Connect, Learn and Grow at Iowa's Premier Technology Conference
April 7-8, 2025
Des Moines, Iowa
Connect
Connect with your peers and engage with Iowa's vibrant tech community. Share ideas and experiences, meet new people and discover new perspectives in a welcoming environment designed to network and collaborate.
Learn
Great ideas only get better when we share them. From a dynamic keynote led by Iowa tech leaders, to engaging panels to technical deep dives, explore more from five diverse content tracks.
Grow
Get engaged to empower your teams and gain insight on how to work more efficiently and effectively — at any size company, in any industry, and on any team.
Keynote Presentation
Iowa Technology Summit 2025 Keynote
Preparing for an AI-future is the most important challenge of today. But people are already overwhelmed by a firehose of change. Now teams are skeptical and anxious about the disruption that A.I. might bring.
Dan helps teams to untangle the madness – to navigate the AI revolution. He invites teams to unlock their curiosity and optimism to get excited about innovation. He inspires organizations to harness the power of technology and how to learn and try new things so they will thrive in the exponential future ahead. With A.I., we can reinvent and reimagine the Future of Work.
Session Tracks
Explore five engaging content tracks each designed to enrich a wide range of interests and expertise in Cybersecurity, Data, Innovation, Leadership and Transformation.
These carefully curated sessions promise to deliver valuable insights and strategies for your professional growth. Stay tuned for exciting speaker and session announcements coming soon.
Navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity in this track. Learn about the latest threats, cutting-edge security strategies, and best practices for safeguarding digital assets. Ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their cyber defense skills and knowledge
Explore the multifaceted world of data in this track, encompassing broad areas like data governance, analytics strategies, and data-driven innovation. Engage with concepts crucial for harnessing data effectively in various sectors across Iowa’s technology landscape
Dive into the world of innovation, where groundbreaking ideas and technologies are reshaping industries in Iowa. This track highlights innovative approaches and solutions that are driving progress and setting new standards across the state’s tech landscape.
Explore the dynamics of effective leadership in the tech industry. This track focuses on leadership strategies, skills, and insights that are key to guiding teams and organizations to success in Iowa’s evolving technology sector.
Discover real use cases of how companies in Iowa are driving innovation, leading digital transformation, and modernizing their operations. This track showcases how businesses are successfully transitioning from legacy systems, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and implementing creative solutions to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Registration
Registration for the Iowa Technology Summit 2025 has closed. For questions about the Summit, contact events@technologyiowa.org
Agenda
Session Types
Sessions vary in type and length to foster interactive learning, spark discussion, and highlight real-world examples. Discover the session types you can expect:
Moderated sessions with 2-3 experts, combining opening insights with audience Q&A
Real-world examples that foster critical thinking
Informal, interactive discussions in a relaxed setting
In-depth explorations of complex topics for those with foundational knowledge
Casual, interactive discussions led by a guest and moderator
15-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute interactive audience discussion
Talks highlighting core themes
Hands-on sessions for practicing new skills
Monday, April 7
4:00 PM
Summit Opening Party
Join us at The Republic on Grand in the East Village to officially kick off the Summit from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Attendees can enjoy networking, drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres.
Tuesday, April 8
7:15 AM / Grand Concourse
Registration Check-In + Expo Hall Opening
Start your day by checking in to receive your conference name badge and agenda. After check-in, you can explore the Expo Hall or find your seat for the keynote.
STUDENT TRACK
7:30 AM / Room 401
Summit Student Reception
SPEAKER
Becky Roseland
Director of Technology Delivery & Operations, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
WELCOME
8:15 AM / Ballroom B
Opening Remarks
SPEAKER
Brian Waller
President, Technology Association of Iowa
SPEAKER
9:20 AM / Grand Concourse
Break + Expo Hall
Step into the Expo Hall to explore the latest from leading tech companies! Take a break from sessions and explore opportunities to connect, learn, and fuel up with complimentary snacks and beverages. Make sure to visit for a blend of insight and interaction.
CYBERSECURITY TRACK
9:50 AM / Room 309-310
AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
PANELISTS
Meg Anderson
VP - CISO, Principal Financial Group
McAllen Badeaux
CISO, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Megan Wheelock
BISO, John Deere Financial & Director - Cybersecurity GRC, John Deere
MODERATOR
Andy Neller
Deputy CISO, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
DATA TRACK
9:45 AM / Room 302-303
CASE STUDY
SPEAKERS
Lee Henderson
Attorney, BrownWinick Law Firm
Brian McCormac
Attorney, BrownWinick Law Firm
SPEAKER
Kurt Vander Wiel
Partner / UX Strategist, Visual Logic
SPEAKER
Gary Scholten
Industry Research Fellow, MIT Center for Information Systems Research
TRANSFORMATION TRACK
9:45 AM / Room 319-320
DEEP DIVE
SPEAKER
Aaron Meis
Associate Director, DT AI Team, Collins Aerospace
FACILITATORS
John Unsen
SVP of Systems, VGM Homelink
David Ziemann
Sr. Director of Software Engineering, GlobalVetLink
SPEAKER
Jeremy Kauten
CIO & SVP of IT, VGM Group
PANELISTS
Steven Davis
CEO, Bio::Neos
Gram Fowler
Information Security Analyst, Velera
Jessica McKee
Insights Analyst, Casey's
Josie Stegman
Talent Acquisition Consultant, Holmes Murphy
MODERATOR
Kennady Gales
Sales Executive, We Write Code
DATA TRACK
10:20 AM / Room 302-303
CASE STUDY
SPEAKERS
Ryan Fye
Director of Data Strategy, Casey's
Matt Weber
Director of Analytics and Data Science, Casey's
LEADERSHIP TRACK
10:20 AM / Room 317-318
FIRESIDE CHAT
SPEAKER
Chris Cournoyer
Iowa Lieutenant Governor
MODERATOR
Mollie Ross
VP of Operations, TAI
TRANSFORMATION TRACK
10:20 AM / Room 319-320
MINI KEYNOTE
SPEAKERS
John White
Chief Operating Officer, US Signal
Taylor Greiner
Microsoft Cloud Specialist, US Signal
10:45 AM / Grand Concourse
Break + Expo Hall
DEMO HUB NORTH
10:45 AM / 304-306
Accelerate Software Testing 10x with KNOVVA Agents
PRESENTED BY
DEMO HUB SOUTH
10:45 AM / 314-316
Turbo Threat Hunting
DEMO HUB NORTH
11:00 AM / 304-306
Forescout Demo
PRESENTED BY
DEMO HUB SOUTH
11:00 AM / 314-316
Cloudflare Demo
CYBERSECURITY TRACK
11:10 AM / Room 309-310
INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION
SPEAKERS
Blake Roth
AVP - IT Security and Operations, F&G
Justin Wille
AVP - Data Management, F&G
PANELISTS
Chris Campbell
Sr. Director - AI Solutions, World Wide Technology (WWT)
INNOVATION TRACK
11:10 AM / Room 312-313
INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION
SPEAKER
Grey Lovelace
Sr. Software Consultant, Coach. & GenAI Specialist, Source Allies
LEADERSHIP TRACK
11:10 AM / Room 317-318
FIRESIDE CHAT
SPEAKERS
Debbie Dean
VP, Health Analytics Solutions, GDIT
Kim Huffman
SVP & CIO, Workiva
Jason Katcher
SVP & CIO, ITA Group
MODERATOR
Brian Waller
President, Technology Association of Iowa
TRANSFORMATION TRACK
11:10 AM / Room 319-320
DEEP DIVE
SPEAKER
Gabriel Stackhouse
Software Engineering Manager, GlobalVetLink
FACILITATORS
Tracey Akins
Director of Shared Services, Wells Enterprises
Hannah Gray
Director of Security & Compliance, revology
Enjoy lunch and a quick, entertaining peek at how Source Allies helps teams turn hype into real, working solutions.
CYBERSECURITY TRACK
1:15 PM / Room 309-310
INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION
SPEAKER
Dylan Shroll
Security Engineer, revology
DATA TRACK
1:15 PM / Room 302-303
INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION
PANELISTS
Tom Jidong-Sun
Sr. Software Engineer, Kingland
CJ Nayak
Associate Engineering Director, Kingland
INNOVATION TRACK
1:15 PM / Room 312-313
CASE STUDY
SPEAKERS
Ben Goerdt
Head of Engineering, Claimable
Zach Veigulis
Chief AI Officer, Claimable
LEADERSHIP TRACK
1:15 PM / Room 317-318
AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL + WORKSHOP
PANELISTS
Jeremy Kauten
CIO & SVP of IT, VGM Group
Joanna Longwe
Software Developer, VGM Group
Tera O'Hare
SVP of Technology, VGM Group
Andrew Wirth
Sr. Software Architect, VGM Homelink
TRANSFORMATION TRACK
1:15 PM / Room 319-320
AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
PANELISTS
Dave Ashton
CIO, Holmes Murphy
Brianne Schulte
VP, Strategy, Risk, Information Technology & Financial Planning, Vermeer Corporation
Shawn Swaner
SVP & CTO, Athene
MODERATOR
Aaron Horn
CIO, Benchmark, Inc.
FACILITATORS
John Unsen
SVP of Systems, VGM Homelink
David Ziemann
Sr. Director of Software Engineering, GlobalVetLink
CYBERSECURITY TRACK
1:50 PM / Room 309-310
MINI KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
Bryan Burkhardt
Professor & Co-Chair, DMACC
Dr. Doug Elrick
Professor & Co-Chair, DMACC
SPEAKER
Hank Mandsager
Manager, Data & Analytics, Tractor Zoom
INNOVATION TRACK
1:50 PM / Room 312-313
CAMPFIRE
SPEAKERS
Jefrey Allen
Lead UI/UX & Game Developer, North High School
Moss Louvan
Lead Game Developer, DSM Virtual High School
Champ-Pacifique Mukiza
Lead Game Developer, North High School
2:15 PM / Grand Concourse
Break + Expo Hall
DEMO HUB NORTH
2:15 PM / 304-306
Enhancing Network Experience with Juniper Mist AI
DEMO HUB SOUTH
2:15 PM / 314-316
Effortless Threat Detection: UEBA with Sumo Logic
DEMO HUB NORTH
2:30 PM / 304-306
Improve and Scale Processes with NetSuite
CYBERSECURITY TRACK
2:40 PM / Room 309-310
DEEP DIVE + CASE STUDY
SPEAKER
Ben Schmitt
CISO, Mary Greeley Medical Center
DATA TRACK
2:40 PM / Room 302-303
WORKSHOP + SIMULATION
SPEAKER
Scout Stalcup
Data Consultant, Trility Consulting
INNOVATION TRACK
2:40 PM / Room 312-313
AUDIENCE-DRIVEN PANEL
PANELISTS
Sheila Backer
AVP Crop Insurance Underwriting, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
Claude Heidgerken
UX / IT Manager - Information Technology, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
Mat Wolff
Software Developer III, Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa
MODERATOR
Grey Lovelace
Sr. Software Consultant, Coach. & GenAI Specialist, Source Allies
LEADERSHIP TRACK
2:45 PM / Room 317-318
DEEP DIVE
SPEAKERS
Cara Donels
Sr. Associate, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Thomas Patton
Shareholder, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Zachary Pratt
Shareholder, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
PANELIST
Bryce Hemme
R&D Architecture Lead, Corteva Agriscience
Matt Koch
Chief Marketing Officer, Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Jim Ryken
Co-Founder & COO, BarnTools
MODERATOR
Maggie Modica
Technology Product Manager, John Deere ISG
FACILITATORS
Tracey Akins
Director of Shared Services, Wells Enterprises
Hannah Gray
Director of Security & Compliance, revology
3:30 PM / Expo Halls
The Summit Download + Expo Hall
Join us at ‘The Summit Download’ after the last session to unwind and connect. This welcoming space is a place to relax, share your experience, and make new connections.
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Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support
PRESENTING SPONSOR
OPENING PARTY SPONSOR
LUNCH SPONSOR
LEAD CONCOURSE SPONSOR
PREFERRED EVENT PRODUCTION PROVIDER
WIFI SPONSOR
CYBERSECURITY TRACK SPONSOR
DATA TRACK SPONSOR
INNOVATION TRACK SPONSOR
LEADERSHIP TRACK SPONSOR
TRANSFORMATION TRACK SPONSOR
BOOTH SPONSORS
DEMO SPONSORS
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