Women's Mentoring Event 2023

Please register through the Grimes Chamber here!
use code Affiliate Chamber Member for member pricing

Join the Grimes, Johnston, and Urbandale Chamber as we come together for networking, coaching, and mentoring sessions from the region's most influential business leaders. This event will allow you to try out what a mentoring relationship might be like and gain insightful advice from regional leaders. These events are designed for women to find inspiration and guidance on their careers. All events are open to anyone in the Greater Des Moines (DSM) community who would like to network and further their professional development.

Featured Mentors: 

Courtney Jennings, Pure Sweat and Float Studio

Courtney Jennings co-founded Pure Sweat and Float Studio with her husband and business partner to provide a peaceful haven for people to restore and replenish amidst daily stress. Inspired by her experience at a similar facility in Nashville, Courtney is passionate about promoting the health benefits of infrared saunas and float therapy. As an advocate for mental wellness, she believes in prioritizing one's mental health and empowers individuals to do so through her work at Pure Sweat and Float Studio, the first of its kind in the Midwest.
 

Heidi Watkins
Heidi Watkins is a finance professional with twenty-three years of professional experience, including nineteen years in not-for-profit finance administration. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Des Moines Performing Arts, overseeing financial operations, ticketing, and database administration of this premier arts organization. Heidi holds an MBA from Iowa State University, obtained her CPA in 1999, and is active in the Iowa Society of CPAs.

Karie Kading Ramsey
With a passion for building workforce in Iowa, Karieis an advocate of building communities that help cities and towns grow and prosper and that bring Iowans home. She leads as CEO of Kading, a family-owned company rooted in Urbandale since 1977 that develops, builds, and manages affordable housing in central Iowa. Karie is the past president of CREW Iowa an organization supporting women in commercial real estate, a member of the Urbandale Endow board, and a member of the Urbandale Economic Advisory. She served as a board member of the Iowa chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where she was named their 2018 Woman of the Year.

Kathleen Riessen, Farrell?s Martial Arts

Kathleen is an executive strategist and trainer with Canoan Strategy, and President of the Endow Urbandale Community Foundation Board. She owns Farrell?s Martial Arts, the 2022 Urbandale Small Business of the Year, and hosts "The Kathleen Riessen Show" podcast. Kathleen is a certified Master Leader and mentor for Boston Breakthrough Academy's Mastering Leadership Program, a Leadership Iowa graduate, and former CPA. 

Lilian Okech, Cleaning for Hope

Lilian Okech is an author, speaker, and owner of Cleaning for Hope, a Des Moines-based commercial cleaning service that hires and supports refugee families. Born in a refugee camp in Uganda, she came to the U.S. with her family in 2005, and faced struggles as a refugee and in an abusive arranged marriage. Okech is also the co-founder of the nonprofit Hope to Shine, which focuses on job training and mentorship opportunities for female immigrants and refugees.

Renee Hardman, Broadlawns Medical Center

Renee Hardman is Broadlawns Medical Center's first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and VP of HR. She has an MBA and SPHR certification, and made history as the first African American woman elected to the West Des Moines City Council. Renee has also served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa and Senior VP of HR at Bankers Trust.

Wendi Fredregill, In2It Digital

After 24 years of being a confidence booster and making people feel good on the outside as a hairstylist, Wendi felt a strong calling to shift careers and focus on helping others to feel good on the inside! As a mindset coach, Wendi helped women gain the confidence to be the CEO of their own life. Now as President & CEO of In2it Digital, Wendi passionately advocates for entrepreneurs, small businesses, companies, and nonprofits who are looking to amplify their results