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2023 Catalysts Series - Technology Association of Iowa
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The Catalysts Series is a collection of conversations with technology leaders who inspire change, forge new paths, and ignite technology innovation in the state of Iowa.
Join us on Tuesday, July 18th, for the 2023 Catalysts Live event to celebrate and honor this year’s Catalysts Series Honorees. Inspiring stories and diverse perspectives shared on stage will highlight this unique event designed to connect Iowa’s technology community and honor leading organizations who are creating change and forging new paths to guide Iowa's technology industry forward.
Register Here for 2023 Catalysts Live
2023 Catalysts Series Honorees

2023 Catalysts Live photos
2023 Catalysts Live Event Location & Agenda
Tuesday, July 18
Location
The Willow on Grand
6011 Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
8:00 a.m.
Coffee, Light Breakfast & Networking
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Catalysts Live Talks with 2023 Catalysts Series Honorees
2023 Catalysts Series Honorees
Speakers & Topics
Honoree: Athene
Athene's Navigator Program: Navigating Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Technology
Speakers
Angela Jackson, SVP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Athene
Anchit Sharma, Director of Software Quality at Athene
Key Highlights
  • How Athene's Navigator Program empowers our employees and promotes inclusion in the workplace.
  • Initiatives driving a diverse and innovative community of technologists at Athene.
  • Valuable lessons learned and key takeaways for the audience.
Honoree: City of Cedar Rapids
LGBTQ+ Visibility, Inclusion and Progress
Speakers
Elizabeth Buch (she/her) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager at City of Cedar Rapids
Key Highlights
  • How the city earned perfect scores on LGBTQ equality ratings from the Human Rights Campaign
  • Intentional education-based rollout of adopting pronouns in email signatures
  • Proudly flying the Progress Pride flag at Cedar Rapids City Hall for first time in history.
Honoree: John Deere
Readying Deere Women for the Dance Floor
Speakers
Crystal Wells, Manager, Tech Stack Architecture
Key Highlights
  • A unique approach to addressing a widely misunderstood gap about women and why they may not be advancing.
  • How preparing tech women for higher levels of leadership ultimately supports the innovative spirit at John Deere
Honoree: ITA Group
The Role of Leadership in Driving Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
Speakers
Jason Katcher, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at ITA Group
Maura McCarthy, Vice President of Communications Solutions Group
Key Highlights
  • How to create a more inclusive benefits package to allow employee flexibility to live life in their own unique ways
  • Employees lead efforts within four internal committees
  • Diverse events and an increased community presence
Honoree: Veterans Tech Support
Upgrading the Technology Skills of America's Heros
Speaker
Abigail Johnson, Founder/CEO of Veterans Tech Support
Key Highlights
  • The nation's aging veteran population struggles with our rapidly changing technological world.
  • How Veterans Tech Support starts with the tech basics and expands, helping to better daily living.
  • Connecting younger and older individuals to unite as a greater community.
Honoree: VGM Group
VGM Language Learning Program: Overcoming Obstacles to Create Impact
Speakers
Cassi Price, Vice President of Corporate Projects at VGM Group
Sara Laures, Chief People Officer at VGM Group
Key Highlights
  • Understanding the obstacle of language that many of our employee-owners experience
  • Tackling the most common reasons language programs fail and solving them simply
  • Creating the most impact possible without overcomplicating the solution
Interested in Sponsoring the 2023 Catalysts Live Event?

Contact Tyler Wyngarden, TAI’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at 515-280-7701 or tyler@technologyiowa.org

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support
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Explore Past Catalysts Series Content
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