Wednesday, September 30, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome.................................................................................................................... 2 Schedule Overview................................................................................................. 3 Session Details......................................................................................................... 4 About the Speakers................................................................................................ 8 Meet the Exhibitors.............................................................................................. 11 Library Map............................................................................................................. 12
Welcome to the fourth-annual Mayor’s Youth Conference!
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell
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Today, nearly 200 Cedar Rapids-area high school students will have the opportunity to learn from local entrepreneurs and business professionals, discover valuable resources available to them now and throughout their lives as residents, and walk away with a better understanding of how they can grow here.
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW 9:30 AM
Registration & Check-In
9:50 AM
Mayor's Welcome Address
10 AM
Form of Government Overview
BREAKOUTS: WORKSHOPS AND LESSONS A
10:15 AM
11 AM 11:15 AM 12 PM
Collegiate Path Money Moves to Make in College
Financial Activity Lunch
B
C
Pave Your Own Path
Employment Path
Mayor's Youth Climate Action Fund
Find Your Career Fit: Assessment & Workshop
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
Group Photo
BREAKOUTS: PANELS AND PRESENTATIONS A
12:15 PM
Collegiate Path Student Engagement 101
B
C
Pave Your Own Path
Employment Path
Mayor's Youth Climate Action Fund
12:50 PM
Keynote Speech: The Money Lessons You Didn't Learn in School
1:20 PM
Mayor's Closing Remarks
Next Steps: Local Employers & Job Opportunities
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SESSION DETAILS Mayor's Welcome Address 9:50–10 AM
Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell City of Cedar Rapids
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
explaining the message behind "Welcome is Our Language", the
The Mayor will kick off the conference with brief welcome remarks conference's theme "Grow Here" and an overview of the day.
Form of Government Overview 10–10:10 AM WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Breakouts: Workshops and Lessons 10:15–11 AM
Amanda Grieder Assistant City Manager, City of Cedar Rapids All attendees will receive a brief lesson in the functions of local government, how elected officials influence City policy, and how decisions are made in the Council-Manager form of government.
Collegiate Path Location: Whipple Auditorium
A
Money Moves to Make in College Malia Gudenkauf, Financial Educator and Founder of LM Finance Learn how to take control of your finances before graduation! This session will explore smart strategies for budgeting, managing student loans, finding scholarships, and planning for life after college—all designed to help you build a strong financial foundation while you're still in school.
Pave Your Own Path Location: Beems 1 Mayor’s Youth Climate Action Fund Workshop HOST: Sara Maples, Sustainability Manager, City of Cedar Rapids FACILITATORS: Haley Sevening, Planner III, City of Cedar Rapids | Mike Casella, Innovation & Customer Service Manager, City of Cedar Rapids | Kelli Albert, Communications Supervisor and Utilities Communication Specialist In this hands-on session, students will learn the basics of grant funding at the municipal level and be introduced to the Mayor’s Youth Climate Action Fund. They will generate ideas for a real application for the grant in small groups, with the help of City employees.
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B
Breakouts: Workshops and Lessons 10:15–11 AM
Employment Path Location: Beems 2
C
Find Your Career Fit: Assessment & Workshop Danielle Ebaugh, Career Services Supervisor, Kirkwood Community College Attendees will take a brief career assessment that will utilize their skills and results to determine which future career paths align best with their interests. Then, learn more about the career paths and various industries Cedar Rapids has to offer.
Financial Activity 11–11:15 AM
Andrew Johnson and Kelly Lind-Daufeldt
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
activity with questions in the categories of budgeting, saving/investing,
All attendees will participate in an engaging financial education credit, fraud, and more. Students will be guided through questions & discussion as they gain points to win.
Lunch 11:15 AM–12 PM BEEMS 1 & 2 EXHIBIT HALL
Grab a lunch box and enjoy your food in Beems Auditorium with a special presentation from HDR Engineering! Please let our team know if you have a dietary restriction so we can provide you with the correct meal. Students are encouraged to spend extra lunch time exploring the library, visiting the exhibit tables, and networking with other attendees and speakers.
Group Photo 12–12:10 PM WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Get your merch on! It's time to rock your Mayor's Youth Conference t-shirt for a group snapshot!
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SESSION DETAILS Breakouts: Panels and Presentations 12:15–12:45 PM
Collegiate Path Location: Whipple Auditorium
A
Student Engagement 101 PANELISTS: Jenna Rieder, Coe College | Sophia White, Kirkwood Community College | Mary Kate "MK" Bendlage, Mount Mercy University Attendees will witness current Cedar Rapids-area college students discussing all the ways they can get involved in their community while balancing school, jobs, new friends, and more. Speakers will talk all things student employment, organizations, athletics, nearby recreational activities, and more.
Pave Your Own Path Location: Beems 1
B
Pitch Competition After a day of ideation and collaboration, student teams will present their innovative, sustainable solutions for Cedar Rapids. Each team will have a few minutes to pitch their ideas, receive constructive feedback, and showcase how youth voices can shape a greener and thriving Cedar Rapids. The top team will be recognized with a prize. All participants can choose to turn this project into a real application for the $5,000 grant by the end of the day.
Employment Path Location: Beems 2
C
Next Steps: Local Employers & Job Opportunities PANELISTS: Mike Sadler, Business Manager, Built by Pros | Kendra Herdliska, Chief Human Resources Officer, Physicians' Clinic of Iowa (PCI) | Matt Evans, Principal & Practice Leader – Professional Liability, TrueNorth Companies Insurance Attendees will learn from employers from several of Cedar Rapids' largest industries, with a discussion based on the Session 1 assessment. Session will conclude with time for networking.
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Keynote Speech 12:50–1:20 PM WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
The Money Lessons You Didn't Learn in School HOST: Malia Gudenkauf, Financial Educator, Founder of LM Finance Discover practical financial skills most people wish they had learned sooner. Students will learn simple, actionable strategies they can start using today to build confidence with money, avoid common financial mistakes, and create more opportunities for their future.
Mayor's Closing Remarks 1:20–1:30 PM
Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell City of Cedar Rapids
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
get reminders as you exit. Thank you!
Make sure you stick around to receive this final recap of the day and
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS MAYOR TIFFANY O'DONNELL City of Cedar Rapids Tiffany has been an active leader in our community for the past 25 years. She has been involved in organizations across the city focusing on building women leaders, helping communities in need, growing our arts and culture and growing our business community. In addition to being sworn in as Mayor of Cedar Rapids in 2022, Tiffany is the Chief Executive Officer at Women Lead Change. Since joining the organization in 2015, she has led the expansion of the organization’s scope and reach, most recently reflecting that growth through a brand change. The organization, formerly called Iowa Women Lead Change, is now Women Lead Change. Under Tiffany's leadership, the Iowa-based team is now in five locations with offices in the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Des Moines, and Sioux Falls, SD. Tiffany is the mother of two daughters and has been married to her husband Michael for 33 years. She enjoys cooking — her family was recently featured in Family Dinner with Chef Andrew Zimmern on the Magnolia Network. She is also a private pilot!
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AMANDA GRIEDER City of Cedar Rapids Amanda Grieder has served the City in various roles since 2010. She began her work for the City as a police officer. In 2013, she became part of the Secure and Friendly Environments in Cedar Rapids (SAFECR) program. In 2014, she was promoted to the role of program manager, where she led a team of four in the mission to restore properties to compliance. In 2019, Amanda and her team took on the Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program, including pursuing violations through small claims court to ensure their proper resolution. Amanda and her team created a collections process that has been replicated throughout the state to ensure repeat violators are held accountable. In 2022, Amanda joined the City Manager’s Office as Program Manager, leading the Innovate CR and Customer Service programs and assisting with state and federal legislation. In 2023, Amanda was promoted to Assistant to the City Manager, and in 2025 to Assistant City manager. As Assistant City Manager, Amanda oversees the Facilities, Fleet, and Safety division managers; the Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control manager; the Innovation and Customer Service program manager; and assists with Federal and State legislation. Amanda holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Loras College and an MBA in Business Administration and General Management from St. Ambrose University.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS MALIA GUDENKAUF Financial Educator, Creator, and Founder Malia is the founder of Little Miss Finance, a modern financial education organization. At the heart of Malia's approach is her commitment to banishing financial jargon and breaking down complex concepts into relatable, everyday language. As a speaker, 1:1 coach, and social media content creator, she delivers personal finance education that helps individuals feel more confident and equipped in achieving their financial goals. @littlemissfinance
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MEET THE EXHIBITORS During lunch, apply what you've been learning with a visit to our Exhibit Hall! Meet with representatives from local colleges and universities, and discover how to connect to City jobs and community volunteer opportunities. Our Exhibit Hall is an information hub and place to pave your way to a thriving future in Cedar Rapids.
COE COLLEGE Founded in 1851, Coe College is a nationally recognized four-year private college. Here you'll build relationships in the classroom, stack professional experiences, and become part of a nurturing and lively downtown campus environment.
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE Kirkwood Community College is proud to have served the needs of students in Eastern Iowa for more than a half century. As the area’s leading provider of accessible, affordable, and exceptional education and training, Kirkwood provides expertise and leadership that help students reach their full potential in their future careers.
MOUNT MERCY UNIVERSITY Since 1928, Mount Mercy University has offered students a fulfilling education — promising people of all backgrounds a solid preparation for a changing world — in careers focused on service, ethical leadership, and social responsibility. Our students come from around the globe, creating a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming campus community.
CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS Discover exciting job opportunities that contribute to our city's continued growth and development. Explore positions that align with your career aspirations and be part of the dynamic future of our hometown. New this year, stop by our additional tables to learn more about the Mayor's Youth Climate Action Fund and provide feedback for current City projects with Community Development.
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LIBRARY MAP
REGISTRATION
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WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM FULL GROUP PATH A
BEEMS 2 PATH C
EXHIBIT HALL
BEEMS 1 PATH B
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