Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Tag @CityofCR on your Instagram stories during the event and receive a "Best Tasting Water In Iowa" water bottle for participating! Head to the registration table to show your post and claim your prize. Limit 1 bottle per attendee while supplies last from 9 AM–2 PM Wednesday, October 2.
9 AM Registration & Check-In
9:30 AM Mayor's Opening Remarks: Welcome is Our Language
9:40 AM Morning Keynote: Find Your Polish
BREAKOUTS: SESSION 1
10:15 AM A Collegiate Path
College Prep 101 Panel B Pave Your Own Path From Idea to Impact: An Entrepreneurial Journey
11:05 AM Financial Wellness Keynote
11:25 AM Lunch
12:15 PM Group Photo
12:20 PM Form of Government Overview
BREAKOUTS: SESSION 2
12:35 PM A Collegiate Path Student Engagement 101 Panel
Your Own Path Learning from Local Entrepreneurs Panel
Path Next Steps: Local Employers & Job Opportunities Panel
1:25 PM Afternoon Keynote: Make the Most of Your Fifth Season Panel
1:55 PM Mayor's Closing Remarks
2:30 PM Buses Depart
Mayor's Opening Remarks & Morning Keynote
9:30–10:10 AM
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Breakout Session 1 10:15–11 AM
Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell
City of Cedar Rapids
Opening Remarks: "Welcome is Our Language"
Morning Keynote: "Find Your Polish"
All attendees will join the Mayor for a session on presenting your best self in job interviews, presentations, and networking events.
Collegiate Path
Location: Whipple Auditorium
College Prep 101 Panel
HOST: Sara Buck, Housing Services Manager, City of Cedar Rapids
PANELISTS: Morgan Schmall, Director of Operations, Women Lead Change | Destini Robertson, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Coe College | Britt Morey, Marketing and Communications Vice President, ICAN East Central Iowa Student Success Center | Anita Kopanski, Student, Coe College | Clay Stoffer, Guidance Counselor, College Community School District
Applying to college and getting accepted is one thing, but what can students do now to make sure they're prepared before getting on campus? We're here to help. These panelists will explain the ins and outs of how students can prepare for their first year at college and how to break through barriers to get ahead and succeed.
Pave Your Own Path
Location: Beems 1
From Idea to Impact: An Entrepreneurial Journey
Malia Gudenkauf, Founder and CEO, Little Miss Finance; Adjunct Instructor, Kirkwood Community College
This local educator, creator, and entrepreneur partners with businesses and organizations to bring financial wellbeing resources to employees, educates her students in Business Math & Calculators at Kirkwood Community College, and provides helpful tips and tricks to all things personal finance through social media platforms as Little Miss Finance. Learn about Malia's path to entrepreneurship and prepare for your financial future in this informative and fun session!
Breakout
Session 1
10:15–11 AM
Financial Wellness
Keynote
11:05 AM–11:25 AM
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Lunch
11:25 AM–12:10 PM
BEEMS 1 & 2
EXHIBIT HALL
MAKER ROOM
Group Photo
12:15–12:20 PM
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Form of Government Overview
12:20–12:30 PM
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Employment Path Location: Beems 2
Find Your Career Fit: Assessment & Workshop
Danielle Ebaugh, Career Services Supervisor, Kirkwood Community College
Attendees will take a brief career assessment that will utilize their skills and results to determine which future career paths align best with their interests. Then, learn more about the career paths and various industries Cedar Rapids has to offer.
Malia Gudenkauf
Founder and CEO, Little Miss Finance; Adjunct Instructor, Kirkwood Community College
All attendees will learn how to better define their version of success after this presentation on key financial literacy tips for teens.
Grab a lunch box and enjoy your food in Beems Auditorium, on the LivingLearning rooftop, or in our Exhibit Hall! Please let our team know if you have a dietary restriction so we can provide you with the correct meal. Students are encouraged to spend extra lunch time exploring the library, visiting the exhibit tables, checking out the library's Maker Room, and networking with other attendees and speakers.
Get your merch on! It's time to rock your Mayor's Youth Conference t-shirt for a group snapshot!
Angie Charipar
Assistant City Manager, City of Cedar Rapids
All attendees will receive a brief lesson in the functions of local government, how elected officials influence City policy, and how decisions are made in the Council-Manager form of government.
Breakout Session 2
12:35–1:20 PM
Collegiate Path
Location: Whipple Auditorium
Student Engagement 101 Panel
HOST: Brian Ruffles, Aquatics Program Supervisor, City of Cedar Rapids and Aquatics Coach, Coe College
PANELISTS: Zeinab Osman, Community Engagement Specialist, College Community School District | Seth Vander Tuig, Director of Student Life, Kirkwood Community College | Mya Whittenbaugh, Student, Kirkwood Community College | Keara McGuire, Student, Mt. Mercy University
Attendees will witness a new panel of speakers discussing all the ways they can get involved in their new community while balancing school, jobs, new friends, and more. City employees and representatives from area colleges will talk all things student employment, internships, organizations, athletics, and nearby recreational activities.
Pave Your Own Path
Location: Beems 1
Learning from Local Entrepreneurs Panel
HOST: Kaitlin Byers, Capital Access Manager, NewBoCo and Kiva Iowa
PANELISTS: Sydney Rieckhoff, Owner, Almost Famous Popcorn
Emily Stochl, VP of Remake; Curator, Creator, Advocate Lincoln Ginsberg, Musician
This is a moderated panel of local entrepreneurs with varying businesses. How did they get started? What advice do they have? Why did they open up shop in Cedar Rapids and stay here? Hosted by a representative from NewBoCo who will help showcase opportunities for entrepreneurs and local businesses to find support.
Breakout Session 2
12:35–1:20 PM
Keynote Panel 1:25–1:55 PM
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Employment Path
Location: Beems 2
Next Steps: Local Employers & Job Opportunities Panel
HOST: Danielle Ebaugh, Career Services Supervisor, Kirkwood Community College
PANELISTS: Kaly Etten, Director of Talent Acquisition, CRST | Teri Myers, NSS Knowledge & Engagement Leader, BAE Systems | Maddie Pride, Talent Acquisition Specialist, TrueNorth Companies | Mike Sadler II, Business Manager, Built By Pros Construction | Alanna Barker, Director of Talent Acquisition, Mercy Medical Center
Attendees will learn from a panel of employers from several of Cedar Rapids' largest industries, with a discussion based on the Session 1 assessment. Session will conclude with time to network with the panelists.
"Make the Most of Your Fifth Season" Panel Discussion
MODERATOR: Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell, City of Cedar Rapids
PANELISTS: Bill Micheel, Development Services Director, City of Cedar Rapids | Christian Francois, Housing & Group Services Manager, Cedar Rapids Tourism | Jade Ploessl, Corridor Regional Manager, Women Lead Change
In this final session of the day, all attendees will reconvene in Whipple Auditorium to learn what make Cedar Rapids the "City of Five Seasons" – and how they can spend their fifth season here as young adults now and in the future. The last 10 minutes will be saved for Q&A from the audience.
Mayor's Closing Remarks 1:55–2 PM
WHIPPLE AUDITORIUM
Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell City of Cedar Rapids
Tiffany has been an active leader in our community for the past 23 years. She has been involved in organizations across the city focusing on building women leaders, helping communities in need, growing our arts and culture and growing our business community.
In addition to being sworn in as Mayor of Cedar Rapids in 2022, Tiffany is the Chief Executive Officer at Women Lead Change. Since joining the organization in 2015, she has led the expansion of the organization’s scope and reach, most recently reflecting that growth through a brand change. The organization, formerly called Iowa Women Lead Change, is now Women Lead Change. Under Tiffany's leadership, the Iowa-based team is now in five locations with offices in the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Des Moines, and Sioux Falls, SD.
Tiffany is the mother of two daughters and has been married to her husband Michael for 32 years. She enjoys cooking — her family was recently featured in Family Dinner with Chef Andrew Zimmern on the Magnolia Network. She is also a private pilot!
Angie Charipar is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Cedar Rapids and has served the City in various roles since 2009. She supports the City Manager and City Council by providing strategic guidance on various projects and initiatives related to City operations and community engagement.
She provides oversight to the Building Services and Parks & Recreation departments, Communications and Transit divisions, Organizational Health initiative, Sustainability program, Special Event permit process, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. She also works with State and Federal legislators to secure funding and policy initiatives favorable to the City of Cedar Rapids, developing a legislative agenda for the Mayor and City Council, and managing State and Federal lobbyists.
Charipar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2023. She has earned the recognition of the Iowa City Management Association’s Emerging Leader Award (2017), Corridor Business Journal Women of Influence Award (2018), and HER Women of Achievement Award (2024). Previous work includes 10 years in Congressman Jim Leach’s office and as AEGON’s Political Action Committee Grassroots Manager.
Malia is the founder of Little Miss Finance, a modern financial education organization. At the heart of Malia's approach is her commitment to banishing financial jargon and breaking down complex concepts into relatable, everyday language. As a speaker, 1:1 coach, and social media content creator, she delivers personal finance education that helps individuals feel more confident and equipped in achieving their financial goals.
Bill Micheel has served as the Director of Economic and Development Services since 2023. Prior to returning to the City of Cedar Rapids, Bill was a Vice-President and Senior Planning Consultant with WSP USA working primarily in transportation and land use policy. Bill also previously served as the Asst. Director of Community Development and Planning for the City of Cedar Rapids between 2015 and 2021. While holding the position of Asst. Director, Bill also served as the Manager of the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization starting in December of 2016.
A diverse background working on site-specific and regional projects allows Bill to bring a broad perspective to City projects and collaborations with regional partners. Bill has managed projects including comprehensive plans, land use planning and policy, transportation planning and policy, brownfields redevelopment, and natural resource management. Bill has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource and Forest Management from Iowa State University and an Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa.
Christian Francois is the Housing & Group Services Manager at the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office. Cedar Rapids Tourism markets the area as a destination for leisure tourism, as well as conventions, meetings, and sporting events. Their office focuses on being an economic driver for hotels, attractions, restaurants and local businesses.
A large part of Christian’s role is ensuring groups feel welcome in our community by providing them information on our local restaurants and attractions while they’re in town. Born and raised right here in Cedar Rapids, Christian excels in offering visitors insight on how great our community truly is.
Christian graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural Business and Animal Science. If he wasn’t in class or working in the calf barn at the Iowa State University Dairy & Research Barn, he was volunteering for a cookout with the Agricultural Business Club, planning the Block & Bridle Club horse show, or on the court with the Men’s Volleyball club team. Throughout college, Christian was heavily involved with Equine Management, traveling all over the country interning and working horse shows.
As an equestrian himself, he found to keep this as his hobby. After graduation he worked at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort as a Travel Host, which is where he found his interest in hospitality. In addition to his job at Cedar Rapids Tourism, he is in his second year serving on the Advisory Board with ImpactCR. If he’s not at the office or networking with young professionals, you can find him at the barn riding his horse or hanging out with family and friends.
Jade Ploessl currently works at Women Lead Change as the Corridor Regional Manager. You may know Women Lead Change by its hallmark annual conferences that bring in world-class speakers and newsmakers. However, Women Lead Change has grown into so much more than an annual conference funding critical research, facilitating strategic leadership development programs like Women Connect and the EPIC Corporate Challenge, creating the Women of Achievement Bridge Awards and, most recently, launching a 12-month leadership intensive called the Ascent Leadership Program.
In addition to her job at WLC, she is going on her fifth season as the assistant track and cross country coach at Cedar Rapids High School. Jade also runs her own business, Romagna Performance, LLC where she works as certified mental skills coach contracting with various collegiate sports teams and individuals assisting athletes in gaining confidence, present moment focus and overcoming mental blocks in order to reach their peak performance.
Jade is a native of Dubuque, IA, and a graduate of the University of Dubuque with degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. While at the University of Dubuque, she was a member of the cross country and track teams where she still holds various school records. Forgoing her final year of eligibility in athletics, Jade focused her energy competing on the mediation team, twice achieving All-American honors. Her success in the program was further rewarded with her published independent research on "The Socioeconomic vs. Racial Impact of Driving Under Suspension."
Outside of work, Jade is actively involved in her community and proudly serves on the ImpactCR board. Although her proudest is being a wife to her husband Corbin and Mom to her one year old Cruz and baby #2 on the way.
During lunch, from 11:25 AM–12:10 PM, apply what you've been learning with a visit to our Exhibit Hall!
Meet with representatives from local colleges and universities, and discover how to connect to City jobs and community volunteer opportunities. Our Exhibit Hall is an information hub and place to pave your way to a thriving future in Cedar Rapids.
Founded in 1851, Coe College is a nationally recognized four-year private college. Here you'll build relationships in the classroom, stack professional experiences, and become part of a nurturing and lively downtown campus environment.
Kirkwood Community College is proud to have served the needs of students in Eastern Iowa for more than a half century. As the area’s leading provider of accessible, affordable, and exceptional education and training, Kirkwood provides expertise and leadership that help students reach their full potential in their future careers.
Since 1928, Mount Mercy University has offered students a fulfilling education — promising people of all backgrounds a solid preparation for a changing world — in careers focused on service, ethical leadership, and social responsibility. Our students come from around the globe, creating a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming campus community.
Discover exciting job opportunities that contribute to our city's continued growth and development. Explore positions that align with your career aspirations and be part of the dynamic future of our hometown.
