Speakers
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Katy Susong - "You Don't Need Permission to Change the World: Rise to Your Potential"
Katy Susong strives to live and lead authentically. Katy is the president and CEO of Iowa-based Cardinal Construction, a mid-sized commercial construction and development company. She is the 128-year-old company's first female CEO. In her role, she guides the execution of the company's short- and long-term strategic initiatives. She is passionate about empowering others and leading change. Katy is committed to giving back to her community, and serves on multiple boards and councils. In 2001, she was recognized for her contributions and named as Grow Cedar Valley's Businessperson of the Year for her leadership in creating and strengthening regional collaboration and cooperation for economic and community development. |
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Molly Knuth - "It's OK to Change Your Mind: Leading in 'Small' Ways"
Molly Knuth is a marketing strategist, owner of Molly Knuth Media, and host of The Found Podcast who is on a mission to help women in small towns rewrite how they live and work on their own terms. She's helping women find businesses, find themselves, and get found online through holistic online marketing practices. In the past 6 years, Molly has gone from a stay-at-home mom to a freelance social media marketer to a #bossbabe managing her marketing client needs, talented team members, and my husband and four kiddos on our little farm in Eastern Iowa. What she's learned in that time is that it's not just about going full force or any one-size-fits-all strategy as a business owner. It takes a woman who is willing to lean into her unique gifts, intuition, and goals, and learning about who she is as a person along the way. |
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Heather Bishop - "Find Your Inner Roar"
Heather is the Global Director of Manufacturing and Operations at John Deere. She is a strong believer in women empowerment and finding your inner confidence. She has found ways to impact her community through her involvement on the Board of Directors for Cedar Valley United Way and as an executive Sponsor for Waterloo WomenREACH. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience from her many years at John Deere, managing a variety of teams and initiatives, working both domestically and globally. Heather will explore how we can use our internal voice to change our mindset and instill confidence in our daily lives. |
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Madilyne Harmston - "The Power of Your Story"
Madilyne is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and mental health professional in Minnesota. She owns a private therapy practice called, Lyght. She is a huge advocate in making mental health care accessible and affordable for all. Madilyne believes that personal stories are one of the greatest advocacy tools. Everyone has a personal story and in that story is POWER. |
Student Panelists
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Tristen Prouse - Economics Major and Legal Studies Minor
"How has leadership impacted your college experience?" Leadership has greatly impacted my college experience. My leadership positions have allowed me to grow as a student, woman, and young business professional. I am Co-President of President's Council, President of Pre-Law Club, Captain of Debate Team, VP of Community Service for Multicultural Business Leaders Association, and a TA for Principles of Macroeconomics (all of which are great things to be involved with at UNI!). I have gained important public speaking, critical thinking, and networking skills. Most importantly, however, my leadership positions have allowed me to meet incredible people and powerful women who I can look to and admire. Learning from people in leadership positions, and learning from your own leadership positions, is an important skill to develop. Positions of leadership are where women should be, and I love seeing women support women and build each other up. Know that you always deserve a seat at the table and that as a woman, your voice deserves to be empowered. |
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Auriona Kimbrough - Kinesiology Major and Coaching and Sports Administration Minor
"How has leadership impacted your college experience?" Leadership has positively impacted my college experience. Leadership roles have caused me to branch out of my comfort zone and build confidence. For example, trying new activities, clubs, organizations. Leadership has helped me find positivity in almost everything and motivates me to take on new challenges. |
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Bailey Fah - Human Resources Major and Theater Minor
"How has leadership impacted your college experience?" Before college, I was under the impression that management and leadership are one in the same. What I've learned is that you can be as involved as you want and hold roles that call you a "leader", but to be acknowledged as one, you need to know what motivates you and how you can motivate others. Joining organizations like SHRM have helped me discover what and who motivates me to do my best! |
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Lexi Gause - Social Work Major and Mental Health Minor
"How has leadership impacted your college experience?" Throughout my college experience leadership has been a prominent aspect to my presence on campus. I have been able to challenge myself, influence others, and gain the necessary skills to continue leading when I move on to my next chapter. Through my leadership positions I have been able to impact students on this campus by serving on executive boards, hosting and leading events through the Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice office, and through mentoring current students through their academic journey on campus. Leadership is within everyone, and to be a leader is not only about one's ability to lead someone or something, it's about having the incentive to make a difference in someone's life or community and always striving to bring out the leader in the next person. |