Des Moines Business Record

10/31/2025

Kristi Kaye Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Athene has been named the 2025 Dentons Human Resources Professional of the Year.

She sat down recently with the Business Record to talk about leadership, family and the value in making mistakes.

https://www.businessrecord.com/meet-2025-dentons-hr-professional-of-the-year-kristi-kaye-burma/

10/31/2025

Thanks to everyone who attended our final Power Breakfast event of the year yesterday morning. Panelists discussed a record rise in executive changes and how it will reshape community leadership and influence in Des Moines. A special thanks to our event sponsors who make the series possible, Bankers Trust Company, Forvis Mazars Group and Lean TECHniques

10/30/2025

10/30/2025

Aime Wichtendahl made history when she was elected to the Hiawatha City Council and became the first openly transgender elected official in Iowa in 2015.

She made history again when she was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and became the state’s first openly transgender lawmaker.

She was then a part of history once more when Iowa became the first state to remove gender identity from its Civil Rights Act. In her first term, she spoke against a bill she felt directly targeted people just like her.

In our Fearless annual edition, she sat down with Fearless to share what it was like to experience the passing of that law and her hopes for the future of Iowa. https://fearlessbr.com/its-my-responsibility-to-fight-for-them-rep-aime-wichtendahl-on-fighting-anti-trans-legislation/

10/29/2025

Angela Franklin believes in remaining open to unexpected opportunities and going after what you want.

The Des Moines University president is the Business Record's 2025 Women of Influence Alum of the Year.

Learn more about her in our recent Q&A: https://fearlessbr.com/women-of-influence-alum-of-the-year-collaborative-leadership-and-empowering-others-helps-angela-franklin-build-a-lasting-impact/

10/28/2025

SPONSORED CONTENT: Business Insights: Check out the latest blog by Bolster BizDev : Powerful Prospecting: A Live-Coached Training Experience.

Have you ever dreaded picking up the phone, crafting a cold email, or sliding into a prospect’s DM? You’re not alone. A SalesHacker survey found that 30% of sales reps avoid making cold calls because of fear of rejection, while 18% cite a lack of confidence as the primary reason. Fear of rejecti...

10/28/2025

Disruption is here, and it's transforming industries fast.

Focus, empathy and adaptability will help leaders move fast while building strength and creating positive, lasting impact.

Read more in Suzanna de Baca's "On Leadership" column: https://www.businessrecord.com/on-leadership-how-to-move-fast-without-breaking-your-business/

10/24/2025

If you have ever been plagued by PROSPECTING PARALYSIS, you are not alone!

🤒 Symptoms include research rabbit holes and inbox distraction.
🦠 Contagion frequently affects those in account management mode.
🩺 Effective antidotes are available.
⚠️ Ignoring treatment will kill pipeline progress.

Want the full prescription? Registration for Bolster BizDev Powerful Prospecting is now open at https://bolsterbizdev.com/powerful-prospecting/.

💡 PROGRESSIVE 4-PART SERIES

Des Moines | February 6, 13, 20, 27

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Virtual | Jan 14

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10/24/2025

A changing of the guard is underway in Central Iowa — and it’s happening at a record pace. Some in the community may have detected the recent increase in retirements and the variety of other departures, new hires and newly created roles across the region. Leadership transition is nothing new, but as long-time leaders step back and new faces take the helm of key organizations in Greater Des Moines, the community as a whole will need to navigate both the opportunities and challenges that presents. During our last Power Breakfast of 2025, a panel of business and community leaders will reflect on the history and culture of community leadership in Des Moines and the collective effects of widespread leadership transition on regional collaboration, community involvement and philanthropy.

REGISTER TODAY to join us Thursday, Oct. 30 https://ow.ly/fVus50X9opf

10/24/2025

Five years of Fearless.

With just a few news sources dedicated to telling stories about women's and gender issues and even fewer that focus on local coverage, Business Record is proud to produce a weekly newsletter, share vulnerable and powerful stories in print and host inspiring events like we did yesterday. Thank you to our speakers, attendees and sponsors who gathered to celebrate five years of Fearless, 500+ stories and our future coverage of stories that help women succeed in work and life.

Check out the stories in this year's Fearless annual edition at https://www.fearlessbr.com. Photos by Duane Tinkey.

10/24/2025

SPONSORED CONTENT: From a developer's lens, Urbandale's systems are built to enable the next project, not repeat the last one. The city's downtown master plan is guiding core revitalization.

Read more in the latest Urbandale FORWARD post from the City of Urbandale, Iowa: https://www.businessrecord.com/beware-of-the-half-truth-you-may-have-gotten-the-wrong-half/

10/24/2025

Five years ago, the Business Record launched Fearless.

Our goal is simple: We want to empower Iowa women to succeed in work and life. Through our weekly e-newsletter, ongoing print features and events, we have worked to live up to our mission. We could not do this work without Iowans being willing to share their stories and audience members who care very deeply.

To celebrate the initiative’s birthday, we publish an annual collection of profiles of fearless Iowa women in the print edition of the Business Record and on the Fearless website.

Read about the six women featured in this year's Fearless publication: https://www.businessrecord.com/meet-6-inspiring-iowa-women-in-this-years-fearless-publication/