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2024 Catalysts Series - Technology Association of Iowa
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The Catalysts Series is a collection of conversations with leaders and changemakers of organizations who forge new paths through technology innovation to guide Iowa's technology industry forward to a more inclusive, equitable and diverse future.
Join us on Thursday, July 18th, for the 2024 Catalysts Live event to celebrate and honor this year’s Catalysts Honorees.
“Equity & Accessibility Powered by Technology”
This year’s inspiring stories and diverse perspectives shared on stage highlighted how organizations are enabling equity and accessibility through technology for their customers, employees and communities.
Register Here for 2024 Catalysts Live
2024 Catalysts Honorees
2024 Catalysts Honoree Stories
At the 2024 Catalysts Live event on Thursday, July 18th, we celebrated the five 2024 Catalysts Honorees and heard the inspiring stories of organizations at the forefront of change to guide Iowa's technology industry forward.
Read the uplifting narratives to see how these organizations are using technology as a force for equity and accessibility—empowering our communities, enriching our workplaces, and enhancing the lives of those we serve.
2024 Catalysts Live Photos
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2024 Catalysts Live Event Location & Agenda
Thursday, July 18, 2024
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 Program with 2024 Catalysts Honorees
2024 Catalysts Series Honorees
Speakers & Topics
2024 Catalysts Series Honorees
Honoree: Des Moines Data for Good
From Insight to Impact: Empowering Nonprofits with Data
Speakers
Scott Anderson – Advanced Analytics Delivery Manager at John Deere & Founder and Board Member of Data for Good
Tammy L. Armstrong – Owner at Little Data Solutions, LLC & Board Member of Data For Good
Key Highlights
  • Learn how Des Moines Data for Good empowers nonprofits in the Greater Des Moines Area to make data-driven decisions and maximize their impact.
  • Understand how to unlock insights: Data for Good provides nonprofits with access to analytics expertise—helping set up processes to better capture data, gain valuable insights from data to improve program effectiveness, and ultimately measure impact.
  • Let Data for Good partner with your organization to unlock the power of data to amplify impact.
Honoree: Digital Diagnostics
DEI in Healthcare AI: From Technology Design to Patient Impact
Speaker
Jill Terrill, Senior Director of National Accounts at Digital Diagnostics
Key Highlights
  • Ethics and DEI are foundational for successful and impactful healthcare AI solutions and should be considered from the very beginning.
  • DEI is not a one-time consideration and should be evaluated at all phases of a project, from design, to development, to implementation, and ongoing support.
  • Digital Diagnostics’ DEI philosophy starts with a shared mission to positively impact patient outcomes, which is lived out by each employee every day as we work together to transform the quality, accessibility, and equity of diagnostic AI in healthcare.
Honoree: Iowa Workforce Development-Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Settings; For Success
Speakers
Tyler Hansen, CESP, Business Engagement Manager at Vocational Rehabilitation Services
April Stotz, MS, CRC, Training Manager & Tech Liaison at Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Key Highlights
  • Everyone can work. People with and without disabilities have the tools and abilities to work.
  • Individualized accommodations and solutions can also be universal solutions for staff members.
  • Focusing on a person's abilities and not their disabilities will help with creating impactful solutions in the workplace.
Honoree: Tech Gift Foundation
Empowering the Underserved through the Gift of Tech
Speakers
Kathir Kalyanaraman, Founder & President at Tech Gift Foundation
Key Highlights
  • Tech Gift Foundation's Mission: The foundation aims to bridge the digital divide for underserved communities worldwide by providing technology resources.
  • Impact of Technology: Access to laptops, tablets, and smartphones enhances educational opportunities and improves livelihoods for individuals in these communities.
  • Support Needed: Monetary and in-kind donations are crucial for expanding Tech Gift Foundation's reach within and beyond the local community.
Honoree: Wells Enterprises
Breaking Down Language Barriers: Harnessing AI for Translation
Speakers
Tracey Akins, Director Product Data Management, Payroll & AP at Wells Enterprises
Tanya Gonzalez, Senior Document Control Linguist at Wells Enterprises
Key Highlights
  • Sustainable Solution: Wells Enterprises’ Translation Team developed a sustainable solution for translation needs through technology to adapt and grow with the business.
  • Develop Relationships: Collaborating with teams actually using the translated documents allows them to share their knowledge, speeding up adoption.
  • Embrace Technology: By utilizing artificial intelligence technology, they were able to scale output quickly and deliver the end results to team members ahead of schedule.
Register for the 2024 Catalysts Live Event
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PREFERRED EVENT PRODUCTION PROVIDER
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CHAMPION SPONSORS
DEI ALLY SPONSORS
SUPPORT SPONSORS
Interested in Sponsoring the 2024 Catalysts Live Event?

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

Explore Past Catalysts Series Content
  • All
  • 2019 Catalysts
  • 2020 Catalysts
  • 2022 Catalysts
  • 2023 Catalysts
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