40 Iowans Begin their Leadership Iowa Journey

October 14, 2022 | Elections in Iowa Jessi McQuerrey, Director of Programs, ABI Foundation, jmcquerrey@iowaabi.org

Forty leaders from across the state have been selected to participate in the 2022-23 program of Leadership Iowa, Iowa’s premier issues-awareness program offered by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation.

More than 1,300 Iowans have taken part in the program since it began in 1982. Participants represent all regions of the state and a variety of industries, companies and backgrounds. Leadership Iowa exists to educate, inspire, and grow a network of informed leaders, and to encourage their ongoing engagement on local and statewide levels.

“We’re thrilled to host another great cohort of Iowa leaders in the 41st Leadership Iowa program,” said ABI President, Mike Ralston. “This experience not only provides first-hand exposure to opportunities and challenges across the state, it also fosters a strong network of problem-solvers equipped to effect positive change in Iowa communities therefore creating a better future for Iowa.”

The 2022-23 class will travel to communities throughout Iowa for a series of two-day monthly sessions beginning in October and concluding in June. Each session allows participants to delve into an important topic as it relates to our state by way of discussions with subject-matter experts, interactive experiences, industry tours and more.

Session topics and hosts change annually. The following communities and topics will be represented this year:

  • Jefferson – Opening Retreat (October)
  • Red Oak and Stanton – Agriculture and Renewable Resources (November)
  • Ames – Innovation and Technology (December)
  • Des Moines – Government (January)
  • Sioux City – Economic Development and Workforce (March)
  • Waverly – Education (April)
  • Burlington – Manufacturing and Transportation (May)

The class will graduate at ABI’s annual conference next June in Cedar Rapids.

The 2022-23 Leadership Iowa program is made possible by presenting sponsor EMC Insurance. Additional annual sponsors include: CIPCO, Community State Bank, Emerson, Grinnell Mutual, Iowa Soybean Association, BrownWinick Law Firm, Farm Bureau Federation, MidAmerican Energy, Pella Corporation, Phelps, Principal Financial Group, and Winger Companies.

Learn more, and nominate future participants at www.LeadershipIowa.com.

View the 2022-23 Class list here.