Keynote Speaker
Joe Gerstandt
Joe Gerstandt brings a new clarity and a fresh energy to diversity and inclusion work.
Joe has worked with Fortune 500 corporations, small non-profits, and everything in between. He speaks at numerous conferences and summits, and blogs at joegerstandt.com. He is a featured contributor for the Workforce Diversity Network Expert Forum and his insights have been published in Diversity Best Practices, Diversity Executive, HR Executive, The Diversity Factor, The American Diversity Report, the Corporate Recruiting Leadership Journal, Associations Now and other print and on-line journals.
He co-authored the book Social Gravity: Harnessing the Natural Laws of Relationships, and serves on the board of directors for the Global Diversity and Inclusion Foundation, the Talent Management Human Capital Executive Research Board, the Chief Learning Officer Business Intelligence Board and the HR Examiner Advisory Board.
Joe grew up on a family farm in NW Iowa, served four years in the United States Marine Corps, including participation in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, attended Iowa State University and then spent 6 years working in management and business development for technology and communication companies. He then made a career change and went to work for a grassroots non-profit organization where he found himself drawn to issues related to diversity and inclusion and then became actively involved in that work.
Today, Joe is a strong advocate for resetting the diversity and inclusion conversation, and believes that we can ill afford to continue applying a 20th century approach to an increasingly critical set of 21st century issues. His keynote messages and interactive workshops bring greater clarity, new perspectives and fresh energy to diversity and inclusion work.
Joe lives in Omaha, Nebraska (the middle of everywhere) with his patient, kind, patient, loving and patient wife, two daughters, a son, a dog, a frog, and a guinea pig.
Joe Gerstandt brings a new clarity and a fresh energy to diversity and inclusion work.
Joe has worked with Fortune 500 corporations, small non-profits, and everything in between. He speaks at numerous conferences and summits, and blogs at joegerstandt.com. He is a featured contributor for the Workforce Diversity Network Expert Forum and his insights have been published in Diversity Best Practices, Diversity Executive, HR Executive, The Diversity Factor, The American Diversity Report, the Corporate Recruiting Leadership Journal, Associations Now and other print and on-line journals.
He co-authored the book Social Gravity: Harnessing the Natural Laws of Relationships, and serves on the board of directors for the Global Diversity and Inclusion Foundation, the Talent Management Human Capital Executive Research Board, the Chief Learning Officer Business Intelligence Board and the HR Examiner Advisory Board.
Joe grew up on a family farm in NW Iowa, served four years in the United States Marine Corps, including participation in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, attended Iowa State University and then spent 6 years working in management and business development for technology and communication companies. He then made a career change and went to work for a grassroots non-profit organization where he found himself drawn to issues related to diversity and inclusion and then became actively involved in that work.
Today, Joe is a strong advocate for resetting the diversity and inclusion conversation, and believes that we can ill afford to continue applying a 20th century approach to an increasingly critical set of 21st century issues. His keynote messages and interactive workshops bring greater clarity, new perspectives and fresh energy to diversity and inclusion work.
Joe lives in Omaha, Nebraska (the middle of everywhere) with his patient, kind, patient, loving and patient wife, two daughters, a son, a dog, a frog, and a guinea pig.
Event Emcee
Scott Siepker
Scott Siepker is the host of the Emmy nominated Iowa Outdoors on Iowa Public Television and adjunct professor of acting at Drake University. Scott got his acting start on stage at Iowa State University, where he also received his bachelor of science in psychology. Scott has gone on to act in dozens of plays, commercials, and miscellaneous live events. Scott was the star of the Webby Honoree viral video Iowa Nice, which was produced by the film company he is a founding member of, Iowa Filmmakers. With the follow ups Cyclone and Hawkeye Nice, ESPN took note and Scott played the character of the "Iowa Nice Guy" on College Football Daily for two seasons.
Scott Siepker is the host of the Emmy nominated Iowa Outdoors on Iowa Public Television and adjunct professor of acting at Drake University. Scott got his acting start on stage at Iowa State University, where he also received his bachelor of science in psychology. Scott has gone on to act in dozens of plays, commercials, and miscellaneous live events. Scott was the star of the Webby Honoree viral video Iowa Nice, which was produced by the film company he is a founding member of, Iowa Filmmakers. With the follow ups Cyclone and Hawkeye Nice, ESPN took note and Scott played the character of the "Iowa Nice Guy" on College Football Daily for two seasons.
Breakout Session Speakers
Vada Grantham - Entrepreneurship
Vada Grantham is Chair of the Entrepreneurship Program at DMACC. He brings real world experience as a business owner. His first company was a food promotion company and currently owns a national marketing research company based in Des Moines, IA.
Over the years, his wealth of knowledge, experience and insight has brought valuable information to both students and entrepreneurs.
Vada Grantham is Chair of the Entrepreneurship Program at DMACC. He brings real world experience as a business owner. His first company was a food promotion company and currently owns a national marketing research company based in Des Moines, IA.
Over the years, his wealth of knowledge, experience and insight has brought valuable information to both students and entrepreneurs.
Tom Henricksen - Pursuing Your Passion
Tom Henricksen is a speaker and career coach who leads others to turn their dreams into plans. Throughout Tom’s career, he has learned firsthand how hard it can be to find a good career match. As a result of his trials, he’s created a simple process designed to help find a career that inspires passion, encourages optimal performance, and results in profit. Learn more about Tom by visiting his website: http://www.crackingthecareercode.com/.
Julie Vessel - Work/Life Balance
Power executive by day, married mom of three at all times. Julie has defined and led top American brands to success at some of the nation’s leading ad agencies. Yet building her teams, developing their paths, and helping her Clients reach their goals is where her true passion has always been. Recently, Julie became Director of Talent at leading advertising agency mono, where her mission is to make mono one of the most innovative, engaging workplaces in the nation. Outside of advertising, Julie is certified life coach and co-founder of the Superpower You development program and Superpower Half Hour podcast. As a life coach, she does transformational work, helping an elite handful of Clients identify their personal power and accomplish their life’s dreams. For more information on her coaching and to follow her blog, visit http://julievesselcoaching.wordpress.com.
Power executive by day, married mom of three at all times. Julie has defined and led top American brands to success at some of the nation’s leading ad agencies. Yet building her teams, developing their paths, and helping her Clients reach their goals is where her true passion has always been. Recently, Julie became Director of Talent at leading advertising agency mono, where her mission is to make mono one of the most innovative, engaging workplaces in the nation. Outside of advertising, Julie is certified life coach and co-founder of the Superpower You development program and Superpower Half Hour podcast. As a life coach, she does transformational work, helping an elite handful of Clients identify their personal power and accomplish their life’s dreams. For more information on her coaching and to follow her blog, visit http://julievesselcoaching.wordpress.com.