Issue 01 Wilson Magazine by northern-iowa-business-college

ISSUE 01

2023-24

Master of Business Administration

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CONTENTS DEAN LESLIE K. WILSON MANAGING EDITOR JORDAN MCNAMARA DESIGNER MEGAN GREEN WRITERS WRITEBRAIN ANNA FLANDERS RUSSELL GUAY NICK FISHER

FEATURES

ISSUE 1 // 2023-2024

PURPOSE DRIVEN

FUNDING WHAT’S NEXT

THE AI REVOLUTION

The College of Business’ Exciting New Chapter

Fund innovation, mitigate risks

Benefits and Potential Limitations of ESG Investing

Please send comments, suggestions and ideas to: unibusiness.editor@uni.edu Wilson is published annually by the Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa. The University of Northern Iowa does not discriminate in employment or education. Visit uni.edu/ policies/1303 for additional information.

AN EVOLVING PROFESSION

IMPACT IOWA

MANUFACTURING INNOVATION

Innovation in Business

2023 Graduating Class

Innovating Responsibly

Accounting Program Expands

Coding for the NFL

Siblings Unite

UNI Welcomes Students from Across the Globe

Naming Incubator Suite

Alumni in Residence

New Financial Literacy Support

Women of Business Hall of Fame

Dean’s Fund for Excellence

College Awards

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PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS

ANNUAL GIVING

COLLEGE NEWS

Student Competes at National Competition Graduate Becomes Youngest CFP

business.uni.edu

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scape, and it’s essential that our graduates are well-prepared for this evolving environment. It should be evident that in defining the gift purpose, David aligned that purpose with his personal passions and the strategic priorities of the college. I’m truly proud to be part of the David W. Wilson College of Business. Our commitment to excellence, integrity and innovation remains unwavering. We continue to ensure our graduates are #ReadyForBusiness. Please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to David Wilson for his incredible generosity. Together, we’re shaping the future of business education and providing amazing opportunities for our students.

Leslie K. Wilson, Dean University of Northern Iowa Wilson College of Business leslie.wilson@uni.edu linkedIn.com/in/UNIBizDean @LeslieWilsonUNI

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I am delighted to announce fantastic news: The college received a generous $25 million naming donation, and we are now officially the David W. Wilson College of Business. This incredible gift is a game-changer, setting the stage for transformative developments in the college. You might be wondering how this donation will make a difference for the college and our students. Let me share the exciting details. First and foremost, this remarkable gift establishes the Wilson Student Scholars program targeted to students who have financial need from Tama County, Iowa, where Dave grew up, willing to work or volunteer while in college. The scholarship covers the expenses associated with attending UNI — tuition, fees, room and board — after all other scholarships and grants have been applied. The ultimate

goal is to have four Wilson Student Scholars at all times. Providing affordable access to a high-quality college education is UNI’s highest priority. Next, this generous donation allows us to expand ethics education, in the college and across the campus, with the potential to impact every UNI student. David Wilson attributes his success to doing what’s right for his customers, employees and community. He firmly believes that UNI played a critical role in shaping his ethical values, and he’s committed to ensuring that current and future generations of students receive that same ethical education. Integrity will be more fully integrated into our curriculum, our mission and our brand. If you’ve been following our alumni magazine, you know ethics has long been a college priority. Lastly, David recognizes the importance of staying at the cutting edge of innovation. This gift provides the resources needed to support ongoing innovation within Wilson College. This year’s magazine theme is all about how businesses and organizations are adapting to a changing land-

URPOSE DRIVE

ALUM’S TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT ESTABLISHES DAVID W. WILSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS One might think David Wilson would be taking a step back from his day-to-day business dealings. At 75, he has spent the past 50 years in automotive dealerships, working nearly every position. Starting out as a “nighttime mechanic” in college, Wilson would eventually become Chairman and CEO of his own company: Wilson Automotive, one of the nation’s largest privately held auto dealerships. But on a humid summer morning at his vacation property in northwest Idaho, he’s still very much in the thick of it. As a crew sets up lighting equipment for a photo shoot, Wilson fields a flurry of phone calls, arranging various meetings and putting out fires. The drive remains, Wilson explains, because business is about creating opportunities for others. It’s a philosophy that has defined his career. Whereas his competitors may have been short-sighted in their pursuit of profit, Wilson says he focused on “the long run,” investing in his employees and building loyal customers. In an industry commonly associated with unscrupulous business practices, Wilson strove to “do well by doing good.” “If you build a good organization, that organization will build your business … and I believe you will be successful in the long run,” Wilson said.

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GET ALL THE DETAILS ON THE HISTORIC GIFT wilson.uni.edu

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SINGLE LARGEST GIFT IN UNI HISTORY USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF EDUCATION

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As the first named college, Wilson College of Business will model integrity, nurture innovation and expand ethics education across campus

The philosophy of doing right is the motivation behind a historic and transformative gift to Wilson’s alma mater. Last fall, the 1970 graduate announced a $25 million gift that charts a bold path for the future of the College of Business, fueling strategic initiatives and investing in faculty and students. This gift supports academic programs and faculty, renewing the investment in the people and programs that foster student success, all while keeping an eye on the next generation. Starting today and for years to come, scholarship opportunities for future generations are broadened. With the desire to promote integrity, future leaders are encouraged to think critically and make ethical decisions. Lastly, all students are encouraged to explore new ideas, push boundaries and deliver even greater value. In honor of the investment the college will henceforth be known as the David W. Wilson College of Business. “The Wilson College of Business will truly transform business education at UNI, taking our already premier business programs to new heights,” said UNI President Mark Nook. “This is a historic moment for our campus. We’re honored that UNI’s first named college will stand as a testament to David’s belief in the power of education and will provide the resources for the university to foster innovation for the future.”

Leslie Wilson, dean of the College of Business, said the gift represents a new chapter, building upon a long tradition of excellence. “David’s expectations for how this investment will be used reveal his passion for ethical business practices,” Dean Wilson said. “His journey shows that ethical practices combined with a great education, hard-work and perseverance, lead to career success. His story should be one that inspires our students to do the same.” This most recent contribution expands on David’s previous support that created the Wilson Chair in Business Ethics in 1999. For the past two decades, the faculty position has educated students about ethics and served as a resource on the topic for the community. The Wilson Chair will play an important role in the vision for the Wilson College of Business.

Early Life and UNI A portion of the gift establishes the Wilson Student Scholars program, providing renewable scholarships for students with financial need from Tama County, Iowa, which includes Traer – David’s hometown. These students are expected to engage in work and volunteer activities throughout their tenure at UNI. This small town of 1,000 is where Wilson forged the foundation of his entrepreneurial spirit, delivering the Des Moines Register and Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier as an adolescent. This was his initial foray into

sales. The job demanded he “sell the subscription, deliver the paper and then go around and collect” from his neighbors. As the eldest of five children, David took on many responsibilities to support his parents, such as night and weekend chores once the Wilsons moved to a farm outside of town. “I went from being a paperboy and shoveling snow and mowing grass in town to working for my dad, which didn’t pay as well,” Wilson laughed. “But that’s what we had to do to survive.” Neither of David’s parents attended college, but they always expected that path for their children. David’s mother, who also worked full-time, arranged to pay his first year of school on the condition that he funded the remainder. Thus began David’s time at UNI as well as his entry into the auto business. “Car salesman” was the last in a series of mostly blue-collar jobs – nighttime mechanic and a stint in a foundry among them – which financed his degree. As an incoming freshman, Wilson wasn’t sure what his future held. He considered dentistry; he thought he might become a minister. He admits that above all he was concerned with staying in school. The specter of the country’s intensifying war with Vietnam loomed over his college years. Too many of his friends, including a fellow Traer native who had dropped out of UNI, were wounded or killed in the conflict. “[If] you lost your student deferment, they liked college guys,

“The Wilson College of Business will truly transform business education at UNI, taking our already premier business programs to new heights.”

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explained. “And this book says, ‘Quit worrying about where you’re going and what you’re doing and just do it.’” “I believe with success comes increased responsibility,” he told an interviewer at the time.

SMALL TOWN IOWA BIG DREAMS Watch the inspiring story of David Wilson.

“Iowa Never Leaves You” Upon graduating from UNI, David and his budding family would move to Arizona. Wilson said he was inspired in part by a Parade Magazine ad that beckoned: “Go where the sun goes for the winter.” Upon their arrival, the family’s Lincoln limped into a Phoenix- area dealership. Seeking a discount on service, Wilson persuaded the manager to make him a salesman. Within five years, he would own a 25% stake in the business. That ownership would eventually be leveraged to launch his own dealerships throughout the southwest United States and parts of Mexico. Wilson Automotive now comprises 18 locations with more than 2,000 employees and produces more than $3 billion in annual sales. During a tour of his Idaho property, Wilson gestures to a small natural courtyard near the driveway’s entrance. He describes a sculpture that he plans to erect in that very spot. The 8-foot-tall bronze depicts a man in the Classical Greek style, appearing to chisel himself out of the stone, “carving his character, carving his future,” according to the artist’s description. The title of the piece: “Self Made Man.” “I’ve had a wonderful life, a terrific career,” David reflected. “This gift to UNI is made in the hope that this money will transform the university; transform the College of Business into teaching the ethical way to do business … I’m hoping this gift will ensure students will learn to do things the

business.uni.edu/wilson-bio

SHAPING A BOLD FUTURE FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION Learn what’s next for the college.

business.uni.edu/bold-future

RELIVING OF OUR LARGEST GIFT EVER Watch the highlights from the announcement. WILSON 2023-2024

so they’d send you to officer candidate school, and then six months later, you’re a second lieutenant,” Wilson said. “And the average lifespan of a second lieutenant in Vietnam was 11 days. So you can see there was a little pressure.” There were fond memories of UNI, too: attending wrestling meets, hanging out with friends in the Psi Omega fraternity and listening to the chime of the Campanile bells from his dorm in Baker Hall. Inspired by classes with Professor Thomas Thompson, who became the first faculty head of the Department of Religion and Philosophy in 1969, Wilson would graduate with a degree in philosophy. “[Professor Thompson] was the one who really got me interested in logic, ethics and philosophy,” Wilson said. “He was an excellent instructor. In religion and philosophy, oftentimes you aren’t dealing with hard facts like in math or chemistry… but there was a sense of certainty in the way [Professor Thompson] taught.” Wilson would minor in business as well, more than a decade before the School of Business was formally created as an independent college in 1981. At the time, the program’s home was in Seerley Hall. Wilson said his college years were also defined by the education he received outside of the classroom under the mentorship of Dick Gray, the manager of the local car dealership where Wilson got his first sales job. The two played chess after work hours and discussed topics such as philosophy and business well into the night. It was Gray who exposed Wilson to the “Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. The influential book taught Wilson to believe in himself in the face of adversity and contributed to his decisiveness as a leader. “I was [a college student] wrestling with those questions about ‘What’s happening in my life?’; ‘Where am I going?’” Wilson

right way.”

business.uni.edu/wilson-recap

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FUNDING WHAT'S NEXT:

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FINANCING INNOVATION IN A FAST-PACED WORLD

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in 2020. Nearly $466 billion, or 87%, was internal financing. Different sectors finance innovation differently, too. It’s probably no surprise the software industry leads the way globally, accounting for almost 20% of all business research and development funding in 2021. The health sector was second, at 17%. In total, global R&D spending reached 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars in 2021.

A BALANCING ACT OF RISK AND RETURN

One of the biggest struggles businesses have when discussing innovation is balancing the potential risk and rewards. In many cases, innovation fails. In fact, it’s often cited that more than 90% of innovations don’t make it to market, providing no return for the business. It’s true innovation can sometimes feel like a betting game, but there are ways to approach it which can encourage innovation without significantly hurting the core business. Scott Breon (Finance and Economics, ‘12), head of finance for YouTube’s emerging products division, explained how Google categorizes its business into “Core Business” and “Other Bets,” allowing for differentiated resource allocation based on the level of risk. While the “Core Business” focuses on incremental enhancements to core

products, “Other Bets” engages in ventures with higher risks and potentially greater rewards. They also have a division called “Google X” which looks at what the next frontier of innovations could be. “Innovation is very much a part of the culture at Google,” Breon said. Breon added, it’s important to set predefined metrics, or key performance indicators (KPIs), to determine commercial viability. Google performs a lot of alpha and beta testing, just like startups do, then gathers as much data as they can before moving forward. They used this method with YouTube Shopping in South Korea and Japan – two target markets – before launching globally. David Petratis (Management, ‘81) is currently the chair of the board at MasterBrand, Inc. and served as the president and CEO at Allegion plc, a global provider of security products and solutions, from 2013 to 2022. He lives by the motto that businesses must adapt to survive. For him, having a clear vision and roadmap for how innovation will be monetized and integrated into the business models is essential. At Allegion, he split off an organization called Allegion Ventures. Their goal was to be the eyes and ears in the industry and jump on innovations as they saw them, helping reduce overall

“There’s risk associated with innovation. Not everything’s going to work, but the idea is to find the point where you decide to either stop, change direction or just keep going.”

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In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, the pursuit of innovation stands as a fundamental driver of growth and success. As organizations strive to maintain a competitive edge and respond to evolving market demands, the ability to finance innovation becomes a pivotal factor in their strategies. According to a 2015 Accenture survey, 84% of executives considered their future success to be very, or extremely, dependent on innovation. One of the biggest obstacles for innovation is funding. Oftentimes, the process involves a delicate balancing act — allocating resources to explore new opportunities while maintaining the stability of ongoing operations. And at today’s breakneck pace of new technology and advancements, the pressure is on for companies to step up and innovate. “Innovation is crucial for growth and continued survival for a company,” said Brett Olsen, head of finance at the Wilson College of Business. “Innovation provides a competitive advantage. Competitors can’t quit if they fall behind. Either they need to innovate to catch back up or try to become the new leader. And as innovation increases in speed, as we see with technology, a company’s survival may depend upon how nimble it can be.” Typically, innovation funding comes from three sources, Olsen said: internally, issuing new shares or borrowing money. In the United States, most of the innovation financing comes internally. According to statistics from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, businesses spent $538 billion on research and development

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TIPS ON HOW TO APPROACH FINANCING INNOVATION We asked David Petratis for some practical tips on how to approach financing innovation. Here’s what he said.

BUSINESS INNOVATION

Your mind should be open to learning. You must observe and process innovation that might be counter to current thinking.

You must be proactive. If you’re not creating the next innovation, partner or meet with those who are.

2024 CALENDAR

Make innovation a part of your daily or weekly agenda.

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Be willing to put time and money into innovation.

Know when to hold them and know when to fold them. Sometimes it’s harder to exit and take your loss than it is to ride out a losing innovation, even if that’s the right decision.

risk. One of the new technologies that came out of the venture was a smart lock that could be controlled from a phone. “Not all bets come in,” Petratis said. “A business needs to go out and understand where the innovation is coming from and the resources you’ll need. What are the investments we need to make to increase our odds of success? Reducing that risk was an important part of that model for Allegion Ventures. It still operates today at Allegion.” Olsen has seen other businesses put money toward dedicated “Innovation Tanks” which serve as a reservoir for testing and nurturing new concepts without jeopardizing ongoing operations. The evaluation of innovation projects based on predetermined KPIs becomes a crucial factor in assessing potential value, whether in terms of user engagement, adoption rates or revenue growth. There’s also a need for business agility, which helps reduce risk. The ability to reallocate funds based on changing market dynamics, consumer feedback and emerging opportunities becomes a critical component of successful innovation financing. “There’s risk associated with innovation. Not everything’s going to work,” Olsen said. “But the idea is to find the point where you decide to either stop, change direction or just keep going. That’s going to depend on how risk averse the company is.”

ALLOCATING TIME, RESOURCES AND LEARNING TOWARD INNOVATION

Different businesses integrate and finance research and development differently. For

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“It really depends on how the company is structured,” Olson said. “There was a smaller department within the engine division, for example, that was looking at new product development. So, they might have connections with other divisions or departments, but there wasn’t a division solely for product innovations.”

A BIG CHALLENGE FOR A SMALL BUSINESS

Innovative financing presents unique challenges for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs). The goal for small and medium-sized businesses should be delivering at a high level first, then laying out a plan for new products and services. “Be able to deliver bottom-line results in a balanced way,” Petratis said. “If you do that well, it allows time to invest in the future.” To reduce risk, smaller businesses can leverage collaborative partnerships and networks – perhaps with larger companies, or investors – to access resources and expertise. Tap into incubators, accelerators and industry associations to create those networks. Financing innovation is multifaceted and challenging, but it’s an integral part of business growth. By fostering an innovation-driven culture, strategically allocating resources, embracing agility, mitigating risks and prioritizing long-term investments, organizations can position themselves to seize opportunities. Petratis puts it simply, “The lifeblood of businesses is profitable growth. And if you’re not placing some bets on the table on the innovation that’s driving today, you will miss those growth opportunities and potentially be lapped.”

DAVID PETRATIS Chair of the Board MasterBrand, Inc.

BRETT OLSEN

Department of Finance Head, Wilson College of Business

SCOTT BREON Head of Finance, YouTube Emerging Products Division

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example, at Google, they implement something called the “20% Project,” Breon said. The 20% Project gives all employees 20% of their time to be creative and innovative. The approach is one of the reasons Google has the reputation it does, and it has led to groundbreaking developments, including the creation of Gmail and Google Assistant. “It instills in the culture that we want you to think about a new product at Google, even if you’re in legal, or in HR, or an accountant,” Breon said. “You shouldn’t be bound by your day-to-day skills. If you have an idea that you think is beneficial to Google, we want to give you the free time and the brain space to get that out.” Google also uses the practice of “blameless postmortems” to foster a culture of embracing failure and leveraging lessons for future success. This approach encourages Google to view failures as valuable learning experiences that contribute to their overall innovation journey. “Postmortems are just as important as the upfront testing,” Breon said. “What did we predict would happen and what did happen? And what was the difference? You want to instill a culture that no one’s getting blamed for this. We wanted to be open and honest. We’re all in this together. I know that sounds super obvious, but it goes a long way.” Many companies integrate their R&D resources into separate divisions. At Caterpillar, where Olsen worked before becoming a professor, each business group had teams dedicated to product advancement. This way the people working on the innovation are intimately familiar with the core business and products.

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THE AI REVOLUTION

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Things to consider in this new world of AI for business, innovation.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one of the hottest topics in business. With the rapid popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has reached over 100 million users in less than a year, business leaders in all industries are forced to look at AI and how it will affect their operations and business. According to a 2023 KPMG study, 3 in 4 business leaders predict generative AI will be a top three emerging technology over the next 12-18 months. As with any new technology, businesses will have to balance the benefits and drawbacks. With AI, those decisions may come with great implications. “I think artificial intelligence is really going to fundamentally change the world in a lot of ways,” said Chris Noe (MIS, ‘00), senior director of solution engineering at Salesforce. “I look at the buckets of innovation of the past few centuries: electricity, the Internet, mobile phones and AI. And I think from an AI perspective, adoption will be even more accelerated.” Artificial intelligence has been around for decades. Think of the chatbots you use for customer service inquiries or even the well-publicized story of Deep

Blue defeating chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in the 1990s. The recent advancements in generative AI, though, have made it a much more accessible tool. Generative AI can produce various types of content, including text, imagery, audio and synthetic data. For businesses, that has brought a lot of benefits – like leveraging it to complete mundane tasks, increase productivity, or spark creative ideas – but there are numerous risks that leaders need to consider as well. Joyce Pingel (MIS/Computer Science, ‘87), president of Epiphany Industrial Technologies and Chief Innovation Officer at HOLT CAT, oversees several companies in a variety of industries, mostly in manufacturing. She’s excited about how AI can help people be more productive and free up time for creativity and more meaningful work. Pingel is also closely monitoring the risks around AI, particularly misinformation and cybersecurity. For example, ChatGPT takes in information during inquiries to improve future answers and build upon its large-language model. If an employee discloses sensitive information to ask a question, they

may have unknowingly given away company data. Or if there is faulty data on the backend that the model pulls into its response, the answer may not even be correct, opening the possibility for mistakes. “There’s a lot of nervousness in companies around big security breaches because employees think they can use these tools to do their jobs faster, but then they just send company data out the door,” Pingel said. “Now they are in the public and used in the AI’s formulas for responses. That’s how leaks happen.” In the accounting world, Amy Igou, associate professor of accounting, said AI can be a huge help during busy seasons and to fill longtime staffing shortages in the industry. Igou has studied innovation and technology for decades. She shares the same business concerns as Pingel, but she also recognizes how much of a benefit AI could be. There will still be a huge need for humans to add professional judgment to results, but AI could take away some of the busywork that does not add substantial value for the firm from the accountants’ role while also providing better information to for human decision-making.

Tips on how to leverage AI We asked Joyce Pingel for her advice to business leaders who are thinking through how to leverage AI. Here’s what she said.

“From January to April, a lot of accountants are working 80 to 100 hours a week, so let’s take some of that manual busywork and give auditors better information to make decisions,” Igou said. “There’s things from automatically doing reconciliation to analyzing millions of transactions to determine what’s out of the ordinary, which could save a lot of time.” Noe mentioned the impact predictive AI has already had. Predictive AI, the predecessor to generative AI, analyzes data and predicts future needs. For example, a financial services company that attempts to determine the likelihood a customer might default on their loans. Not only does the AI tool affect lending decisions, but it could help the company work with a potential customer proactively, whether that’s a unique payment structure or extending the loan out a few years. “Those types of things are simple to understand, and a place where AI is already having an impact,” Noe said. “It all goes back to data in those cases. Those companies are sitting on that data, and it’s something they can leverage to make those decisions.

If you’re not paying attention to what’s happening in generative AI, make sure to get up to speed. This is the next big innovation.

Take a look at your staffing models and where artificial intelligence could take on mundane tasks. Then figure out how to reallocate your staff. We’re all facing staffing shortages, so it’s a matter of using the people we currently have to do more meaningful work.

Keep AI in the center of cybersecurity conversations and address it in your employee handbooks.

That can have a huge impact on those companies.”

INNOVATION IMPACTING INNOVATION

Yes, generative AI is a huge innovation, but it may be a key spark in other innovations as well. A typical innovation usually starts with an idea, then further discussed in a group setting. Now with a tool like ChatGPT, people have a room full of advisers at their fingertips. “I think AI is going to accelerate what those companies bring to market because they are going to have a lot of useful information at their fingertips to guide them in product direction,” Noe said. Pingel agrees and has been monitoring how to integrate AI into the innovation process for the companies she oversees. “We’re going to have things presented back to us in ways we’ve never thought about,” she said. “Innovation is honestly about input, whether that’s humans talking around a table, or data you have access to. Now you can have seven different advisers right in front of you with generative AI. So I anticipate the speed of innovation is going to increase at a faster pace.”

Pingel added that the faster pace might cause issues with intellectual property and ownership. If someone comes to the same conclusion days apart thanks to help from generative AI tools, who owns the IP? Does it belong to the developer of the tool? These are questions that have yet to be answered, Pingel said. Another aspect for businesses to consider: The backbone of AI is data. Companies have recognized the importance of data for years, but generative AI, which is built on a foundation of data, will only magnify data’s value. That’s true for innovation, business solutions or any other use case for AI. As with any digital tool, the data it spits out is only as good as the data that goes in. “Companies are sitting on a ton of data, and now that there are these amazing AI capabilities that they are either building themselves or purchasing from other companies,” Noe said. “AI is going to help these businesses become much more efficient, productive and grow quicker.”

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An Evolving Profession: Innovation in human resources management

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The management of human resources is evolving is evolving. Historically one of the more human and emotionally-driven roles within businesses, the profession has been impacted by a decade of rapid innovation. That has provided a field with new tools, processes and considerations that wouldn’t have been fathomable just 20 or 30 years ago. “There’s been a big push over the past decade to bring more rigor and data to HR decisions,” said Joshua Dahle (Management, Human Resources and Economics, ‘13), a consultant for Korn Ferry, a global human capital management consulting organization. “Understanding data and getting people with the skills and background in HR functions to help drive decisions with data has been a huge change.” And it’s not just data, although that’s been one of the biggest shifts. The rise of artificial intelligence, remote work and the need to personalize employee experiences have made significant changes in industry and the role of technology even more important.

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS ON A ROLL

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Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, is one of the newest disruptors on the scene. The benefits are enormous, taking on roles in screening applicants, writing new and unique job descriptions, or evaluating job performances. Some companies have even implemented AI tools to conduct and analyze job interviews while mimicking real humans on a computer screen. That has raised questions about ethical hiring practices. On one hand, AI tools can take the human element out of the equation and evaluate applicants based on a set standard. On the other hand, that standard may have inherited biases based on the data input – data that may be hard to find after the fact. “Even though AI can overcome some issues of human bias, the generative AI algorithm is like a black box, and it uses past data to do future predictions,” said Bulin Zhang, assistant professor of human resources. “If there is any bias in previous data, it can lead to biased algorithms. That kind of bias can be hard to identify and could actually reduce the diversity of the workforce because

it’s using traditional standards to screen people.” Organizations have already implemented AI to do a whole host of tasks, freeing up time for professionals to put the finishing touches on AI work or pursue more meaningful tasks. One example is writing job descriptions. It’s a necessary task, but one that can get monotonous. “Writing job descriptions is a huge undertaking, but AI gives you a very generic structure,” Dahle said. “Every organization is going to have nuance, or slight difference, so someone in HR is going to have to be familiar and make those descriptions specific and accurate. But AI can take a huge load off that work for those professionals.” Tony Thelan (MBA, ‘01), an executive coach and former vice president at John Deere, believes AI has been and will continue to play a key role in human resources work. But the human element will always remain essential. “My view is that it’s going to streamline things,” he said. “But the most powerful component will always be the human plus AI, not the AI making decisions. I don’t see a future where it’s to that extreme.”

A DATA-DRIVEN TREND

As data analytics have become more reliable and accessible, human resources professionals have been able to measure many different aspects of the workplace and find related trends. Organizations can take in dozens of data points about new hires, measure job performance over time, then use what they learned to better hiring practices and decisions. Zhang provided an example from Google, where they previously conducted about eight to 12 interviews per hire. They discovered they only needed about four interviews to extract the information to make an informed decision, drastically cutting down on money and time. The company has also measured the average time an employee spends in line for food, then optimized wait times to avoid detracting from work but keeping enough time to network with coworkers. The challenge is not every business understands how to properly track and understand data. A lot depends on the type of questions asked, or how an individual interprets numbers. Individuals within organizations have also raised the question about privacy. Recent data from

“My view is that it’s going to streamline things, but the most powerful component will always be the human plus AI, not the AI making decisions. I don’t see a future where it’s to that extreme.” Tony Thelan, Executive Coach

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“I’ve worked with a lot of companies that have data and tools, and they have questionable methodology [...] that’s a big thing for human resources, hire more data people and people who understand data concepts.”

research company Forrestor found that 72% of employees do not want their personal data used as part of workforce analytics projects without their consent. Additionally, more than half wish they had more privacy protection in the workplace. “Open communication and transparency are important,” Zhang said. “Have a policy that lets employees know what kinds of data are collected, how they will be used. This will help the employee trust the organization.”

APART, BUT FEELING CONNECTED

Remote work has become more the norm – about 35% of people work remotely according to the Pew Research Center – and organizations and human resources professionals have to use technology to keep their employees connected and teams agile. While businesses now have access to a labor pool around the globe, no longer confined by location, a new challenge is keeping those employees happy, engaged and feeling heard. “A lot of companies have realized you have to give employees the best experience, so they stay,” said Dahle, who specializes in employee rewards and compen-

sation. “Some of the top non-cash rewards are growth, development and career progression. So organizations are formalizing career architecture ladders to provide growth and a future for employees.” These changes start with onboarding. Many companies are offering career maps for new hires, and leveraging supervisors to check in on employees’ engagement and goals within the company. Speaking of supervisors, remote work has also increased the need for quality leadership and the need for formal supervisor training. It’s important for leaders to both engage and trust in their teams to get the work done. “I think there’s more coaching than there is micromanaging in the workplace today, and I think that spawns from all the remote activity,” Thelan said. “You’ve got to trust people are doing the right thing; you can’t micromanage people in a remote environment. So leaders had to test themselves. Do they really trust employees or not? And I think that’s a big deal in if employees are engaged or not.”

NEW TOOLS AND TRADITIONAL WAYS

In the end, the key to innovation in human resources will be

balancing innovation and the importance of human decision making. There is certainly a need for professionals in the industry to understand and interpret data and tools in a responsible way. “In my experience, a lot of HR teams aren’t technical people. They’re very good at navigating emotional situations,” Dahle said. “I’ve worked with a lot of companies that have data and tools, and they have questionable methodology. So I think that’s a big thing for human resources, hire more data people and people who understand data concepts. Or at least train their human resources in that area.” Zhang believes the trend toward basic administrative work being replaced by technology will continue, but humans will always need to make a final call. And that’s where the critical human-centric role of human resources will continue to be vital. “On one hand, simple tasks can be done by technology,” Zhang said. “But on the other hand, people play an even more important role because we have a lot of data, and a lot of complex information, that make decisions difficult. HR will be critical in navigating this information and making the correct decision for employees.”

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Joshua Dahle, Associate Principal at Korn Ferry

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INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Intellectual property is big business. In the United States, IP-intensive businesses – like manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and professional, technical, management and administrative services – accounted for $7.8 trillion in gross domestic product, 41% of total GDP, in 2019. Manufacturing may be the most IP-intensive industry of them all. According to a 2019 report from NPD Analytics, IP-intensive manufacturing industries invested 12.4 times more into research and development per employee than non-IP-intensive industries. Some of the top industries were pharmaceutical, communications equipment, chemical, computer and electronic, and medical equipment. “A lot of these innovations are coming in software and technology, and it affects manufacturing,” said David Petratis (Management, ‘81), chair of the board for MasterBrand. Prior to joining MasterBrand, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Allegion plc, a global provider of security products and solutions. “Software is proprietary, and their software is embedded in

some products like electronic chip designs. So, thinking of a company like Microsoft, they heavily defend their software from an IP standpoint. If you don’t defend your IP, it can kill you. And if you drive at it opportunistically, with an eye on the long-term future, it can be an engine of growth for your business.” Petratis mentioned that many of these IP-intensive companies make a substantial slice of their revenue from creating and protecting intellectual property, something that has become even more important to prioritize in a globalized business world. Companies across the globe see more products, have access to more information and act faster than ever before. With the introduction of generative artificial intelligence to the public via tools like Chat GPT, anyone can get information about a similar innovation within minutes. That could raise questions about who owns intellectual property and makes speed all the more important. For example, if a company uses ChatGPT to work through new products or manufacturing pro-

cesses, does the owner of the generative AI own the idea? Or does the idea belong to the person inputting the questions and taking the information? Or if someone arrives at a similar innovation at about the same time, who is awarded the intellectual property? “Those are tough ideas the industry is facing right now, along with the speed of innovation,” said Joyce Pingel (Management Information Systems, ‘87), president of Epiphany Industrial Technologies and Chief Innovation Officer at HOLT CAT. “If there’s an idea that comes along, you better jump on it. Somebody else can get those same concepts and ideas much faster than it takes you to create and get your IP signed off on and through the regulatory process.” The UNI Metal Casting Center researches and tests new technologies in the metal casting industry and deals with intellectual property regularly. They operate with the goal of linking university-grade research, resources and students to private sector applications. And while they do bring in some revenue through patented innovations, the large

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are helping the industry solve problems, and that far outweighs any benefit you get from monetary fashions,” he said. “By us patenting this technology, we can help small-to-medium-sized manufacturers without them absorbing much in costs.” For those looking for some take-home tips on how to deal with intellectual property and innovation, Petratis recommends adding IP reviews to your occasional leadership meetings. At Allegion, there was a full-time team dedicated to helping develop and protect IP, keeping the topic at the forefront of important conversations, which is crucial to long-term success. “Take the time on your leadership agendas to put yourself in a future state, look ahead,” Petratis said. “You should have processes and systems that help protect those investments. When you’re looking at investments for the future, intellectual properties must be protected. And if you’re going to be a good steward of these assets, for any size company, you have to be managing those IPs, or it will erode your success over the long term.”

DAVID PETRATIS Chair of the Board, MasterBrand, Inc.

JOYCE PINGEL

President, Epiphany & Chief Innovation Officer, HOLT CAT

JERRY THIEL

Director of the UNI Metal Casting Center

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majority of their work is provided to companies for free. Jerry Thiel, director of the UNI Metal Casting Center, said there is a team of five full-time technical staff that focus on research and development. But everyone in the organization, about 25 people, is expected to contribute as well. “When we work with so many companies in so many different materials in so many different applications, you’re bound to be exposed to a wide variety of technologies and information,” Thiel said. “That drives our ability to innovate, to put things together in ways that nobody has before.” Because the organization operates within a public university, Thiel sees its role as being a partner for the metal casting industry. That’s also how he views the intellectual property they create. He jokes that all of the intellectual property he and the organization have created over the past three decades has made them “hundred-aires, not millionaires.” “More importantly, the technologies we’ve developed

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FAMILY BUSINESS EDUCATION CONTINUES TO EXPAND AT UNI

The Family Business Center at the University of Northern Iowa is a one-of-a-kind offering at the collegiate level. Not only does it have training and resources for family businesses, but it also connects these businesses to share best practices among each other. This is essential in Iowa, where family firms make up roughly 80% of Iowa’s economy. One of the newest offerings at the Family Business Center is a family business management class dedicated to learning about the intricacies of family businesses. Offered for dual credits in the management and marketing and entrepreneurship departments, the course covers what it’s like to run or work for a family company, what makes them unique, and how decision-making processes may differ from traditional companies. To add a real-world

perspective, family businesses from around the community come into class and share their stories and tips with students. “I’ve been most excited to see our students get to interact with family business owner-operators,” said Dan Beenken, director of the Family Business Center. “I think any time that students get a taste of what’s happening outside the classroom while they are in the classroom is dynamite. It’s a great opportunity for them to take away things to use in their own careers or businesses.” Georgia Beth Arevalo (Management, ‘23) is taking what she’s learning in the class and using it for her own family business, Don Gomez Mexican Grilled Chicken, which is slated to open in early 2024. Located next to Pizza Ranch on University Avenue, the restaurant will feature dishes with chicken cooked and coated in a special Mexican-inspired marinade. Arevalo says this will be the first restaurant of its type in the Cedar Valley. Arevalo, who will be running the restaurant as manager, is working with her husband, brother-in-law and mother to open the business, which is why she’s finding the family business management course so valuable. “Because I have experience working in a family business and starting one of my own, I wanted more education on it,” she said. “The most valuable thing has been learning how to have open

communication with your family. We learned from guest speakers to set clear roles for family members

“The most valuable thing has been learning how to have open communication with your family. We learned from guest speakers to set clear roles for family members to help reduce conflict.” to help reduce conflict.” The course is just one of the many expansions the center has made in recent years. As the only recognized family business center in the state, the program has worked with many businesses and hosted three Iowa Family Business Conferences. They also offer digital resources, along with virtual events and peer groups to connect business families from all four corners of the state and beyond. Beenken hopes the expanded offerings will raise the center’s standing on a state and national level. For anyone operating, working for, or planning to own a family business, this truly is a one-stop shop for resources and training. “I hope our families and perspective students will get a better understanding of UNI as an expert in family businesses,” Beenken said. “As families think about their succession plans or where to send kids to college, we hope they’re thinking about our program and our undergraduate class.”

Scan here to learn more about the Family Business Management course.

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UNI student Savannah Warren launches coffee, acai shop in downtown Waterloo

“It’s crazy to think that I started with just an idea for a business, and then the JPEC helped me bring it to fruition, then grow that company enough to sell and start another one.”

Savvy Bean features all kinds of coffee concoctions and acai bowls. One is called the Ube Latte, which uses sweet potato flavoring and a touch of vanilla to make a sweet-tasting, bright-purple drink. Another is whiskey amaretto, modeled after the popular cocktail. “Our goal is to just kind of change things and breathe some new life into downtown Waterloo and change the way people think about coffee and acai bowls,” Warren said. “Coffee isn’t just one single thing. It can be so many different creations.” UNI and the John Pappajohn Entreprenurial Center have been integral parts of the process. Warren said JPEC staff have been particularly helpful in solving some of the little things, like taxes, keeping track of paperwork and bookkeeping. When Warren launched Sav’s Syrups, the JPEC helped her find solutions for packaging, leveraging vacuum-sealed pouches, a more sustainable choice that locks in flavor. “The professors at UNI really change the way you think about business,” Warren said. “And the JPEC really helps. It gives you a space to talk with other entrepreneurs and bounce ideas off. I also can participate in pitch competitions that get me out of my comfort zone.” Warren added: “It’s crazy to think that I started with just an idea for a business, and then the JPEC helped me bring it to fruition,

Photos by Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

then grow that company enough to sell and start another one.” Warren said it’s been so far, so good for the Savvy Bean. There’s been an adjustment period to working in retail. Previously Warren could work on the business whenever she had time, but now there are set, consistent hours. In the first few months after opening, she worked most days. She’s now leaning more on her employees. The community has embraced the business and the crazy flavor creations. “Waterloo is amazing, and it has really exceeded my expectations,” Warren said. For those thinking of launching a business in college, Warren said go for it, and embrace the help from the JPEC. The staff can give you the tools you need to find success. “I feel like it’s exciting to be a college student and an entrepreneur,” Warren said. “UNI gives you the opportunities to meet people and opens doors for you.”

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Savannah Warren (Management, ‘23) has always been someone who likes to pave her own way, going so far as to call herself a little bit rebellious. She also isn’t one to sit idle when she has free time. “So why not build something?” she said with a laugh. These two traits have fueled her desire to become an entrepreneur, even as a 20-year-old, full-time college student at the Wilson College of Business. Warren opened a retail coffee bar and acai bowl spot in downtown Waterloo this spring, called the Savvy Bean. It’s the second business she’s launched. Her first was called Sav’s Syrups, which specialized in hand-crafted and health-conscious flavored syrups. Warren recently sold the company but still uses some of the syrups in her coffee creations. She first became interested in coffee after working as a barista in high school. She infuses curiosity into her menu items. Located at 218 E. Fourth St., the

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PODCAST TELLS THE STORY ABOUT UNI’S BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

WILSON 2023-2024

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW!

The University of Northern Iowa’s Business and Community Services, a division of Wilson College, is a collection of 12 outreach programs designed to help businesses throughout Iowa. They all provide a variety of crucial services to the state. To better understand and connect these programs internally and externally, BCS launched the “Building a Better Iowa Podcast” last March, showcasing the people and stories around the organization. So far, the podcast has been a hit, featuring two seasons. Episodes, which span about 20 to 25 min., feature a few people from each program, giving them opportunities to speak about program history, background and difference services. The newest season focused solely on individual series within BCS, like the Iowa Family Business Conference or food waste reduction efforts. “We wanted to build a collective podcast that would give the center an ability to tell our own stories in a low-pressure way,” said Patrick Luensmann, director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. He is also a creator of the podcast and frequent host. “This can be a tool for our internal and external partners to really inform and broaden the reach of each program, and in a trendy sort of way. Everybody’s got a podcast, and everybody listens to podcasts.”

Katie Kreis-Voigt, communications and marketing coordinator for BCS, has her own podcast, which allowed her to jump right in and help launch this new show. Sometimes the guests need a little coaching, which Kreis and Luensmann can provide. The show can also be used in multiple ways beyond the podcast, like audio snippets, newsletter features and more. Another cool fact: The podcast is recorded in the audio space in the new JPEC offices in the BCS building. “I think everyone has been really excited,” Luensmann said. “In a world that’s saturated by messages, here’s a small corner where we can bring on people for 15 minutes and be able to get across a pretty well-pointed story and showcase personalities.” The next step for Kreis, Luensmann and team is to create a third season and dive deeper into the different stories and clients BCS services across all its programs. “I think we’ll keep going and pursuing this model of highlighting the specific programs,” Kreis said. “Then we’ll want to talk about specific stories to put the shows through a different lens and showcasing all our different clients. So that could be a specific client interaction, a student business or a family business. Just get that personal touch we don’t get to share all the time because we are working with our clients.”

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The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) is dedicated to enhancing the environmental sustainability of Iowa’s brewing industry through its Iowa Green Brewery Certification program. Participating breweries voluntarily undergo assessments to help them adopt sustainable practices. What makes this program unique is that it’s a free service supporting small businesses in Iowa. “The primary goal of the Iowa Green Brewery Certification is simple – to make Iowa’s brewing industry more environmentally friendly and reduce its impact on the planet,” said Joe Bolick, IWRC director. “The certification program focuses on four overarching areas: environmental management and record-keeping, water quality and conservation, overall waste reduction and energy efficiency.” Breweries voluntarily undergo audits and checklist assessments, examining everything from documentation and standardized operating procedures to HVAC maintenance and waste management. The meticulous process helps breweries adopt sustainable practices, such as capturing heat for reuse, recycling wastewater, and minimizing their overall resource footprint. The comprehensive approach is particularly vital given the resource-intensive nature of brewing and associated costs. Upon completion of the assessments, breweries receive a score out of 100, with designations ranging from Bronze to

Platinum. The recommendations report provided by IWRC encourages continuous improvement, where breweries are supported in implementing changes to enhance their financial and environmental sustainability efforts. The impact is tangible. Big Grove Brewery proudly became the first to display the Iowa Green Brewery Certification logo on its cans, signaling a commitment to sustainability. Similarly, SingleSpeed Brewing demonstrated its commitment when establishing its Waterloo location, aiming for Platinum status in its pursuit of environmentally responsible practices. Since its inception seven years ago, the program has grown exponentially. Four breweries have achieved the coveted Platinum status, with a total of 34 breweries earning certification. Currently, the IWRC is working on certifying another half-dozen breweries and even extending its reach to its first cidery. The program is a testament to the industry’s collective commitment to sustainable practices. What sets the Iowa Green Brewery Certification apart is its commitment to being a free service. The IWRC has witnessed the industry boom from 40 breweries at the program’s inception to a staggering 120 breweries in Iowa today. The program has become an integral part of the industry’s growth, offering assistance and guidance

at a time when environmental impact is increasingly crucial. The IWRC is a pioneer in conducting in-person, third-party audits rather than relying on regulatory bodies. Beyond Iowa’s borders, other states, including Massachusetts and Tennessee, are taking notice and are working on adopting a similar program. Many businesses shy away from reaching out to regulators, making the IWRC’s approach both unique and effective, indicated Bolick. The success of Iowa Green Brewery Certification is a symbol of commitment to a greener future by the entire industry across the state. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when industry players and environmental stewards join forces to make a positive impact.

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BREWING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

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// PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS

INNOVATION IN BUSINESS: THE ROLE OF INTEGRITY In terms of taking risks, one of the dimensions of my favorite leadership style, transformational leadership, is that of intellectual stimulation, which occurs when leaders trust their staff enough to give them the ability to challenge the status quo and question why things are done a certain way. Not all leaders are comfortable taking this risk, but the biggest impact from this dimension is that it leads to more creativity, which leads to more innovation, which leads to more continuous improvement – all things that can reflect integrity and very positively impact a company’s financial bottom line. As for failure, one of my favorite videos, which I show in my Leadership Skills class, shows how several very successful people (such as Michael Jordan, Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Edison) all suffered epic failure in their lives. The video concludes with the quote, “if you haven’t failed, you haven’t lived.” It’s okay to fail and we ALL make mistakes… lots of them, unfortunately… but that is what gives us the opportunity to learn, demonstrate resilience, and bounce back even better. Is leadership easy? Is innovation easy? Is integrity easy? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding “no” to all three of those questions. However, combining innovation with integrity will lead to more passion as we strive to be the leaders we want to become. We can all do better and be better. The choice is yours.

RUSSELL P. GUAY, PhD Professor of Management and David W. Wilson Chair in Business Ethics

Former students, alumni, peers and community members, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to reach out anytime on LinkedIn or via email (russell.guay@uni.edu).

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not imply endorsement by the University of Northern Iowa.

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It is no secret that leadership is increasingly difficult in today’s constantly evolving world. To be successful, it is critical for leaders to be open to new ideas, willing to take risks and even be willing to fail. Some leaders, though, take shortcuts when trying to be innovative to stay ahead of their competition as evidenced by the large number of scandals we continue to see in all avenues of life. This begs the question of whether innovation and integrity can co-exist. The numerous definitions of “integrity” include words such as morals, honesty, ethics, values, truthfulness, dependability, loyalty, respect, trustworthy, reliable and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Those with high levels of integrity are willing to hold themselves accountable and take responsibility for their actions. We all care about our reputations and know that while they take a lifetime to build, they can potentially be destroyed with one bad decision in a matter of minutes. None of us has all the answers or perfect ideas. As we seek to innovate, we need to be open to perspectives from those around us who might have more knowledge, more experience, or just a unique idea we have never considered. This might be difficult for those with a low propensity to trust who are “wired” not to trust anyone until they feel someone has earned that level of trust. However, if we have integrity and show that we trust those around us, those people will come to trust that we will make the right decisions for them as well.

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INNOVATING RESPONSIBLY:

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The Role of Ethics in Business Innovation

Innovation is happening at a never-before-seen pace. While there’s a rush toward something new and exciting, the role of ethics in the decision-making process can take a back seat and be undervalued, leaving businesses open to risk. Just think of the last time you’ve heard of a business in the news or going viral on social media for an unethical practice. It likely wasn’t long ago. Information can spread like wildfire, and unethical behavior can tarnish a company’s reputation within minutes. According to a recent Accenture study, more than 60% of customers say their purchasing decisions are driven by a company’s ethical values and authenticity. Robert Earle, professor of philosphy and David W. Wilson Ethics Fellow, believes ethics and innovation must be inseparable. “You can get caught up in doing something new and there’s so

much potential, and you can veer on the side of optimism about the positive outcomes,” Earle said. “But ethical assets take time, to look at the affected stakeholders and potential negative outcomes, to bring people into the discussion.” Businesses have a wide range of ethical factors to consider when undergoing innovation. “Stakeholders” is a broad term, but it includes customers, employees, people who live near production centers, or even non-human things, like the environment or a country. In his teaching, Earle encourages students to think through what responsibility companies have to those stakeholders and society at large, simulating the thought process innovators and business leaders need to go through when creating a new product or service. Ethics needs to be built into the culture of the company for the company to be effective in practice.

Kelly Noll, (Management, ‘78), former Chief Ethics, Compliance & Privacy Officer for Allstate Insurance, said he was ultimately in charge of the ethical conduct of the organization. Allstate had an umbrella of behaviors and values all employees, regardless of roles or location, were expected to abide by. Of course, there were more values to consider depending on employee roles and the country’s customs and laws. “You’ve got to make sure that people are thoughtful about innovation,” Noll said. “You don’t want ethics to get in the way, but you have to make sure it’s part of the conversation as products and services are being innovated and people are doing things differently than what they used to do before.” During Noll’s tenure at Allstate, leaders would pull together a group of employees who understood, or would be

// PERSPECTIVES ON ETHICS

BUSINESS ETHICS

innovation

and remained transparent about their decision-making process about whether to move people into different roles or offer generous severance packages. “Ethics really played a huge role while we were developing technology, rolling it out and when it affected our employees,” Noll said. “We wanted to treat our people like we were treating our customers.” Oftentimes, there’s no one right path to take. Earle described there can be multiple right ways to reach multiple correct answers. Ethics can be murky. But conversations about ethics, doing right by stakeholders and making it a priority to be as ethical as possible are important steps in doing the right thing while innovating as a business. “The mindsets and virtues we develop in the process are equally important to the ultimate decisions we make,” Earle said.

KELLY NOLL

Former Chief Ethics, Compliance & Privacy Officer, Allstate

ROBERT EARLE

David W. Wilson Ethics Fellow

WILSON 2023-2024

affected by, the innovation when new products or services were being developed. The goal was to discuss potential unintended consequences, and the compliance team played a heavy role because of the strong regulation around the insurance industry. “It was a forum where you could brainstorm and bring up issues and concerns,” Noll said. “The last thing you want is to roll out something new and find out it violates a regulation or practice. The idea was you didn’t want to necessarily get in someone’s way, but you wanted to make sure they had information to consider as they build products and services.” When Allstate moved toward streamlining its claims technology through a mobile app and centralized claim centers, the company realized it didn’t need as many physical claims locations as it had in the past. Leadership worked with claims’ employees

ethics

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W ELCOMING OUR NEWEST

ALUMNI

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It is with great pleasure that we welcome the graduating classes of summer 2022 through the summer of 2023 to the Wilson College alumni family.

ACCOUNTING Elijah Anderson Aaron Bartels Andrew Basquin Grace Bengtson Dana Boesen Caroline Bradley Carter Briggs Madeleine Collins Jacob Conlon Grace Culley Jennifer Curtis Haley Dash Taryn Davis Tyler Decker Emily Dennis Rebecca Edwards Andrew Evans Luke Evans Levi Ferguson Elise Franich Aaron Haines Joshua Halverson Brevin Hansen Bryce Hasselmann Alex Heiman Rachel Heitz Abby Hendrickson Cassie Hermsen Jacqueline Hicks Andrew Hilgendorf Alma Hodzic Levi Hoffman Carter Hovey Reece Huen Nolan Ingle Esha Jayswal Lauren Kass Lucas Kerndt James Knight Alexander Knipp Mclay Lampe Zackary Lane Nicholas Leopold

Clarence Linke V Peter Liu Tyler Lode Matthew Longlett Saxon Lyman Hannah Malm Rylee Melsha Katelyn Mielke Jaxon Miller Seth Miller Devin Neitzel Adam OConnor Preston Olson Kathleen Parrish Jacob Phillips Adarsh Manosh Pillai Alexander Pries Sydney Rhea Hailey Rice Collin Runyan Paul Ryan Lucas Samuelson Alyssa Sayre Sarah Semini Dayton Smith Sydney Steffen Trevor Stevenson Andrew Straube Erica Sturm Lydia Taylor Lauren Thomson Anthony Villela Cameron Voss Caleb Wagner Shiwei Wang Seth Weiland Jenna Wilhelmi Grant Wulfsen BUSINESS ANALYTICS Abdel Al Samadi Erica Block Connor Christiansen

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BUSINESS TEACHING Taelor Derrickson Rylee Gehlsen Olivia Kruse Colin Mulford Caleb Rheingans Mackenzie Trinkle ECONOMICS McGuire Adams Sydney Arens Cassidy Bohr Corbin Cline Mason Elsbernd Jared Foster Drew Horst Esha Jayswal Jacob Jensen

Andee Joos Makenna Koch Tyler Majeres Rylan Marco Danielle McCombs Jacob McGrane Marissa McNally Tristen Prouse Taranjeet Rishi Inga Rotto Steven Strickler Emma Villhauer-Bundt Yilin Zhang FINANCE McGuire Adams Sydney Arens Carter Backhaus Aaron Bartels Andrew Basquin Grace Bengtson Casandra Berglund Chase Blasi Erica Block Tanner Bradfield Gregory Brandt Keegan Brayton Carter Briggs Camden Butterbaugh Dylan Carroll Zaccary Chance Carolyn Conlon Logan Craig Oscar Cruz Diaz Spencer Cuvelier Robert Davies Joshua Decker Emma Duehr Alyx Ede Mason Elsbernd Andrew Evans Morgan Fargo Levi Ferguson Chandler Fiscella

Will Foley Maleah Ford-Mehaffy Ryan Green Zequn Guan Jose Guzman Mikayla Hageman Aaron Haines Joshua Halverson Isaac Hanson Nathan Harban Carter Hartman Bryce Hasselmann Lauren Hauser Rachel Hawkins Abby Hendrickson Zachary Hereid Cassie Hermsen Dustin Hocken Alma Hodzic Drew Horst Cole Hoskins Ian Huber Tanner Jones Andee Joos Lauren Kass Kelly Keenan Sayyam Khan James Knight Makenna Koch Derek Krogmann Xukai Liu Matthew Longlett Levi Lukes Tyler Majeres Kate Manternach Rylan Marco Christopher McAleer Joshua McDermott Peyton McMurray Jaxon Miller Jesina Minger Tyler Moran Craig Moritz Bryce Murray

Bryce Murray Noah Neff Masen Norem Casey Noska Luka Novick Kyle Oberbroeckling Preston Olson Aricka Oppman Jared Payne Collin Perry Zachary Person Jacob Phillips Quaid Pinkerton Mitchell Pregler Alexander Pries Brennan Radke Alejandro Reynolds Grant Rickertsen Drew Rosonke Paul Ryan Nicholas Saak Luis Salas-Gaitan Jacob Sapp Claire Schettler Roman Schmit Jackson Schnabel Will Schroeder Korbin Seth Colton Spillman Hayden Stedman Sydney Steffen Matthew Sternhagen Nathan Struve Erica Sturm Ahren Teed Joshua Ternus Reece Thurmond Tyler Tice Madison Tinkham-Kruser Macy Vance Taylor VanErsvelde Seth Vaske Luke Velky Shane Vokaty WILSON 2023-2024

Charles Cooling Durga Dulal Chase Eiklenborg Nathan Ettleman David Fecik Elise Franich Ethan Graham Brevin Hansen Sydney Householder Carter Hovey Paige Kane Zachary Kozak Cole Luck Collin Luck Jessica Lueken Danielle McCombs Lucas Otting Adarsh Manosh Pillai Mitchell Pregler Alyssa Sayre Andrew Shutt Macy Vance Shiwei Wang Cole Werling

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Keenan Volz Jace VonSprecken Caleb Wagner Jackson Walter William Wilkens Adrian Wurtz Sara Zaiser Raquel Zehr

WILSON 2023-2024

MANAGEMENT Alondra Aceves Alexander Allen Samantha Alphs Bailey Andersen Bailey Ashton Heidi Bantz Jayde Barto Matthew Beals Blake Becker Maddalena Bennett Brianna Berthiaume Olivia Blosch Connor Booth Jordan Brandow Kyle Brustkern Mitchell Burlage Nathan Bushbaum Jasmine Carter Audrey Casperson Vaughn Coleman Joseph Coyle Emma De Jong Rebecca Edwards Caden Felts Austin Flugum Maleah Ford-Mehaffy Xinyue Fu Ryan Green Megan Gunderson Lindy Harris Wesley Heinz Emily Hemann Nathan Hempel Eric Henry William Hernandez

Jalen Hildebrand Paige Holub Sydney Householder Carsen Johnson Kaylen Johnson Isaac Jorgensen Max Klieman Haylee Knudsen Kade Koops Jacob Kozak Madison Kraemer Lillie Kramer Connor Lafrenz Isabel Leichtman Levi Lukes Juliette Mackey John McConkey Clayton McCoy Reid McFarland Emma McKinstry Marissa McNally Holly Mescher Katelyn Mielke Jesina Minger Breann Minikus Madeline Moorman Thaissa Moreira Hailey Morse Noah Mumby Isabelle Navarra Whitanie Nederhoff Chloe Neighbor Justin Nemec An Nguyen Eve Oromo Tyler Parks Brynn Parks Jared Payne William Polansky Lauren Raddatz Tracer Rankin Megan Rausch Alec Rentschler Madison Rollinger Jared Salisbury

Jacob Sapp Shaunna Scheitler Mia Schemmel Dylan Schueler Crane Samuel Seedorff Emily Seliga Chloe Shephard Jack Skudlarczyk Macey Spilman Mason Stainbrook Jimmie Steffens Mason Stortz Nicole Thies Trevor Thurm Mason Tierney Allison Vetter Lauryn Wagner Lydia Walter Jace Watrous Faroz Waziri Katelyn White Seth Williamson Matthew Wittstock Clayton Wright MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS Caroline Bradley Janik Chally Cody Chambers Adam Daniel Robert Davies Matthew Farrell Levi Hoffman Reed Jensen Alexander Knipp Mikias Teferi MARKETING Spencer Adams Kendra Alcott Hussain Alrbeh Kamryn Arguello Dillon Arndt

Payton Bahl Jayde Barto Alzahraa Bazroon Alyssa Bigger Olivia Blosch Brady Bock Jordan Brandow Mariana Calderon Quiroz Erin Carew Mason Cleveland Vaughn Coleman Charles Cooling Katelyn DeKoster Chase Eiklenborg Caden Felts William Finn Gable Fox Caroline Francis Mckenzie Garman Sarah Gastineau Mitchell Halloran Blake Helle Zachary Hereid David Holesinger Paige Holub Samuel Jochum Connor Johnson Grace Juhl Kiley Kime Madison Kraemer Mclay Lampe Nathanial Lange Alec Lechner Brandon Maitland Hana Malik Lauren McClatchey John McConkey Elise Miller Thaissa Moreira Chloe Neighbor Johnathan O’Connor Caden Pedelty Carter Pennings Nicholas Peterson William Polansky

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REAL ESTATE Gregory Brandt Camden Butterbaugh Dylan Carroll Carolyn Conlon Logan Craig Spencer Cuvelier Joshua Decker Emma Duehr Mason Elsbernd Gabrielle Garman Grant Guinan Mikayla Hageman Isaac Hanson Tanner Jones Derek Krogmann Christopher McAleer Tyler Moran Noah Neff Casey Noska Aricka Oppman Melissa Pearce Grant Rickertsen

Drew Rosonke Luis Salas-Gaitan Roman Schmit Jackson Schnabel Will Schroeder Korbin Seth Nathan Struve Ahren Teed Joshua Ternus Tyler Tice Taylor VanErsvelde Luke Velky Shane Vokaty Keenan Volz Adrian Wurtz SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Devin Baker Colton Barker Blake Becker Cassidy Bohr Jordan Brandow Colby Brown Nathan Bushbaum Kai Chen Ashley Costello Nathan Ettleman Paxton Felderman Blake Helle Maximillian Hosier Paige Kane Abigail Kuennen Cory LaBarge Collin Linden Jessica Lueken Tyler Majeres Kate Manternach Cameron Miller Seth Miller Anes Nusinovic Alexander Opoku-Brenyah Brendan Parisot Logan Rottinghaus Vincent Royal

Adeline Schneider Samuel Seedorff Gavin Smith Kurt Stadtmueller Trevor Thurm MAcc Jennifer Curtis Hannah Dash Luke Delap Thomas Digmann Lauryn Embleton Nathan Funke Kyle Kisling Derek Koppes Derek LaBarge Saxon Lyman Jared Marshall Devin Neitzel Sydney Rhea Gage Schmidt Brianna Smith Lauren Thomson Jenna Wilhelmi MBA Madiha Ahsan Ali Alrubeh Ali Bai Cheick Bally Karla Bekavac Noman Ikram Ho Wai Koeman Lam WEN-SHAN LIN Tsz Kiu Liu Xiaoyang Liu Yuqi Yang Changyuan Yu Jing Zhang

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Mia Rampton Megan Rausch Keegan Reints Joseph Rhomberg Gage Rossing David Ryan Nicholas Savage Shaunna Scheitler Claire Schettler Sydney Schmidt Madison Schoppe Tyler Starbeck Jimmie Steffens Carson Struchen Madison TenHulzen Rylie Van Ersvelde Lydia Walter Samuel Wilkinson Paige Wolf Bryan Woodall Tanner Wright

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Top-ranked accounting program expands with hybrid delivery option in Des Moines

The Wilson College of Business has expanded its Bachelor of Arts in Accounting program to include a hybrid – online and in-person – delivery option for students in the Greater Des Moines metropolitan area. The hybrid delivery model offers the convenience of online business-core and elective courses with in-person evening accounting courses on the Des Moines Area Community College’s (DMACC) Urban campus. Classes began in August 2023. The program is proudly supported by KPMG LLP, the Big Four tax, audit and advisory firm, as well as several other corporate and private donors. The program gives Des Moines-based learners with an associate’s degree the opportunity to enhance their professional competence with the skills to collect, analyze and interpret financial data, create informative financial reports, influence critical business decisions, and keep an organization’s finances in check. For those who have already earned an AA or AAS degree, completing a BA degree in Accounting opens up an even wider range of job opportunities. The BA degree allows an individual to take professional exams such as the Certified Management Accountant or IRS Enrolled Agent.

The Des Moines metro area has seen a growing shortage of accounting professionals. In the past year, posted positions for accounting graduates with a bachelor’s degree outnumbered the applicants by over 6 to 1. “UNI’s accounting program is regarded as one of the top programs in the country, and I’m excited to continue that reputation in Des Moines and help more individuals advance their accounting careers,” said Joe Ugrin, department head of accounting. “We’ve continually been featured in Accounting Today for the success of our accounting program, and because of that reputation and the dedication and support by our faculty and staff, our graduates are highly sought after by employers. This program will offer a unique blend of high quality, accessibility and affordability.” Greg Engel, Vice Chair – Tax, at KPMG explained, “While the accounting shortage is real and pervasive across all markets, we’re collectively making

tangible progress to remedy the problem. Hybrid programs for professionals with associate degrees, like what UNI is offering, mark an important step forward by bringing in candidates through less traditional pathways. We need more of this ‘outside the box’ approach to hiring, including an enhanced focus on DEI candidates and those with more of a tech-first lens to accounting.” As part of UNI’s commitment to adult learners, those who enroll in the program may be eligible for financial assistance. Those who meet the income and academic eligibility criteria after completing a FAFSA will receive a scholarship that covers the difference between community college and UNI tuition through the Future Ready Scholarship program. Additional scholarship support has been provided by Mark (Accounting, ‘79) and Jill (Management, ‘85) Oman. The generous $94,000 gift from these Greater Des Moines residents has provided more financial ac-

“UNI’s accounting program is regarded as one of the top programs in the country, and I’m excited to continue that reputation in Des Moines and help more individuals advance their accounting careers.”

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Omans create scholarship to benefit students

cessibility and opportunities for students enrolled in the program. The Omans have been proud supporters of the UNI@DMACC partnership, which seeks to provide new affordable pathways for place-bound learners. Mark Oman, managing director of Oman Capital, is a first-generation college student who is committed to helping others receive the same benefits that a bachelor’s degree provided him. In the pursuit of delivering an exceptional educational experience to students regardless of their physical location, UNI has recognized the vital role that student support plays in fostering academic success and personal growth including personal tutoring and student engagement and networking activities. With the invaluable support of EMC Insurance Companies, the university has been able to bolster its commitment to providing these crucial student support services in a hybrid delivery environment. “Even though these students are in a different location, we want to give them the same type of experience that they would have if they were in Cedar Falls,” Ugrin said. “And tutoring and engagement activities are two of the biggest elements that have helped our learners become successful.”

EMC Insurance’s support increases student success

Hybrid accounting students react to first-semester

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Big Four accounting firm KPMG LLP backs program

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CODING FOR THE NFL: ONE UNI ALUM’S DATA SCIENCE JOB TAKES HIM TO THE SUPER BOWL

As a child, Aaron Dzaboff (Economics, Finance, ‘18) dreamed of playing in the National Football League. While the dream may not have panned out, he has still managed to find himself employed by a professional football team — not as an athlete but as a data scientist. In his role with the Strategy, Finance and Analytics Department for the Kansas City Chiefs, Dzaboff explained he uses a combination of data engineering, analysis and a lot of coding to help the organization make better business decisions. “My job allows me to keep my nose in the keyboard and create insights that are helping other people within the business,” he said. While he may not be playing on the field, Dzaboff has still found himself close to the action on game days, cheering on his team as he gets to attend all the Chiefs’ home games. Dzaboff grew up in northeast Iowa in a town called Earlville. He graduated from Maquoketa Valley High School in Delhi, Iowa, and chose to attend UNI in part because of the good experiences his friends had at the university. “Something I feel is unique about UNI is the personalization,” he said. “I always felt like someone was there to be supportive and talk to me. I really enjoyed my professors who made

me feel like they cared about my education, and now that I’m out and about talking to other people about their undergraduate experiences, I know not everyone has that same experience.” Without his experiences at UNI, he may never have learned the power of analytics. “I had a class called econometrics with Dr. Imam Alam, and that was the first time I started learning about analytics,” said Dzaboff. “I thought he did an excellent job explaining to us how businesses and companies were using the skills we were learning in class. It made me curious about how sports teams were using analytics. That’s what got me started on this path.” Dzaboff completed two internships that merged his love of sports and his love for analytics. The first was a remote internship with Edge10 Group, a software company that measures sports performance, and the second was with the Indiana Pacers. After his second internship, Dzaboff began applying for full-time positions. While he applied to some that had nothing to do with sports, he admits his heart wasn’t in those applications. Interning with the Pacers had affirmed he wanted to work in sports. Luckily, his old boss from the Pacers reached out to let him know about the opportunity

with the Chiefs. Not long after, Dzaboff moved to Kansas City to start the position. While Dzaboff said he is happy to spend most days glued to his keyboard, he is excited about some of the other perks his job gives him, including attending the Super Bowl. While over 113 million people around the world tuned into Super Bowl LVII, it was an even bigger event for Dzaboff, who was able to attend the NFL’s championship game at State Farm Stadium. There he watched his employer, the Kansas City Chiefs, win their second World Championship in four years. Not only was he able to be in Glendale, Arizona for the game, Dzaboff continued the celebration as it returned to Kansas City. “It was an absolutely insane week,” he said.

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When Wesley Clark (Accounting and Finance, ‘24) sat down to take his Excel certification exam as part of the Introduction to Information Systems course at the Wilson College of Business, he had no idea the path it would send him down. He had prior experience with Excel in previous internships, so he was proficient, but when he received an email a few months later indicating he was chosen to compete at Certiport’s 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Orlando, he was shocked. “Honestly, the first thing I did was check who the email was from. I thought it was spam. I had no clue what it was talking about,” Clark said with a laugh. But when Betsy Ratchford, instructor of management information systems, confirmed it in a follow-up email, he realized it was real. “Then I realized what a cool opportunity this was, and it was a great experience.” Turns out, Clark scored 975 out of 1,000 points, and that earned him a ticket to the national competition this past June. He competed against students from all over the country in a battle of Excel wits to earn scholarships, prizes, trophies, certificates and an all-expenses-paid trip to the international championship. While Clark didn’t place in the top

3, he gained valuable experience and added a nice accolade on his resume and LinkedIn profile. “In the two interviews I had after the competition, they both asked about it,” Clark said. “So it was an instant talking piece, and it draws their eyes right away.” There were also activities outside of the competition, like attending Disney Springs, or eating dinner with other competitors to network. At the award ceremony, every student was named, called up to the stage, then grouped by which state they were from. They called it the “Parade of Champions.” Ratchford also attended, participating in sessions for the educators and learning about various types of program certifications. Since returning, she has already started looking into adding some of those certifications into her courses and the program. “This was such a great opportunity for him, and we’re very proud of him for representing us in such a neat competition,” Ratchford said. “They really make you feel special when you’re there, and Microsoft makes this a big production to make the students and faculty feel special.” Gaining hard skills is a priority at the Wilson College of Business. Not only are courses on Excel and other programs offered through the Professional Readiness

Program™ – some of which are required for business students to take – but they are often intertwined with regular coursework, as was the case for Clark and Introduction to Information Systems. All students who take the class are required to take the associate-level Excel exam, which tests students in basic and some advanced Excel functions. Ratchford said employer demand for graduates with Excel skills is why the college places such an emphasis on providing opportunities to learn the program. “We’ve learned over time that Excel is one of the top two skills necessary in entry-level business positions, regardless of major,” Ratchford said. “So we thought giving them this opportunity to take the exam wouldn’t just be beneficial to employers, but also to the employees who are ready for business at graduating.”

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UNI STUDENT WESLEY CLARK COMPETES AT NATIONAL MICROSOFT EXCEL COMPETITION

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UNI graduate makes history becoming youngest ever to pass CFP exam

Jared Winkers (Finance, ‘21) is curious about everything, but from a young age, he’s always been fascinated by financial planning. Just how fascinated? At just 14 years old, he spent his free time calling and meeting with financial planners in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, just to get a taste of what the industry was like. “I just asked if they had 30 minutes, or an hour, to meet so I could learn about them and what they do,” said Winkers, who grew up in Dunkerton, Iowa, a small town 20 minutes away from Cedar Falls. By the time he turned 16, he had already reached out to Wilson College of Business instructor Steve Yerkes and asked him a few questions – or maybe several dozen. That curiosity has served Winkers well and helped him become one of the youngest people in Iowa to pass the Certified Financial Planning exam, which is the standard in the financial planning industry, in 2022. About 10% of CFPs are under 30 years old. Winkers was just 20 when he passed the exam and 21 when he officially earned the designation. “I think financial planning is where the coolest and most complex problems are,” Winkers said about what interested him in the career. “I’ve always been used to being young in my field. In college, I was in advanced classes for my age, and I worked at a bank when I was 18, so I love being young and working

with experienced people in an established industry.” Winkers said the Wilson College of Business was a huge foundational piece in his journey—particularly Yerkes and his financial planning courses as well as the academic advising office. Winkers was also active in the UNI Panther Fund, an investment portfolio entirely managed by student volunteers. The Wilson College of Business offers a personal planning track for students looking to become CFPs. Similar to the CPA accounting track, the Personal Wealth Management emphasis within the Finance major helps students attain proficiency in financial planning while learning the skills necessary to pass the CFP exam. Yerkes teaches many classes in that track, and he recognized right away that Winkers was ambitious. Winkers finished college in just two years. “He just loves financial planning,” Yerkes said. “He’s so passionate about the topic,

“I would actually learn from him because of the questions he would bring to me. I think he’s going to do, and is doing, huge things in our industry and will be a disrupter.”

and he was so in tune. He asked questions and would email me about topics he researched online early in the morning. I would actually learn from him because of the questions he would bring to me. I think he’s going to do, and is doing, huge things in our industry and will be a disrupter.” Winkers has already made an impact. In 2022, he published an article that found a unique way for families with children under 26 to maximize Health Savings Accounts. Winkers currently works for McGill Junge Wealth Management, a small financial planning agency based in Des Moines, as a financial planning analyst. He’s often the youngest person in client calls, but he quickly proves his worth by building customized financial plans and finding creative solutions for clients. He hopes he can have dozens of clients of his own soon. Right now, he’s working on his master’s degree in financial planning, making as many connections as possible, and letting his work serve as an example. “Being a high-level financial planner, a CFP, is awesome, and it’s important,” Winkers said. “I’ve always thought being young is a benefit, and getting that designation is hard proof that I know what I’m talking about. And when I work with clients, I show them strategies I’ve implemented in the past. So they trust me, and that age difference breaks down.”

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Students from around the globe descended on the University of Northern Iowa campus in March 2023 for an internationally renowned business case competition. And our own students helped make it happen. The sponsoring organization is the Network of International Business Schools (NIBS). During the annual Worldwide Case Competition, participants tackle real-world international business challenges in a best-on-best team tournament. Sixteen schools across 13 different countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Hungary and Finland, all participated in the final rounds held at UNI for the first time in the competition’s history. Several Wilson College of Business students were tasked with planning the event and handling logistics as volunteer ambassadors under the coordination of Chris Schrage, global opportunities coordinator and marketing and entrepreneurship instructor. Ambassadors served as each guest school’s point-of-contact, helping competitors navigate campus and their itineraries. Blake Helle (Supply Chain Management and Marketing, ‘23) served as ambassador coordinator. He oversaw the ambassadors, helping them understand their roles. He took part in the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition as an ambassador in 2022 – held virtually due to COVID-19 – and was excited to experience this in-person version. After all, it’s not every day you get to interact with peers from countries all over the world in one place.

“You see these people from across the world and the presentations they put together, and the quality that comes out of it, it just blows you away,” Helle said. “It was exciting to actually meet with them and network with them in person this year.” Also on the schedule were events outside the classroom meant to showcase life in Iowa and the United States. For example, schools that stayed around until the last day were invited to attend a junior-league hockey game between the Waterloo Black Hawks and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. There was also a midweek karaoke night with pizza in partnership with the UNI Office of International Engagement. Mclay Lampe (Accounting and Marketing, ‘23) was an intern helping to coordinate the competition. He enjoyed participating in some of the informal events during the week. “We had a wide range of recreational activities that are perfect for showcasing the United States and exploring local companies in the area,” he said. “We also did visits in places around campus, so we were able to show off the University of Northern Iowa to all these students.” The competition ended on Friday, March 10, with the semifinals taking place in the morning and the championship round in the afternoon. Teams only had a few hours to assemble their presentations based on real-world cases. Expert judges, including several local professionals, selected Babeș-Bolyai University from Romania as this year’s top finisher.

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UNI WELCOMES STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR BUSINESS COMPETITION

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ALUMNI IN RESIDENCE JANET BLACK (ACCOUNTING ’89) Partner, Deloitte

Janet Black is a partner at Deloitte with over 30 years of experience in Merger and Acquisition, finance, and accounting. She leads integrations, divestitures, and specializes in energy, resources, and industrials. Her experience includes all aspects of managing large programs, focusing on bringing digital capabilities to merger and acquisition.

RYAN HILLESHIEM (ECONOMICS ‘10) Tax Counsel, Chevron

Ryan Hilleshiem is a Tax Counsel for Chevron’s Tax Business Support group in Houston, TX. As a Senior Tax Attorney at Exxon Mobil, he advises on U.S. and international tax planning issues related to the exploration and production of oil and gas, transportation services, and the sale of petroleum products across North, Central and South America.

JODI RICHARDS (FINANCE ’95)

Vice Chair and Chief Risk Officer, US Bancorp Jodi Richard is Vice Chair and Chief Risk Officer at US Bancorp, overseeing all aspects of the company’s risk management activities. She is a member of the company’s Managing Committee and leads operational risk, credit risk, market risk, and compliance. In 2013, she was named one of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking.

JORDAN BUHR (MANAGEMENT ’08) Supply Management Manager, John Deere

Jordan Buhr is a Supply Management Manager at John Deere, leading cost initiatives for flagship tractor products by collaborating with stakeholders and external suppliers. With nearly 17 years of experience, Jordan has held various leadership roles, including Global Commodity Manager, Cost Management Manager, and Continuous Improvement Manager.

MIKE SCHREURS (MARKETING ’69) Chair and Chief Strategist, Strategic America

Mike Schreurs started his career in video production and later founded Carnaby Square and Strategic America, a full-service advertising agency serving clients across North America. He has been recognized for his involvement in the advertising industry and serves on numerous boards, including the National Small Business Association and many others.

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CHAD HADE (MBA ’99)

Director of Capital Markets, LCS Real Estate Chad Hade is the Director of Capital Markets for LCS Real Estate, managing over $3 billion in assets across the US. With over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, he sources, negotiates, and services loans for senior housing assets. Chad focuses on building strong relationships with lender and equity partners to support portfolio growth.

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WOMEN OF BUSINESS HALL OF FAME The Women of Business Hall of Fame event recognizes accomplished and influential women in the business field. Sponsored by the Women in Business student organization, the event celebrates women who have made significant contributions to the business world and their local communities. It serves as both an award and validation for current female students, inspiring them to strive for success in their own careers.

TATUM BUSE (ACCOUNTING, ‘96) Chief Financial Officer at Collins Aerospace Tatum Buse graduated from UNI with a degree in accounting and became the first female CFO at Collins Aerospace where she leads a global finance team of 2,000+. She excels in financial planning, reporting and strategic initiatives. She encourages women and mentees to use their voices, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and decision-making. Tatum’s leadership and determination inspire others.

MICHELLE CLARK (OFFICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, ‘89) Assistant Vice President Enterprise Systems, Union Pacific Railroad Michelle Clark graduated from UNI with a degree in office information systems. Motivated by early exposure to computers, she pursued a business degree. In her technology career, she installed networks, managed teams and achieved her goal of becoming an executive. Michelle’s journey taught her the value of teamwork, empathy and perseverance. She encourages others to be passionate and limitless in their pursuits.

LINDA CORBIN (EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, ‘69) Director Emeritus, Undergraduate Programs, Wilson College of Business Linda Corbin, a dedicated educator, earned a degree in early childhood education from UNI. After teaching, she joined the School of Business, establishing the Academic Advising Office and facilitating program development. She provided assistance to students, managed registrations and fostered partnerships among colleagues. Her advice to young women emphasizes loyalty, professional growth, empathy and accountability.

Ellen Valde is a passionate UNI accounting graduate who discovered her calling after a single class where she was inspired by a local CPA and the “Women in Accounting” brochure. The Accounting Club provided Ellen with a supportive environment along with the compassion of her professors. She lead the assurance practice and became a managing partner at PwC where she thrived for 30 years. Ellen’s career taught her the value of relationships, courage to ask questions and work-life balance.

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ELLEN VALDE (ACCOUNTING, ‘85) Managing Partner, Finance Executive and Board Director, PwC

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WILSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS FACULTY HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS STATE AND UNIVERSITY AWARDS Two Wilson College of Business faculty members were honored this past academic year, recognizing their outstanding professional contributions during their careers.

REGENTS AWARD FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE

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James Mattingly, Associate Professor of Management

James Mattingly earned the Ross A. Nielson Professional Service Award last year, which put him in the running for the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence. He learned he was one of three UNI professors who earned it this fall. The honor, given to those who significantly contributed to excellence in public education, is extra sweet because Mattingly is winding down his career for retirement. “I was really happy to receive it because it’s considered to be the most prestigious faculty award,” Mattingly said. “One of my colleagues, I think he said it well, ‘This is just a nice send-off gift.’” Beyond his 20 years of teaching at UNI, one of his biggest achievements was researching and informing how the Wilson College of Business can teach and assess critical thinking throughout the core business program. He also became an early pioneer for the college’s delivery in online education. Atul Mitra, who nominated Mattingly, has seen his work ethic firsthand. They used to sit in offices right next to each other in the Curris Business Building and regularly talked about their work. “I know how thoughtful he is in terms of how he approaches different topics,” said Mitra, professor and head of management. “I feel really proud that he got it. He’s a good role model for our department. This is something comes from your heart.”

FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING Brett Olsen, Head of Finance, Professor of Finance

Even as Brett Olsen has expanded his role as a department head and worked toward promotion, he never lost sight of his connection with students in the classroom. And that was a big reason why he was one of two 2022 honorees for the Class of 1943 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, given with an emphasis on effective performance in the classroom. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say this was somewhat satisfying getting nominated and being honored for the work I’ve been doing,” Olsen said. “I’m so appreciative for the folks that nominated me and those that supported my nomination. It’s so rewarding to know that others find value in what you’re doing. Whether it’s in the classroom or outside the classroom, advising a student group, taking them on competitions — that’s the part that I enjoy the most.” Shar Self, former department head for finance and economics, nominated Olsen for the award. She said he exemplifies all three parts of the criteria: teaching, research and service. At one point, Olsen was the only tenured professor in the department. He took on a lot of work and did it all without complaint. “He was carrying an unreal amount of service, and with so much grace,” Self said. “He also collaborates with everyone in the department, including junior staff. He’s really the full package. I’m so, so happy for him. He deserves the recognition.”

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2023 STUDENT AWARDS PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD

SERVANT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Andy Straube Accounting

Andy Straube

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD

RISING LEADER AWARD

Tristen Prouse Economics

Alex O’Neal

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD

LEADERSHIP IMPACT AWARD

Makenna Koch Finance

Heidi Bantz

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD

STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Derek Krogmann Real Estate

Skyler Ramsey

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD

MAC IMPACT STUDENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Macey Spilman Management

Anna Gilbreath

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD Cassidy Bohr Supply Chain Management

STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR Business Student Ambassadors

Business Student Ambassadors

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD Madison TenHulzen Marketing

PURPLE & OLD GOLD AWARD

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Chase Eiklenborg Management Information Systems

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FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

DISTINGUISHED TEACHING

DISTINGUISHED INSTRUCTOR

Nicholas Bailey

Linda DeBarthe

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARSHIP Ryan Flugum

Family Business Center Jayne Kielman, Katie Kreis, Dan Beenken

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

ABOVE & BEYOND

Betsy Ratchford

EXCEPTIONAL IMPACT

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Roberta Roth

INSPIRING INNOVATION

Economics Department

ABOVE & BEYOND Bruce Bowler

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WELCOME NEW FACULTY & STAFF Brianne Anderson

Madison Kraemer

Secretary of the Department of Economics

Professional Readiness Program Coordinator

Jen Rust Associate Academic Advisor

Rebecca Kramer Secretary of the Department of Management

Jordan Burrows Environmental Specialist, Iowa Waste Reduction Center

RETIRED FACULTY & STAFF Craig Van Sandt

James Mattingly

Associate Professor of Management

Associate Professor of Management Shashi Kaparthi

Head of Marketing & Entrepreneurship

Associate Professor of Management Information Systems

Mark Bauman

Karen Hansen

Professor of Accounting

Sec III Management

Roberta Roth Professor of Management Information Systems

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Dale Cyphert

// ANNUAL GIVING

Wilson College of Business Alumni and Friends, As we celebrate David W. Wilson’s transformative gift to the college, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the generous donors who have contributed over the past year. Your remarkable gifts will play a vital role in securing the future of the Wilson College of Business and ensuring the success of our graduates. Your contributions created more business scholarships and supported numerous student success initiatives. We cannot thank you enough. However, our work does not end here. As we look to the future, our goal is to provide students with greater access to data and technology. Unlike any previous generation, all business graduates must enter the workforce with the competence to effectively analyze data and leverage technology. We are currently fundraising to build an endowment dedicated to providing access to platforms and detailed datasets that will allow students to refine their key analytics skills and capabilities. We also recognize that, in addition to a rigorous classroom education, many skills are developed through practical, hands-on experiences. Obtaining certifications and credentials, studying abroad, and participating in internships all impart valuable lessons and prepare our graduates for successful careers. These engaged learning opportunities are integral to the education we provide our students. Your continued support enables us to reach and impact even more business students. Whether through scholarships, investments in faculty or programs, or annual gifts to the Dean’s Fund, your contributions have a positive impact on the success of our students and ensure the tradition of excellence you experienced. Once again, we express our deep gratitude for your commitment to our students and our programs. For more information on how you can support the Wilson College, please feel free to contact us. We eagerly await the opportunity to align your philanthropic passions with the many opportunities that support student success. Panther Proud!

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Elaine Johnson ‘84 Director of Development elaine.johnson@uni.edu Western half of Iowa and US

Ryan Randall ‘15 Director of Development ryan.randall@uni.edu Eastern half of Iowa and US

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UNI ALUMNI SIBLINGS UNITE TO CREATE TEKIPPE ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Juila Slayden (Accounting, ‘80), Mae Franklin (Accounting, ‘85) and Ron TeKippe (Accounting, ‘89) are three siblings in the TeKippe family of seven. They had a humble childhood in Rickardsville, Iowa, located in Dubuque County. Their parents didn’t complete high school, and they didn’t have college expectations for their children either, but the children insisted. Eventually, five of the seven siblings attended school as first-generation higher education graduates. Julia, Ron and Mae paid their own way through college at the Wilson College of Business, graduating with accounting degrees and becoming CPAs. Now they’ve come together to create a scholarship to help more students do the same. The TeKippe Accounting Scholarship, established in 2021, provides $1,500 to a senior or master’s level accounting student who has demonstrated academic excellence, financial need and a commitment to self-support. “We thought it was important that we all had to pay our way through school,” Ron said. “We were really looking for those kids that were a little bit more like us, and at least had to contribute to

their education because we think that’s an important part of the process.” Julia was the first to attend UNI. She didn’t even think about college until the eighth grade, when a teacher encouraged her to attend due to her strong academic performance. Her mother was hesitant at first, but because a close family friend attended UNI, she relented, and Julia enrolled the year after graduation. Her siblings followed in her footsteps. Accounting was natural, probably because their father was a numbers guy, serving as the treasurer for their hometown. Julia, Rona and Mae all split into different career paths, but accounting and UNI was the foundation. “We went on to get a great education at UNI,” Julia said. “I

“We went on to get a great education at UNI. I think it’s a great school, and the accounting program is one of the best.”

think it’s a great school, and the accounting program is one of the best. And we made lifelong friends.” The idea of giving back and creating a scholarship at UNI emerged as a shared vision among the three siblings a few years ago. Julia, who has been contributing via a scholarship of her own since 2018, started giving back when the college offered a “Dollar of the Year Club” back in the 1980s, aimed at encouraging alumni to contribute small amounts right out of college. “It definitely feels good to help another student, somebody that’s making their way themselves,” Mae said. “It also provides another connection back to the school.” Julia agrees, and said it was a special moment to give back by partnering with her siblings. “I’m really excited, even if I did pull them in a little bit,” Julia said with a laugh. “It’s just really neat, and I’m glad it has evolved into more than one scholarship” The TeKippe Accounting Scholarship, now renewed for another five years, embodies the siblings’ commitment to giving back to the institution that played a vital role in their personal and professional development.

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Back (L to R): Ken TeKippe, Ron TeKippe, Lenny TeKippe Front (L to R): Julia Slaydon, Leta Franklin, Anita Collins

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FREQUENT DONOR GARY ROLING STEPS UP TO NAME UNI’S JPEC INCUBATOR SUITE

WILSON 2023-2024

Gary Roling (Accounting and MBA, ‘76 and ‘84) has quite a career story to tell. From moving on from his position at John Deere during the farm crisis in the 1980s to being laid off during a company buyout in the early ‘90s to ascending as controller and president at Cedar Rapids-based manufacturer J-TEC Associates, Roling says he’s lucky to end up where he did: as the sole owner of J-TEC Associates in 2007. And none of it would have happened without the Wilson College of Business. That’s why Roling felt a need to pass it on. For 41 consecutive years, he has donated to UNI. Just recently, his gift to the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial

“With what I learned and accomplished at UNI, it led me to John Deere, it led me to J-TEC, the MBA I received. So it’s a case where I felt the need to pay it back.”

Center put his name on the Incubator Suite, a space for students to explore new ideas with JPEC faculty and staff. “I always tell my wife that we wouldn’t be in this financial position of strength without UNI,” Roling said. “With what I learned and accomplished at UNI, it led me to John Deere, it led me to J-TEC, the MBA I received. So it’s a case where I felt the need to pay it back.” Roling jokes that he took a decade to graduate from college, which is true, but most of that can be attributed to a four-year service in the military. After becoming a full-time student, Roling jumped into the accounting program and eventually passed the CPA exam before launching his career at John Deere. Roling became invested in startup companies during his time at J-TEC Associates. After he started making good money and more so after he became sole owner, he received cold calls in the office about businesses looking for funding. He was burned a few times – like one movie company in California that paid themselves instead of producing a movie – but he considers those learning opportunities.

Since then, he has focused on investing in local companies in Iowa, especially Cedar Rapids. One company that has found success was a small Ames-based business that developed application-specific integrated circuits. They were eventually bought by a semiconductor company in California. At one point after leaving John Deere, Roling was invited to start a small manufacturing company. But the lack of stability for him and his family stopped him from pursuing it. “I always had that entrepreneurial interest,” Roling said. “That spurred my interest in investing in new technology in various places.” Now as a contributor to the UNI JPEC, he plans to keep his eye on intriguing businesses that he might want to invest in. “I’m interested in seeing what companies come out of the entrepreneurial efforts,” Roling said. “I serve on a couple of nonprofit boards, and I serve on three private company board of directors. I like to be involved. I like to provide some information that might be helpful for them and guide the company they’re leading.”

// ANNUAL GIVING

IOWA INSURANCE DIVISION PROVIDES NEW SUPPORT FOR UNI’S STATEWIDE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM support allows us to provide an incentive for students to take the exam and earn college credit.” Financial Skills for Smart Living is a college-level personal finance course customized for Iowa high school students and adapted for high school faculty delivery. The program covers a variety of important personal finance topics, including budgeting, saving, investing and credit. Students who take the course and pass the exam earn three credits of college credit. Teachers are also offered professional development and support from Wilson College of Business faculty and staff, with the option of earning graduate credit or license renewal credit. “The Iowa Insurance Division is very committed to increasing financial literacy and driving impactful change in Iowa communities,” said Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. “We are proud to be a partner with UNI to help provide teachers financial literacy focused

educational resources to utilize in their classrooms and help to remove any financial barriers to students getting college credit for their learning.” So far, the course is taught in over 110 schools across Iowa. More than 10,000 students have gone through the program, and more than 150 teachers have been trained in how to administer the course. The Iowa Insurance Division is the state regulator which supervises all the insurance business transacted in the state of Iowa. Beyond the Iowa Insurance Division, several other partners have stepped up to help support Financial Skills for Smart Living. “I think a course like the Financial Skills for Smart Living® provides students a start in earning college credit, but also the confidence that they can be successful in college,” Anderson said. “I’m very excited about the program going forward.”

Teachers interested in learning more about the course or bringing it to their schools are encouraged to fill out the form at the bottom of the Financial Skills for Smart Living website.

WILSON 2023-2024

The Iowa Insurance Division has made a new donation of $45,500 to support high school students in paying for college credit through the financial literacy exam. This exam is administered as part of the University of Northern Iowa’s Financial Skills for Smart Living® program, which aims to provide students with college credits and essential knowledge in personal finance. Students who pass the exam will be reimbursed the exam fee of $100 through a Visa prepaid card. Last year, about 600 high school students passed. The financial support will also help provide training for teachers interested in using UNI’s curriculum. The curriculum was showcased at the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition’s Annual Personal Finance Conference, held in the late summer this year. The gathering provided education around personal finance and resources and strategies to teach students. This year 70 teachers registered, already surpassing last year’s total attendance of 45 teachers. “I’m very excited about this relationship because I can see more students taking the opportunity to earn college credit,” said Jennifer Anderson, business teaching program coordinator and head of the Financial Skills for Smart Living program. “This

// ANNUAL GIVING

THE DEAN’S FUND FOR EXCELLENCE 80.03% 6.49% 6.23% 4.13% 3.12%

Student Professional Development Example: 100+ travel abroad scholarships Faculty Development & Support Example: Professional development seminars Alumni Relations Example: Executive-in-residence events Academic Partner Relations Example: Partnership meetings in China and Europe Corporate/Community Relations Example: Power of the Purse sponsorship

DEAN’S FUND LEADERSHIP SOCIETY

We recognize those who have made the Dean’s Fund for Excellence a focus of their giving with a donation of $1,000 or more during the 2022-23 academic year. As seen above, this unrestricted fund primarily supports business students who invest time and effort in building a professional edge that will be of immediate, marketable value upon graduation.

Leadership Cabinet $10,000+ United Fire Group

David & Holly Wilson

Leadership Team $5000+ David & Jeanne Allbaugh

Denny & Tama Mullen

Scott Bradfield

Jeffrey A. Scudder

Laura Huisman

United Fire Group, in honor of Randy Ramlo

WILSON 2023-2024

Leadership Circle $1000-$4999

AEGON/Transamerica Foundaiton Margaret & Randy Asmus Mike & Kathryn Brimeyer Don & Mary Coffin Beverly & Troy Coody Gregory & April Davies Paul D. Donahue Dan & Pat Fliger David Hammer Scott & Mary Ellen Hassenstab Todd & Carol Hemphill Jill & Nicholas Hittner Heidi & Timothy Hobkirk Scott & Angela Horton Anthony & Julianne Howard Randy Ingram & Kathy Tanner Ingram Daniel Kunkel Leanne Lind Marden Sally & Kent Mainquist Robert L. Mauer

Tony & Luann McAdams Mike & Ginny McBride Benjamin & Jennifer Miller Joyce Moser Nexus Solutions LLC Dennis Padget Steven & Teresa Palmitier Sheldon & Donita Petersen Richard & Jacqueline Pullen Betty & Steven Ragaller Gary & Patsy Roling Andrew & Carrie Roquet Steven & Trina Schonert Heidi Shuraleff Karen Ploen Soens State Farm Companies Foundation Pam & Jim Taylor Todd W. Weidmaier Leslie & Logan Wilson David & Joan Zrostlik

EMPLOYER MATCHED GIFTS

The following companies matched their employees’ gifts to the business college:

AEGON/Transamerica Foundation

KPMG Foundation

BankIowa Employee Matching Gift Program

The Medtronic Foundation

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company

Nationwide Insurance Foundation

Best Buy Company Inc.

Next Generation Wireless

BKD LLP now FORVIS LLP

Nexus Solutions LLC

Caterpillar Foundation

Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Charles Schwab

Nutrien

Chevron USA, Inc.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation

Deloitte Foundation

State Farm Companies Foundation

EideBailly

The Standard

Ernst & Young Foundation

TrueNorth Companies

Fifth Third Bank

Union Pacific Corporation

First Interstate BancSystem Foundation

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield

General Mills Foundation Hormel Foods Corporation John Deere Foundation

Thank you.

UNI thanks all Dean’s Fund for Excellence donors for their commitment to business student success.

READY FOR THE FUTURE We talk a lot about getting our students ‘Ready for Business,’ but what does that really mean for you? ‘Ready for Business’ is our promise for the future. Everyone’s future. We will turn students into professionals.

Gifts to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence financially support certification classes and professional development programs, international studies, student competitions, site visits and other career-specific learning opportunities.

/ They will become effective leaders.

We deeply appreciate the loyal support from the Dean’s Leadership Society. Activities made possible by these generous investments provide the foundation for students to become the leaders of tomorrow.

/ They will create jobs. / They will increase the financial stability of Iowa.

DONATE TODAY!

BUSINESS.UNI.EDU/DEANSFUND

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