 50 Women in Sustainability-by-Sustainability X Magazine. She received her BA from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in Political Science, and her MA from Ball State University in Management.

Mark Helvick:

Expertise: Primary- Healthcare, Insurance, and Strategic Planning.

Mark has 35+ years of business experience with both public and private companies, as a controller, chief financial officer, vice president, senior vice president, and president. Mark is a graduate of Drake University with a degree in accounting and actuarial science

Becky Massman:

Expertise: Primary – Accounting, Manufacturing, and Entrepreneurship

Jenny McCoy: Executive Director - Dotdash Meredith

Expertise: Primary – ESG, Environmental, and Community Relations.

Jenny is the Executive Director, Communications and Community Relations for Dotdash Meredith. In this capacity, she manages corporate contributions, volunteerism, and sponsorships. She also liaises with IAC, the parent company of Dotdash Meredith, on its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities. Before her current position, Jenny served as Executive Director of ESG for Meredith Corporation, building its inaugural ESG program. She received her BA in Journalism/Mass Communications with minors in French and Political Science from Iowa State University, and an MBA from Drake University. She is Accredited in Public Relations (APR).

Dotdash Meredith is America’s most prominent digital and print publisher, with brands including PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Allrecipes, Investopedia, Verywell, and more

Karen Ovseyevitz: President, Latin America – Porter Novelli

Expertise – Primary: Public Relations, Marketing, and Communications.

Karen has more than 25 years of experience in corporate communications and public relations. She is responsible for the agency's Latin America network, overseeing the operation of 18 Porter Novelli agencies in the region and establishing working standards, business development and training for all the regions. Karen has led the work for regional clients in the tech, healthcare, food, logistics and consumer sectors working with teams across Latin America. Karen graduated from the Technological Institute of Superior Studies of Monterrey-Mexico City campus with a degree in business administration – computer systems. Additionally, she completed an advanced management program at IPADE Institute in Mexico City.

Company: Porter Novelli is widely considered the founder of social marketing and continues to build on their values-driven philosophy and work with ambitious clients to decode change, navigate culture and deepen authenticity to shape reputation and accelerate growth.

Daniel Peterson: Retired, ZS Associates

Expertise: Primary – Sales & Marketing, Data Analytics, and Healthcare

Dan retired from ZS Associates, a global professional services firm that he joined as the fourth employee and, over the next 36 years, helped to grow to currently over 14,000 employees in 35 offices in 15 counties. Dan received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Drake University in actuarial science and accounting and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He completed post-graduate programs at Harvard and Wharton.

Julie Willse: Chief Operations Officer - Greater Iowa Credit Union

Expertise: Primary – Finance, Organizational Strategy, and Leadership/Management.

Julie has more than 15 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry, most of her time spent in the non-profit financial cooperative space. She oversees the credit union’s nine retail branch operations, marketing, and operational training teams. Julie received her BS degree in business from Montana State University. She has completed the leadership development program at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the Organizational Effectiveness program at Cornell University.

Company: Greater Iowa Credit Union – GICU is a federally insured, state-chartered community credit union with nine branch locations. Beginning with just nine people in 1932, today, GICU serves 36000+ members throughout a 33-county area in Central and Western Iowa with a staff base of over 120 employees.

Becki Drahota