Iowa
Technology
Summit
STUDENT TRACK
Tech Career Accelerator: Strategies for Students
APR. 7 / 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM / PANEL
About
The session will include engagement with a diverse panel of technology leaders and young professionals as they share their personal journeys and insights on:
- Securing impactful internships: Learn what skills, background, and professionalism you need to land your dream internship.
- Navigating your internship experience: Get tips on how to make the most of your time as an intern and leave a lasting impression.
- Strategies for full-time employment: Uncover the secrets to transitioning from an intern to a valued full-time employee.
Speaker
Joe Riesberg
SVP & Chief Information Officer
EMC Insurance Companies
Joe Riesberg is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for EMC Insurance Companies, where he leads the company’s delivery of operational results through technology solutions. He has been with EMC since 2019.
Prior to joining EMC, Joe served as Vice President of Global Technology Operations, DHI Group Inc.; Chief Information Officer, Drake University; and Senior Vice President – Global IT Security Services, Aviva. Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Iowa State University. He also completed the University of Oxford, Said Business School (Oxford, UK) Strategist Executive Leadership Program. A proponent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Joe was featured in a Harvard Business Review article, “Don’t Let Gen AI Limit Your Team’s Creativity” in March-April 2024.
An Iowa native, Joe is committed to building and maintaining a strong and vibrant community. He has volunteered with Willkie House and Iowa Homeless Youth Center projects as well as being an active participant of the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlisle. He also has served as a youth football coach for 10 years.
Joe is a member of the Technology Association of Iowa Board of Directors and served as Board chair in 2023. He was named as TAI’s CIO of the Year in 2022, and the EMC technology team won the TAI Large Company Culture Award in 2021 and 2024. Joe also currently serves as a member of the Guidewire Strategic Advisory Committee. In addition, he has been a member of the IBM Security Board of Advisors and Deloitte European Union Cyber Threat Intelligence Trust Group.
Panelists
Jenni Hipwell
Chief People Officer
Zirous
As Chief People Officer at Zirous, a technology firm based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Jenni Hipwell strategically leads all Human Resources functions. She is instrumental in driving the company’s operational excellence, shaping its culture, and supporting its growth.
Bringing a multi-industry perspective, Jenni is a seasoned HR Management veteran with 20 years of experience across the technology, insurance, and healthcare sectors. Her expertise spans the entire talent lifecycle, from recruitment through succession planning. She is particularly known for establishing and leading Zirous’s exceptional internship program, which is key to identifying and integrating high-potential collegiate talent.
Jenni holds a B.A. in General Communications and Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She is an active member of both the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and Central Iowa – Society of Human Resources Management (CI-SHRM). Demonstrating her commitment to developing future talent, Jenni also serves on the Technology Association of Iowa’s Workforce & Education Committee, which supports education and career pursuits in the ever-changing technology industry.
Natalie Maher
Cloud Engineer
Wellabe
Natalie Maher is a Cloud Engineer at Wellabe, where she has been part of the team since June 2025. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Business Analytics & Information Systems (BAIS). Natalie’s interest in cloud computing began during a previous internship, where she was first exposed to cloud-based technologies and the career paths within space. That interest was further solidified through a cloud computing course in college, which helped shape her decision to pursue a career in the cloud. At Wellabe, Natalie is involved not only in managing the cloud platform, but also in driving innovation through automation initiatives and proof-of-concept work across a variety of Azure services, including databases, performance monitoring, and cost optimization.
Sam McKendree
Info Security Analyst
VGM Group, Inc.
Sam McKendree has spent the last five years at VGM Group in Waterloo, Iowa, starting on the IT help desk before moving into information security in 2023. As an Information Security Analyst, he focuses on security operations, risk management, and helping the business adopt new technology in a safe, practical, and scalable way. Sam had the opportunity of being a member of the 2024 Iowa Tech Connect cohort, gaining perspective on innovation and leadership. Before entering IT, he was the lead brewer at a local Cedar Falls brewery—experience that shaped his appreciation for experimentation, process improvement, and learning through iteration.
Chase Weida
Operations Analyst
Kingland
Chase is a 2021 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Mathematics and minors in Computer and Data Science. He began his career with Kingland Systems in 2020 as an Advanced Business Analyst Intern. After graduating, he transitioned to a full-time position with Kingland as an Operations Analyst. Chase’s work experience ranges from statistical analysis and enterprise process to software procurement, configuration, and administration. In addition to his core responsibilities, Chase frequently engages with prospective interns and ISU graduates on campus via the ISU Career fair, Iowa State Information Systems and Business Analytics Club, Ivy College of Business events, and MIS classes. Chase lives and works in Ames, Iowa with his wife, Kelsey, and their dog, Willow. When not working, you might find him at Ada Hayden Heritage Park fishing or getting towed around Ames on his rollerblades by Willow.
Moderator
Leah Homeister
Sr. Director PMO
VGM Group, Inc.
Leah Homeister is a forward‑thinking IT leader with more than 20 years of experience driving technology‑enabled transformation. As Senior Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) at VGM Group, she leads enterprise‑wide efforts to align project execution with strategic priorities, modernize project governance, and deliver transparency, efficiency, and measurable business value. Leah partners closely with IT and business leaders to focus technology investments on the highest‑impact initiatives and advance portfolio management and project delivery. With a people‑centered focus, she is passionate about building high‑performing teams, fostering continuous improvement, and enabling innovation and sustained organizational success.
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