Young Women in Leadership Conference Speakers
Jess McDowell
Keynote
Jess McDowell is the owner of Joywheel Cycling Studio, a new boutique fitness studio in Cedar Falls. She never specifically dreamt of opening a studio, but saw a need in the area and thought she had the right background to bring a dedicated cycling studio to town. Her marketing and design experience gave her the confidence to open her own independent studio, avoiding the franchise route. In addition to running the daily operations, Jess also teaches three classes a week. Before coming home to the Cedar Valley to open Joywheel, Jess worked in the advertising industry in Los Angeles and Chicago as an Art Director. She specialized in websites and digital marketing, and eventually added front-end web development to round out her digital skillset. Today she still finds time to freelance for both near and far clients. Jess was a forward for the UNI Women’s Basketball team from 2009-2013. She graduated in 2014 with a double major in Marketing and Graphic Communications.
Keynote
Jess McDowell is the owner of Joywheel Cycling Studio, a new boutique fitness studio in Cedar Falls. She never specifically dreamt of opening a studio, but saw a need in the area and thought she had the right background to bring a dedicated cycling studio to town. Her marketing and design experience gave her the confidence to open her own independent studio, avoiding the franchise route. In addition to running the daily operations, Jess also teaches three classes a week. Before coming home to the Cedar Valley to open Joywheel, Jess worked in the advertising industry in Los Angeles and Chicago as an Art Director. She specialized in websites and digital marketing, and eventually added front-end web development to round out her digital skillset. Today she still finds time to freelance for both near and far clients. Jess was a forward for the UNI Women’s Basketball team from 2009-2013. She graduated in 2014 with a double major in Marketing and Graphic Communications.
Elizabeth Minard
Confidence and Taking Risks
Elizabeth Minard is an Associate Director of Development for the University of Northern Iowa Foundation. In her role, she works with alumni, donors and friends of the University of Northern Iowa and helps with the fundraising efforts for scholarships, and other initiatives. Prior to her role in the UNI Foundation, Elizabeth worked in the UNI College of Business Administration as a Student Diversity Programs Coordinator. In this role, she assisted with the recruitment, retention and academic advising of business students. Elizabeth also worked in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UNI for over seven years. In her role there, she helped with the management and awarding of scholarships, loans and customer service. Before starting her career in higher education at UNI in March 2010, Elizabeth worked in the private sector as a bilingual bill collector. Elizabeth earned her BA in Public Administration at UNI in May 2009 and her Masters in Post Secondary Education: Student Affairs in May 2013.
Confidence and Taking Risks
Elizabeth Minard is an Associate Director of Development for the University of Northern Iowa Foundation. In her role, she works with alumni, donors and friends of the University of Northern Iowa and helps with the fundraising efforts for scholarships, and other initiatives. Prior to her role in the UNI Foundation, Elizabeth worked in the UNI College of Business Administration as a Student Diversity Programs Coordinator. In this role, she assisted with the recruitment, retention and academic advising of business students. Elizabeth also worked in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UNI for over seven years. In her role there, she helped with the management and awarding of scholarships, loans and customer service. Before starting her career in higher education at UNI in March 2010, Elizabeth worked in the private sector as a bilingual bill collector. Elizabeth earned her BA in Public Administration at UNI in May 2009 and her Masters in Post Secondary Education: Student Affairs in May 2013.
Jessie Cruise
Effective Communication and Strategic Vision
Jessie Cruise is an HR Analyst at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines. In her role at Principal, Jessie works with the global investment HR teams to consult on all things talent and data. Her role consists of data analytics, marketing and presentation production, and working with HR business partners to support different functional areas within the company. Jessie considers herself a Des Moines advocate, and in her time outside of the office she is President of the Young Professionals Connection where she leads a team of 15 board members who drive programming and development opportunities for their 450+ young professional members in the Greater Des Moines community. Jessie also serves as the alumni advisor for UNI Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) and was a finalist for the Young Professional of the Year - Amy Jennings award in 2017, an award that honors a young professional for developing new initiatives in Greater Des Moines. She loves all things Des Moines, swimming and leadership and is a proud wife and puppy mom. Jessie is a 2015 UNI marketing & sales management graduate.
Effective Communication and Strategic Vision
Jessie Cruise is an HR Analyst at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines. In her role at Principal, Jessie works with the global investment HR teams to consult on all things talent and data. Her role consists of data analytics, marketing and presentation production, and working with HR business partners to support different functional areas within the company. Jessie considers herself a Des Moines advocate, and in her time outside of the office she is President of the Young Professionals Connection where she leads a team of 15 board members who drive programming and development opportunities for their 450+ young professional members in the Greater Des Moines community. Jessie also serves as the alumni advisor for UNI Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) and was a finalist for the Young Professional of the Year - Amy Jennings award in 2017, an award that honors a young professional for developing new initiatives in Greater Des Moines. She loves all things Des Moines, swimming and leadership and is a proud wife and puppy mom. Jessie is a 2015 UNI marketing & sales management graduate.
Katie Hillyer
Emotional Intelligence
Katie Hillyer is the Director of the Office for Professional Distinction at the University of Northern Iowa College of Business Administration. In her role at UNI, Katie provides leadership to the college's professional development, advising, recruitment, and retention initiatives. She is responsible for managing the strategic direction of the Professional Readiness Program and is involved in the execution of the program at all levels. Katie works closely with business students at all levels and advises the UNIBusiness Presidents' Council and UNI Women in Business. Prior to joining UNI, Katie worked as a public relations/social media specialist for Hellman advertising agency in Waterloo. She is a graduate of the Cedar Valley Leadership Institute, a two-time finalist for the TAI's Women of Innovation award, and a member of the Cedar Valley Power of the Purse planning committee. Katie earned a BA in marketing from UNI and an MBA from the University of Iowa.
Emotional Intelligence
Katie Hillyer is the Director of the Office for Professional Distinction at the University of Northern Iowa College of Business Administration. In her role at UNI, Katie provides leadership to the college's professional development, advising, recruitment, and retention initiatives. She is responsible for managing the strategic direction of the Professional Readiness Program and is involved in the execution of the program at all levels. Katie works closely with business students at all levels and advises the UNIBusiness Presidents' Council and UNI Women in Business. Prior to joining UNI, Katie worked as a public relations/social media specialist for Hellman advertising agency in Waterloo. She is a graduate of the Cedar Valley Leadership Institute, a two-time finalist for the TAI's Women of Innovation award, and a member of the Cedar Valley Power of the Purse planning committee. Katie earned a BA in marketing from UNI and an MBA from the University of Iowa.