Transforming Women and VGM
VGM’s Women in Leadership (WIL) is a strategic program with the purpose to support, motivate, and empower women.
Our mission is to foster a strong network in support of professional women.
LEADERSHIP
TRACI MCCAUSLAND
Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach | Follow Your Strengths
WIL Program Facilitator
IRINA HAGEMAN
Program Underwriter | VGM Insurance
WIL Chair
KELSI GERHOLDT
Health and Safety Program Manager | VGM Fulfillment
WIL Incoming Chair
LEAH HOMEISTER
Senior Director of Project Management Office | Corporate IT
WIL Champion of Outreach
AMANDA BOVY
Director of Operations | HOMELINK
WIL Champion of Communication
WENDY FROST
Senior Account Executive | VGM Forbin
WIL Champion of Membership Engagement
MEMBERS
MADISON “MADEE” BOSS
Talent Partner │ Human Capital
Family: My husband Jonathon and I live in Dike, Iowa, with our chocolate labrador retriever puppy named Cozee. Pets are family to me! Jon and I got married in 2021. We met at Iowa State University where we both went to college. Go Cyclones!
Hobbies: Kayaking, reading, watching HGTV and Food Network, cooking/trying new recipes, gardening, and anything that allows me to spend time with my dog, friends, or family
Inspiration: I get inspiration from many of the people that I surround myself with—my coworkers, team, friends, family members, and leaders especially. I also find nature and the outdoors, especially on or near a body of water, to be a place where I feel relaxed and recharged.
HALEY DAHL
Customer Experience Specialist │ VGM Insurance Formerly: HOMELINK
Family: My partner Cody and I have been together since 2019. We have a 2-yearold son, Leo, together, as well as two dogs and two cats. They keep our house busy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Hobbies: I enjoy crafts, cooking, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with others and/or animals.
Inspiration: I draw my inspiration from several different areas including my son, nature, faith, family, and good friends/mentors.
DENISE DOYLE
Membership Account Manager │ VGM & Associates
Formerly: VGM Club
Family: I am a proud mom of four daughters. Alexa is my oldest, followed by Megan, Ashley, and then my youngest Kaitlin. All four of them either plan to or currently work in the medical field. We also have a family dog named Rosie who is a Jack Russell terrier.
Hobbies: I like to spend time with my family and friends, travel, golf, shop, and walk my dog Rosie.
Inspiration: I draw my inspiration from my parents and family.
HILLARY FERRY
Executive Director, Digital Marketing Solutions │ Two Rivers Marketing
Family: I live in Des Moines with my husband Adam, our two kids Azure (8) and Zayn (7), and our dog Dash.
Hobbies: I like Midcentury design and (slowly) remodeling our 1955 home. I also enjoy live music, being outdoors (biking, walking, hiking), and being a soccer and gymnastics mom.
Inspiration: I draw my inspiration from everywhere around me. I love pop culture and staying on top of the latest trends, whether it’s music, fashion, or digital marketing.
MEMBERS KELLY GRAHOVAC
General Manager │ The van Halem Group
Family: My husband and I share one child, a 7-year-old daughter, and we have two from his first marriage, a 20-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. My stepson lives with us, in addition to my daughter and husband.
Hobbies: We live on the lake, so we are on the boat a LOT in the warm months. I also enjoy paddleboarding, hiking with my girlfriends, yoga, cooking and trying new restaurants, and spending time with my daughter and her activities (theater, gymnastics, and guitar).
Inspiration: I’m inspired by my friends and colleagues, as well as my family.
CHARLOTTE HAMPE
Manager, HES, DI, and HTN │ HOMELINK
Family: My husband Daniel and I have been married for five years, and we just welcomed our first born son Huxley (Hux) into the family in August 2024! We also have 3 cats: Mao, Lincoln, and Sass.
Hobbies: I love to thrift, drink coffee, and watch a good show with my husband. I can’t wait for all the fun things to come with Hux as he gets older as well!
Inspiration: I draw my inspiration from other leaders around me by working with them, asking them questions, and observing what I can take away for myself from their leadership style. I also love listening to or going to workshops and speakers, and I love the “Plucking Up” podcast by Liz Bohannon.
WHITNEY HORRAS
Project Manager │ Redstone Content Solutions
Family: My fiancé Dalton and I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with our goldendoodle Rhett.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy CrossFit, travel, and spending time with family and friends.
Inspiration: Collaboration—I am most inspired when I’m around others who are actively trying to achieve new goals. And I love new opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone and being around people who will help me do so.
JILLIAN HUSER
Marketing Coordinator │ United Publications
Family: I have a fiancé Cedric (we get married in November 2024), and two golden retrievers, Berkley and Cedar.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, playing games (I’m very competitive), and being on the water.
Inspiration: I draw inspiration from my family, books, and nature.
MEMBERS
AMANDA
MORRIS
Account Manager │ VGM Forbin
Family: We live on an acreage near Fairbank and run a funny farm with two boys ages 10 and 12, two dogs, four cats, a painter turtle, 20+ chickens, and goats soon.
Hobbies: When I’m not working and driving my kids around, we do a lot of home projects and spend time outside. I enjoy cooking and started sourdough bread baking last fall. I also love reading books on my Kindle while I’m waiting for practices.
Inspiration: I am an information seeker and lifelong learner. I seek inspiration from books, online platforms, and other individuals who carry a different perspective than myself.
AMANDA NUGENT
Associate Scrum Master │ VGM Fulfillment
Formerly: VGM Technologies, HOMELINK, and IT
Family: My husband Nick loves golfing and gardening, and once swore he’d never have pets—life had other plans. We have a dog, Duke, and our newest family member is Ruby. We found her as a kitten, and now she thinks she’s a dog! And let’s not forget the best, Caleb, our 4-year-old son who is obsessed with spiders and can’t stop doing the Macarena dance.
Hobbies: I enjoy walking trails with my dog, roller skating, rock hounding, watercolor, and painting.
Inspiration: I find inspiration in personal experiences, nature, travel, and new environments.
ANNA OPENSHAW
Project Manager │ Corporate IT
Formerly: Redstone Content Solutions
Family: I got married summer 2023 to my husband Gabriel and have two kids, Haleigh, 18, and Ben, 14. We have two cats, Cleo and Camille.
Hobbies: I love to travel and to see/do new things. I also like watching my kids play sports, hiking in the mountains, crocheting, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.
Inspiration: I draw inspiration from my family, namely my kids. I want to show them not only how to do hard things, but that happiness and success can look different for each individual.
BRENDA PIMENTEL
Outbound Supervisor │ VGM Fulfillment
Family: I have a lovely husband, Jose. I met him 12 years ago in New York.
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband, traveling, and enjoying a good meal.
Inspiration: I have the best mom ever; she is always there for me. Both of my parents raised me with a great enthusiasm. My husband is a person that always inspired me. He is the bravest person I have ever meet; he is never scared of new things, and he always welcomes change with positivity. He encourages me to do my best and to always be willing to learn new things.
MEMBERS SARAH SCHARNHORST
Operations Manager │ HOMELINK
Family: I’m married to my husband Cory, and we have two children: Owyn, 5, and Peyton, 3.
Hobbies: I love spending time with family and friends, being creative, and enjoying the outdoors.
Inspiration: I am inspired by mentors/leaders, podcasts, team, books, and personal goals.
ANN THOMAS
Manager of Learning and Development │ Human Capital
Family: I have three boys: Camden, Joshua and Colten. Camden works here as a lead in Corp. Dev. I also have my sweet Winnie, a springer spaniel.
Hobbies: I like to cycle, craft cocktails, bake, read, and hike.
Inspiration: Oh, so many places.... I have an educator’s heart and find inspiration in the art of instructional design and presenting with purpose. I really nerd out when researching topics and often find myself down the rabbit hole. I also draw inspiration from nature. I’ve always said my soul rests when I’m in a forest. My family inspires me as well.
DANIELLE WEBER
Operations Manager │ HOMELINK
Family: My family consists of my parents, Denis and Ann, who reside in Jesup, Iowa. I have a little brother who has a wife named Brennah. They have three children— Paisley, Claire, and Dawson—and one on the way. I also have a large extended family I like to spend time with.
Hobbies: I love to read, hang out with friends, travel, check off items on my bucket list, and listen to music. I am a huge Swiftie!
Inspiration: I draw inspiration from people’s stories and an opportunity to problem solve. I also like to collaborate with others.
WIL ALUMNI
Amanda Weber
Alexis Nielsen
Amanda Bovy
Amber Brauner
Anna Kilburg
Arienne Martinez
Bailey Ronnebaum
Barbara Anderson
Bari Richter
Beth Streicher
Brooke Kraft
Brynn Prier
Casee Boose
Casey Feller
Cassi Price
Christa Miehe
Christina Throndson
Christy Pospisil
Cindy Diehl Yang
Darian Schmit
Debbie Kline
Desiree Trimble
Emily Harken
Emily McCormack
Emily Southall
Francis Castro
Grace Opperman
Heather Johnson
Heather Seevell
Heather Trumm
Heidi Evans
Irina Hageman
Jackie Wagner
Jamie Fisher
Jamie Schmitz
Janean Craig
Jen Gilbert
Jennifer McDonald
Jenny Hughes
Jessica Veren
Jill Blaser
Jill Waddle
Jill Westrum
Kara Harris
Kathy Hart
Katie Maynes
Katie Morris
Kayla Mahler
Kelsey Burke
Kelsey Wedemeier
Kelsi Gerholdt
Kim Bemus
Kim Rogers
Krista McNurlen
Lauren Crawford
Leah Homeister
Linda Braden
Lindy Tentinger
Liz Beaulieu
Lizzie Kelly
MacKenzie Epping
Madison Buzynski
Mandi Joyner
Mariellys Gutierrez
Megan Joachim
Melanie Tournier
Michele Jensen
Miranda Gerdes
Misty Kelly
Molly Chicchelly
Molly Schmehl
Molly Wilson
Monica Rogan
Nahkia Mohorne
Nicole Jensen
Noelle Lomas
Paige Ribble
Raquel Ita
Renee Steffen
Samantha Doering
Sara Laures
Sara Lewis
Sarah Conger
Shalini Douglas
Shanon Eckhardt
Shauna Anderson
Shelby Graveman
Stephanie Mangrich
Taylor Pinero
Tera O’Hare
Wendy Frost
Wendy Harris