Meet the 2026 Iowa Technology Leadership Institute Cohort
DES MOINES, Iowa (December 4, 2025) – The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) is proud to announce the 2026 cohort of the Iowa Technology Leadership Institute (ITLI) — a statewide leadership program that equips technology leaders with the non-technical skills to thrive in executive roles.
This six-month program equips rising technology leaders with advanced leadership skills, peer networks, and real-world exposure to executive decision-making. The fifth cohort of the program comprises twenty-five professionals from twenty-five different organizations, representing a diverse cross-section of industries and communities across the state.
Support from the Principal® Financial Network helps expand access, enrich cohort programming, and accelerate leader readiness across industries.
2026 Iowa Technology Leadership Institute Cohort:
Heather Anson
Technical Operations Manager
Farm Bureau Financial Services
Joshua Baird
AVP, Enterprise IT Manager
Bankers Trust
Michael Christensen
Manager, IT Scrum Masters
TruStage
Robert Conner
IT Service Desk Supervisor
Wright Service Corp.
Lisa Davis
Director, Software Engineering
Penn Mutual
Ellen Hartstack
Director of Security Operations
Workiva
Ashley Hromatko
FinOps Engineering Lead
Corteva Agriscience
Jason Hughes
Software Engineering Manager
EMC Insurance Companies
Joshua Klesel
SVP, Head of IT Infrastructure and Cloud Operations
KKR
Paul Kuhl
Manager, Technology Delivery
Velera
Andrew Laffey
Director of Information Security
Wellabe
Eric Lage
General Manager
Waterloo Fiber
Tyler Lester
Senior Manager, IT Technical Services
LCS
Thomas Lindner
Director - Engineering
Principal Financial Group
Jeff Loomans
Director of Digital Products
Vermeer Corporation
Jeffrey McBride
Director, Application Security & Cloud Identity
Athene
K.J. McQuerrey
Head of New Business Technology
American Equity
Carsten Moeller
Integrated Solutions Manager
Ruan Transport Management Systems
Kelsey Olson
Director, Business Systems
Berkley Technology Services
Rachel Ruiz
Sr. Manager Data Analytics & AI
Wells Enterprises
Troy Showers
Director of Retail Service and Installation
Fareway Stores, Inc.
Andrew Slagle
Senior Manager - Client Technology
ITA Group, Inc.
Joshua Sloan
Director, Solution Delivery
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Chris Toy
Director - IT Infrastructure & Operations
Casey's
Scott Weston
VP IT Operations
VGM Group, Inc.
The Iowa Technology Leadership Institute is supported by
Thank you to our partner sponsors who provide additional support for TAI’s professional development programs: Casey’s, F&G Annuities & Life, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Sukup Manufacturing Co. and Wells Enterprises
About the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI)
The Technology Association of Iowa guides public policy, develops talent, and invests in our state’s innovation ecosystem. Since 1997, we’ve united technology professionals and leaders to bolster economic prosperity across industries. Our members champion a clear truth: Technology is the cornerstone of Iowa’s growth — and innovation is every Iowan’s business.
Get involved at technologyiowa.org and follow us on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Nick Donovan, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Technology Association of Iowa
nick@technologyiowa.org
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