What does it really take to build a meaningful career - and a life you’re proud of?
In this dynamic keynote, you’ll explore the essential foundations for long-term success, starting with how to discern your role in the world by aligning purpose, skills, enjoyment, and income. You’ll learn why personal agency is one of the most powerful drivers of growth, how to manage your time and energy effectively, and how your self-image can either accelerate your development or quietly limit your potential.
Grounded in real-world insights and top observations from executive coaching at The River Coaching and Consulting, this keynote offers practical tools and perspective to help early-career professionals grow with intention, resilience, and confidence.
The DSM Intern Connection event series returns to Greater Des Moines (DSM). The series will feature opportunities for interns and college-aged students to connect with community leaders and executives, as well as opportunities to network with fellow students while learning about what makes DSM unique and truly the place to be.
Tony Thelen is the Founder and Principal Executive Coach at The River Coaching and Consulting, LLC., a firm he launched after a 35-year career with John Deere to help executives maximize effectiveness and build fulfilling careers.
Tony began his career as a chemical engineer and progressed through manufacturing leadership, sales, customer support, and marketing roles. He later led Deere’s Precision Agriculture organization, global tractor marketing, and two large-scale operating model transformations. In his final decade, he served in senior leadership roles within Deere’s captive finance organization, retiring as Chief Product Officer and Strategic Adviser to the President.
Tony has coached hundreds of senior professionals all over the world. He is a certified CoachSource and Hogan Assessment member of the International Coaching Federation and the Institute of Coaching.
Tony holds a post-graduate diploma from Oxford University, an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, and a BS in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. He is the author of “Am I Doing This Right?” and “Things We Desire” published in Nov 2025, and writes the syndicated weekly executive coaching column The River, reaching over 100,000 readers.
Tony serves on multiple independent boards and lives in West Okoboji, Iowa, with his wife Sheila and their three daughters.