Spring 2026 Speakers

BrownWinick
Attorney

Joe Leo is a member attorney at BrownWinick and practices mainly in the areas of securities law and corporate transactions.

Joe strives to provide his clients with practical and timely legal advice while never losing sight of the business goals and objectives of his clients. Joe provides securities compliance services to four publicly reporting companies in the Midwest. He also provides legal advice to several private equity funds operating in Iowa regarding securities compliance matters. Joe is also an adjunct professor of Securities Law at Drake University Law School.

In addition to his securities compliance practice, Joe represents businesses in various aspects of their operations, including organization and planning, restructuring, equity and debt offerings and compliance, and corporate governance matters. Joe is heavily involved in the business startup community in Iowa and is a frequent speaker on legal issues that startup and high-growth companies face. He enjoys bringing a practical approach to legal representation for early-stage companies that must be strategic in how they allocate resources.

In addition to his legal practice, Joe participates in Plains Angels, an angel capital group operating in central Iowa, and serves as a mentor in the Global Insurance Accelerator and the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, both located in Des Moines, Iowa.

Prior to attending law school, Joe worked in business development for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. He believes this experience helps keep him focused on the business goals of his clients.

www.brownwinick.com

Owner

Rae Lyon is an ICF-certified executive coach, trainer, and keynote speaker who helps leaders shift from reactive to intentional so they can lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. As the founder of Lyon Coaching Group, Rae partners with organizations to strengthen leadership, communication, and culture through mindset-based development programs that create real, lasting change.

Drawing from certifications in EQ-i 2.0 Emotional Intelligence, the Energy Leadership Index (ELI), and CliftonStrengths, Rae blends science-backed insight with practical tools that equip HR professionals and leaders to communicate better, coach effectively, and build accountability with empathy.

Her clients span manufacturing, construction, and corporate sectors, where she has led multi-session leadership initiatives that reduce turnover, improve collaboration, and elevate engagement.

Rae is known for her contagious energy and her ability to make even the toughest topics like negativity, accountability, and change, feel doable and inspiring. She also serves as a volunteer coach for The Honor Foundation, supporting military professionals transitioning to civilian leadership roles and with the Women’s Employment Network.

lyoncoachinggroup.com

President

Todd McDonald founded ATW Training Solutions in 1999 after spending 15 years in various human resources and training roles in industries such as finance, insurance, banking and manufacturing. He also served as Executive Vice President of American Media, Inc., the largest producer of training videos at the time with products in 72 countries and 27 languages

Todd has authored 2 books: one on communication between managers and their employees, “I Wish You Would Just…” and the other on time management, “How to Find 100 Extra Minutes a Day.”

When not leading the efforts of ATW, you can find Todd volunteering and serving on numerous boards on a local and national level.  And when there is free time, you can find Todd spending time with his wife, kids and growing family of grandchildren.

www.atwtraining.com

Keynote Speaker & Leadership Expert
Lynsey Mulder, Lead With Spark

Lynsey Mulder is a dynamic speaker, accomplished coach, and the visionary behind SparkLife—a journey that has empowered individuals, teams, and organizations to unlock potential, ignite passion, and take inspired action. As a leading authority on business and life strategy, Lynsey combines her wealth of experience with a passion for helping others create intentional, fulfilling lives.

With a career spanning Fortune 100 C-suite leadership, founding her own company, and raising four amazing boys, Lynsey has a unique perspective on balancing ambition and life’s complexities. She splits her time between speaking at conferences, collaborating with organizations, and inspiring students on college campuses across the country. Lynsey also works one-on-one with individuals as an elite coach, holding three certifications and a reputation for helping clients achieve extraordinary results.

Known for transforming game-changing ideas into practical takeaways, Lynsey connects with audiences in a way that is relatable, energizing, and unforgettable. Her strategies are built on years of experience and are designed to empower others, elevate them to new levels, and inspire them to reach goals they once thought impossible.

Her keynotes and workshops are packed with engaging stories, high-energy exercises, and actionable tools that attendees can apply immediately—whether sparking new possibilities at work, transforming team culture, or reigniting personal growth. Lynsey has spoken at conferences, colleges, and companies nationwide, leaving a ripple effect of energized, motivated, and inspired attendees who are ready to create lasting change.

lynseymulder.com

President

Mr. John Mikelson has been an active volunteer with the Iowa Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) since April 2004, currently serving as the State Vice Chair. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class in 2004, he returned to the University of Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History (2007) and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership Studies (2008). During this time, he also served as the Coordinator of the University of Iowa Veterans Center from 2005 to 2013.

Mr. Mikelson’s honors and recognitions include:

• Presidential Gold Volunteer Award for co-founding Student Veterans of America
• Army Chief of Staff Citations for Recruiting Excellence (twice) and Supply Excellence (once)
• Army Recruiting Ring
• UI College of Education Distinguished Veteran Alumni Award (2017)
• ESGR Seven Seals Award (twice)
• Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award
• 2023 SBA Veterans Small Business Champion for Iowa
• SHRM Military Community Ambassador
• MilitaryFriendly.com 2025 Iowa Vetrepreneur of the Year

www.esgr.mil

Vice President of Workforce Solutions
TrueNorth Companies

Sue Nelson understands the pressures HR leaders are experiencing today: managing rising benefits costs, juggling compliance requirements and maintaining employee engagement with limited resources. As Vice President of Workforce Solutions at TrueNorth Companies, she leads a team that provides senior-level HR expertise, serving as a strategic extension of client HR departments to provide specialized support in compliance, technology, employee communication and benefits optimization.

With over a decade at TrueNorth and previous experience as Director of Global Benefits at Rockwell Collins, Sue brings a practical, results-oriented approach to workforce challenges. She collaborates with HR leaders to transform administrative burdens into competitive advantages, leveraging technology, data analytics and targeted communication to streamline operations and enhance the employee experience. A University of Iowa graduate based in Lisbon, Iowa, Sue is dedicated to helping build stronger, more resilient organizations.

Core expertise: HR strategy & operations | Benefits optimization | Compliance management | Technology implementation | Workforce engagement

truenorthcompanies.com

Speaker and Leadership Coach
Growing Forward, LLC

Crystal Neubauer is fiercely passionate about helping individuals, teams, and organizations get “unstuck” so they can fulfill their potential. She brings more than 25 years of training and speaking experience. In addition, she has 20 years of leadership experience, including oversight of training departments, event planning teams, and non-profit volunteers. Her experience in the corporate world entails developing and implementing successful leadership development programs from the ground up.

Crystal is a sought-after speaker for corporate conferences, women’s retreats, training workshops, and leadership events and has been featured on webinars, podcasts, and virtual events.

Her many years of leadership experience in financial services, ministry, and education provide her with a wealth of experiences, insight, and knowledge. In addition to training and speaking, she also provides leadership coaching services for individuals and organizations.

www.crystalneubauerspeaks.com

Vice President, Employee Benefits
Cottingham & Butler

Julie previously held the role of Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Cottingham & Butler for seven years before joining the Employee Benefits division. In her role, Julie was responsible for driving the strategic vision for Human Resources and lead the function through double digit headcount growth and navigated challenges through COVID-19.  Julie has served as a member of the Executive Team, Benefits & Retirement Committee, and lead the Human Resources functions of Training, Organizational Design, Payroll, Benefits, Recruiting and Employee Relations.

Julie graduated from University of Northern Iowa. She spent time living in Boston developing her recruiting and HR generalist skills before moving back to Iowa in 2005. She spent over 10 years in Des Moines and has experience working in HR consulting and held roles in corporate procurement as well as HR Leadership in the financial services industry. She now resides in Dubuque, IA with her husband and three children.

About Cottingham & Butler
Cottingham & Butler is the top five independently held brokers in the U.S. and a recognized leader in offering innovative property & casualty and employee benefit insurance solutions. The company is headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, and employs over 1,300 employees across the U.S.

www.cottinghambutler.com

Partner
Whitfield & Eddy Law Firm

EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAW MATTERS

Kay counsels businesses, governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of workforce issues including civil rights complaints, hiring, discipline, internal investigations, terminations, health and safety, reasonable accommodations, non-solicitation and non-competition covenants, compliance with leave laws, responding to wage and hour audits. She drafts executive compensation, independent contractor, and separation/release agreements. Many clients rely on her guidance for compliance issues, and she regularly provides policies and procedures. Kay helps clients analyze a variety of federal and state laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act. She also leads management-side union matters, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and handling grievances. Kay is a SHRM Recertification Provider.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act. She also leads management-side union matters, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and handling grievances. Kay is a SHRM Recertification Provider.

CORPORATE, DUE DILIGENCE, AND INFORMATION SECURITY

Kay regularly advises corporate clients on a variety of risk management topics and corporate governance matters, including buy-sell agreements, due diligence, data privacy, risk mitigation, cybersecurity, and nonprofit management issues. She counsels clients about workplace health and safety issues, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance and investigations. In 2021, she attained the International Association of Privacy Professionals designation as a Certified Information Privacy Professional in United States law (CIPP/US). Kay fields questions from clients on data breach, information security, and risk matters often involving the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other state, federal, or international statutes. While Kay predominately works to help clients prevent and avoid litigation, she routinely defends agency complaints and advocates for clients in contested matters. She provides on-site and virtual training to clients and frequently presents to community and industry groups.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Kay has served on nonprofit boards across the state of Iowa and is actively involved in the Iowa State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She is a former member of the ABA House of Delegates. She is a member of Leadership Iowa class of 2022–2023, Chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Labor and Employment Practice Group, and past co-Chair of the Whitfield & Eddy Law Information Technology Committee.

www.whitfieldlaw.com/attorneys-Kay-Oskvig

Vision Director

Dr. Chad Overman graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 1995. After spending 12 years practicing in Nebraska and Wisconsin, he joined Walmart’s Corporate team. Over the next nine years, Dr. Overman worked in many roles: OD liaison to over 4,000 providers, Senior OD Recruiting Manager responsible for the Eastern U.S., liaison to more than 40 optical vendors and internal advisor to more than 20 Walmart support teams.

His industry experience and relationships led Dr. Overman to start his own consulting business in 2015. Dr. Overman’s primary focus has been quality, affordable and accessible care and he has been a champion of driving yearly eye exams for all.

In 2019, Dr. Overman joined DeltaVision as our Director of Vision Benefits. His primary role is to bring clinical expertise to those we serve, providing valuable insights on the importance of vision health and its connection to overall

www.deltadentalia.com

Of Counsel
Fredrikson & Byron, PA

As an employment attorney, Katie brings experience as both an advisor and litigator as well as in-house counsel, which allows her to work with clients to prevent legal problems through substantive trainings and identifying risks while also providing thoughtful responses to concerns that may arise. Through each of these roles, Katie has also developed significant experience advising and conducting internal investigations into workplace and education matters as well as drafting and reviewing employee handbooks and policies.  Katie is also an adjunct Employment Law instructor at Drake University Law School.

www.fredlaw.com

Solutions Advisor

Jenn Peterson is a Solutions Advisor with the BecomeMore Group focusing on helping companies with their most valued resource – their people. She has over twenty-five years of experience in design, project management, leadership and sales roles that focused on aligning solutions to the needs of her clients.  She leverages her experience and passion for working with organizations and individuals to level-up and be the best they can be through hiring top talent, aligning strategy, and building dream teams.  She is a skilled facilitator and connects with people through shared experiences and stories – helping them along their own journey to becoming more.

www.becomemoregp.com

CPO
DMOS

Renee Pile is a seasoned HR and management professional with over 20 years of experience across regional and national levels. Her expertise spans Human Resources, Compliance, Law, and Ethics, with a proven track record in transforming organizations within healthcare, insurance, entertainment, finance, and consulting sectors. Renee holds a Master’s in Public Administration focused on Ethics and Legal Studies from the University of Illinois, and a Jurisprudence Degree in Risk Management and Compliance from Drake Law School. She is passionate about fostering innovative, compliant, and equitable communities through strategic leadership, research, and continuous learning. An accomplished speaker, coach, and policy developer, Renee is dedicated to advancing best practices in public and private sectors while championing servant leadership and community building.

www.dmos.com

Shareholder
Fredrikson & Byron, PA

Emily is an experienced advisor and litigator for employers.

Emily defends employers against allegations of sex discrimination, age discrimination, race discrimination, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and tortious interference.

To help employers maintain a productive workplace and avoid litigation, Emily partners with clients to provide supervisor and manager training, investigate internal discrimination complaints, provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees, and navigate issues surrounding family and medical leave.

Emily works with employers of all sizes and has experience with for-profit corporations, nonprofit organizations, and cooperatives. She also provides specialized advice and litigates on behalf of colleges and universities in disputes concerning faculty discipline, tenure and promotion, student conduct, and accommodation of students with disabilities.

Prior to practicing law, Emily worked in higher education administration, supervising employees and gaining director-level experience in student judicial affairs and residence life. She draws on this experience when working with higher education clients.

www.fredlaw.com

Senior HR Specialist | Veteran Liaison | Dual Career Program Lead
University of Iowa

Adam D. Potter is a Senior HR Specialist at the University of Iowa, where he brings over 25 years of human resources experience to his work in talent acquisition, career coaching, and inclusive hiring practices. He plays a key role in the university’s Talent Acquisition department and leads both the Veteran Liaison and Dual Career Program initiatives, supporting veteran job seekers and assisting faculty partners in their career transitions.

A U.S. Army veteran with more than 20 years of service, Adam graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas – Grantham. He holds PHR and SHRM-CP certifications and is deeply committed to mentorship, volunteering with American Corporate Partners and the SHRM Military Community Ambassadors program.

www.shrm.org/foundation/widening-pathways-to-work/military-community

Attorney
BrownWinick Law Firm

Christopher A. Proskey is a member attorney at BrownWinick and Co-Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group. Chris is a registered patent attorney with a focus on patents, trademarks, and intellectual property rights. He serves a variety of corporate clients across a broad array of businesses and technology areas. He helps these clients protect, enforce and defend their patent, trademark, copyright and other intellectual property rights. Over his career, Chris has drafted and prosecuted hundreds of patents and trademarks. He has also been involved in many complex intellectual property litigations.

Prior to joining BrownWinick, Chris also served as General Counsel for QMotion Incorporated, a growing international technology company. There he managed and developed a portfolio of several hundred U.S. and foreign patents and trademarks, as well as managed and negotiated a network of domestic and international licensing agreements, as well as all other legal matters for the company. As General Counsel, Chris helped lead the successful acquisition of QMotion by a publicly traded company.

Chris received a B.S. in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Iowa State University. He worked as an engineer in the semiconductor and nanotechnology industry at Seagate Technology, where he designed manufacturing systems for computer hard drives. While at Seagate, Chris attended the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and received an M.B.A., with studies focused on strategy, finance, entrepreneurship and management. Chris was named a Dwight D. Opperman Scholar and received a full tuition scholarship to attend Drake University Law School. In 2007, he received his J.D., with honors, with studies focused on intellectual property and business law.

is a Peak Performance Leadership Coach who helps leaders and organizations avoid burnout, sustain energy, and lead with clarity. With a unique blend of neuroscience, communication strategies, and emotional intelligence expertise, Kelli equips professionals with practical tools to succeed with ease so they can perform at their highest level without sacrificing wellbeing.

Kelli holds certifications as an Emotional Quotient Consultant, 8 Factors of Engagement Consultant, Neuro-Linguistics Programming Trainer and Practitioner, and Advanced Transformational Executive Coach. She is the CEO of Winning In Business, host of the Winning In Business podcast, and an international best-selling author. Her new book series, Succeed With Ease, provides frameworks for mastering mindset, focus, energy, and connections empowering leaders and teams to create sustainable success.

Kelli’s insights have been featured on ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and multiple business media outlets. A former educator turned entrepreneur, she brings both professional expertise and real-world experience to audiences who want to reduce stress, improve leadership, and achieve long-term results.

kellirisse.com

CEO
Percipio Workforce Solutions

Jim Roy is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience specializing in workforce recruitment and retention strategies. With a passion for cultivating thriving workplaces, Jim has dedicated his career to helping organizations build and maintain high-performing teams.

Throughout his career, Jim has held various leadership roles in staffing and talent acquisition across diverse industries, honing his expertise in identifying top talent and implementing innovative retention initiatives. His keen understanding of the intricacies of human capital management has enabled him to navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic labor market successfully.

Recognized for his insightful perspectives and practical solutions, Jim is a sought-after public speaker on topics related to employee retention. Whether addressing large audiences or conducting intimate workshops, he brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to his engaging presentations. Jim’s speaking engagements are characterized by their actionable insights and inspiring narratives, leaving audiences empowered to enhance retention within their own organizations.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Jim serves as Chief Executive Officer of Percipio Workforce Solutions, a workforce recruiting and staffing organization. He is also actively involved in consulting projects, collaborating with organizations to develop customized retention strategies tailored to their unique needs. He is committed to fostering environments where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to contribute their best work.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he laid the foundation for his career in workforce development. He continues to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in the field, ensuring that his expertise remains at the forefront of industry innovation. He learns a great deal from his three Gen Z daughters who keep him abreast of changing views on recruiting and retention!

Whether advising Fortune 500 companies or startups, Jim Roy is dedicated to helping organizations build cultures of retention excellence that drive sustainable success.

www.wesleylife.org

Director of People & Culture
WesleyLife At Home

Bobbie Jo Sheridan serves as the Director of People and Culture for WesleyLife At Home and teaches the SHRM Prep Course through Drake University. She has experience working in various non-profit and public organizations focusing on all aspects of Human Resources from talent development and team member engagement to compliance and employee related issues. Bobbie Jo enjoys seeking out emerging leaders and helping them find their path to their next role. She is a SHRM-CP and Licensed Bachelors Social Worker, holds a master’s in health promotion & education and bachelor’s in social work. Bobbie Jo spends her free time volunteering with Dress For Success in Des Moines.

www.wesleylife.org

Founder & CEO
The Tyne Group

Andrea Singsaas is an award-winning executive coach and international keynote speaker known for her direct, practical, and results-focused approach to leadership. She isn’t interested in theories that sound good on paper. She helps leaders cut through noise, get clear on what matters, and make decisions that create real impact.

Andrea brings a strategic perspective shaped by years in international consulting, project management, and organizational leadership. She has coached and advised leaders across Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and fast-growth private firms. Her clients include executives from Accenture, Amazon, the Department of Defense, Google, Home Depot, Target, MIT, and Splunk.

She holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a BA in Communications from Simpson College. She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation and a Project Management Professional (PMP), and she has completed advanced leadership programs through Harvard, Notre Dame, the McChrystal Group, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Veteran Leadership Program.

Known for her sharp insight and candid delivery, Andrea is trusted for her ability to help leaders stay grounded, think strategically, and lead with clarity and confidence. She equips executives to navigate complexity, drive meaningful change, and build careers and organizations that last.

www.thetynegroup.com

Michelle Skogerson
EOS Worldwide

Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Michelle Skogerson partners with entrepreneurial organizations across the region to bring clarity, focus and momentum to their leadership teams. As a Professional EOS® Implementer she helps businesses simplify, solve root problems, and gain lasting Traction® through the proven Six Key Components™ of the EOS® Model.

Whether you’re tackling leadership team misalignment, struggling to execute your strategic plan, or looking to reignite sustainable growth — Michelle brings empathy, structure and results to the journey.

implementer.eosworldwide.com/michelle-skogerson/

Member
BrownWinick Law Firm

Danielle D. Smid is a member attorney at BrownWinick and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Danielle is also Chair of both the firm’s Culture Committee and the Employment & Labor practice group. Danielle’s employment practice includes counseling employers in human resources policies and procedures; unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation; FMLA; Iowa state and federal wage and hour issues; reduction in forces; union avoidance; restrictive covenants (non-competes, non-solicitation agreements and confidentiality agreements); discipline and termination issues; and drug testing policies and procedures. She conducts management training concerning drug testing and personnel issues and has served as an investigator for clients regarding misconduct, discrimination and harassment allegations. Danielle spent seven years as in-house employment counsel and from that understands a company’s need to balance legal risk with running an efficient and successful business.

Danielle has appeared in front of numerous administrative agencies such as the Iowa Workforce Development, Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations board, OSHA and the Iowa Office of Civil Rights, as well as state and federal courts on behalf of clients. In addition, Danielle has represented clients in employment-related mediations and arbitrations. Danielle is a frequent speaker on employment-related issues for clients, human resources and other professionals and has written several articles in regard to the same.

Danielle was admitted to the Iowa bar, United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, and the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998, and to the state bar in Wisconsin in 2012. She is a member of the Iowa State, American, (Member, Business Law Section and Labor and Employment Section) and Polk County Bar Associations. Dani is also a member of Metro Women Connect and serves on the executive committee at BrownWinick.

www.brownwinick.com/attorneys/danielle-d-smid

Operations Manager

Frank Sposeto III is a results-driven leader with more than two decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, compliance, and community engagement. Currently serving as Operations Manager at Iowa Workforce Development, Frank brings a unique blend of operational excellence and people-focused leadership to his conversations.

He is the founder of the River Valley Veterans Network, a grassroots initiative connecting businesses, veterans, Guard and Reserve members, families, and support organizations across Story and Boone counties. His commitment to service and collaboration reflects his own military background, having honorably served in both the U.S. Army and the Iowa Army National Guard.  Combining his experience with being a SHRM Foundation Military Ambassador, he can bring valuable information to HR and business leaders, fostering conversations and engagement.

Frank’s career spans diverse industries, from workforce development and staffing solutions to financial services and retail operations. As a multi-unit manager for more than 20 years that spanned multiple states, he built high-performing teams and instilled a culture of integrity and customer focus.  This unique atmosphere of team building, HR responsibilities, and leadership development enhances his ability to share his experience.

Beyond his professional achievements, Frank has been recognized for his civic contributions, including appointments to the Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Library Commission. His career reflects a consistent dedication to building bridges—between businesses and communities, between veterans and opportunities, and between teams and their potential.

www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sposeto-iii/

Attorney
Nyemaster

Crafting an argument for the court—especially one that ultimately wins the day for his client—is one of the most satisfying elements of Ryan Stefani’s practice. “What is the most fulfilling and meaningful to me is being able to take a client’s problems and craft a very thoughtful and well-reasoned argument to the court,” Ryan says, “I particularly enjoy writing briefs that are easy to understand in a way that is persuasive, logical, and easy to follow.”

Yet, when cases cannot be resolved through motion practice or settlement, Ryan has a proven track record of trying cases to verdict.

That’s valuable in Ryan’s litigation practice. As a member of the labor and employment group, Ryan defends employers who face discrimination claims from employees and former employees. Additionally, employers and employees alike can also rely on Ryan to navigate restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements.

Ryan also helps clients protect their IP through intellectual property litigation. In this practice, Ryan assists clients with patent and trademark disputes. He has assisted with IP litigation in federal courts around the country. This includes briefing and arguing before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

In addition to employment and intellectual property law, Ryan also maintains a general litigation practice that includes commercial litigation and personal injury defense.

www.nyemaster.com

Senior Vice President, Market Leader – Employee Benefits/Shareholder
Holmes Murphy & Associates

Dr. Boychenko Stone serves as the Senior Vice President and Market Leader of Employee Benefits at Holmes Murphy & Associates, where she joined in 2006. A Ukraine native, fluent in three languages, she excels in implementing diverse employer-sponsored benefit programs. An active speaker on health care topics, Dr. Stone is also an adjunct professor at Drake University, teaching employee benefits to graduate students. Dr. Stone has a strong passion for lifelong learning and constantly explores cutting-edge solutions for her clients. Dr. Stone is a recognized leader, having received accolades such as the 2020 Emerging Woman of Influence, Business Record’s Forty under 40, Community Vision Award and others.

https://www.holmesmurphy.com/

Chief Growth Officer

Chelsea Stoll is the Chief Growth Officer at Compassionate Leaders Circle — and, by her own description, a social experimenter, people enthusiast, and recovering “fixer of everything HR.”

Chelsea’s story took a turn years ago when she found herself leading through a major unionization campaign. It was a defining moment — one that made her question everything she thought she knew about leadership, influence, and humanity at work.

Instead of walking away from it, she went on a quest — to find a better way to lead. To understand what happens when compassion, curiosity, and accountability actually work together.

That quest turned into years of reflection, research, and practice — and ultimately into her life’s work: helping leaders mix the heart of compassion with the hard edges of organizational reality.

Today, she’s here to invite you into her favorite experiment — the HR Chemistry Lab — where we get to test what happens when empathy meets everyday HR.

www.compassionateleaderscircle.com/chelsea

Owner
Molly Varangkounh

Molly Varangkouhn spent twenty years as a third generation leader in her family’s manufacturing business, where she focused on building value, strengthening operations, and developing people.
When it became clear that the future of the business and the succession plan no longer aligned with her personal and professional goals, she made the courageous decision to step away.

Today, Molly works with business owners, corporate leaders, and leaders who are navigating growth, transition, and succession. She brings a blend of technical expertise and a people-first approach, helping leaders find clarity, align their teams, and make confident decisions. Her work reflects a simple belief that alignment and accountability come before the numbers.

www.mollyvarangkounh.com

LMHC, Speaker, Business Consultant, Vistage Chair

Ramona Wink is a licensed mental health counselor, motivational public speaker, and business consultant with 515 Therapy and Consulting in West Des Moines, Iowa. 515 Therapy and Consulting was awarded Metro’s Best Award for Counseling Centers in 2024 and 2025!  www.515therapy.com

She graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Drake University and with her BA in Mass Communications from the University of Iowa.

Ramona is passionate about her motivational public speaking and business consulting because this work allows her to make a positive impact on even more people. Check out Ramona’s website at: https://www.515therapy.com/ramonawinkspeaking

Ramona is also a Vistage Chair, leading a group of Iowa based CEOs from non-competing industries. Vistage is the world’s leading peer advisory group. www.vistage.com

When you think about leadership and people, Ramona’s brand and expertise is unmatched!

www.515therapy.com/ramonawinkspeaking

Founder

Sheri Zevenbergen is a coach, consultant, and speaker who helps high-achieving corporate professionals break free from autopilot and create a personal and professional life they truly enjoy…without starting over.

After 20+ years leading diverse, global teams in the corporate world, Sheri realized checking all the boxes of success doesn’t always lead to fulfillment. She founded The DASH Mindset to help individuals and teams shift from busyness and burnout to authentic alignment through her proven 4-step DASH Mindset Framework.

Sheri’s engaging talks, deep dive sessions, and programs equip audiences with practical, actionable tools to strengthen emotional intelligence, navigate self-doubt, and make small, intentional shifts that create big impact…at work, at home, and in leadership.

Known for her relatable stories, humor, and direct yet encouraging style, Sheri inspires people to reconnect with what truly matters and make their dash…the line between birth and death…truly count.

www.thedashmindset.com/