STATEment Makers

STATEMENT MAKERS 2022

Iowa STATEment Makers is an honor that recognizes the early personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to society of Iowa State University's young alumni (graduates 34 years of age and under). Among the 2022 class you’ll find trailblazers, tech catalysts, public health professionals, innovators, and scientists.

MEGAN BRANDT* (‘12 journalism), Des Moines, Iowa

Trailblazer and catalyst for technology innovation, Megan Brandt is the program manager at the world’s first startup accelerator aimed at the insurance industry, the Global Insurance Accelerator. Brandt is responsible for bridging the gaps in early-stage start-ups’ access to mentorship, education, and investment opportunities. Fifty-eight global early-stage start-ups have participated in the accelerator and collectively raised over $125 million in additional capital.

COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE:

The world would be a better place if … “we looked for the best in each person.”

MASSAH MASSAQUOI (‘12 psychology), Boston, Massachusetts

Massah Massaquoi is an experienced public health professional with a passion for reducing health disparities among vulnerable populations. Massaquoi demonstrates expertise in project management and evaluation for national and local initiatives focused on the impacts and outcomes of social determinants of health in urban and rural communities. In addition to her degree from Iowa State, she earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she continued her work to support communities through education, research, advocacy, and community mobilization.

MORGANN MCCOY (‘13 apparel merchandising, design, and product), Belleville, Wisconsin

Morgann McCoy – founder of small business and lifestyle brand A Well Worn Story – designs, patterns, and crafts leather goods in her Wisconsin-based studio. McCoy co-hosts a retreat in the Northwoods of Wisconsin with fellow entrepreneurs to assist women in starting and growing their own businesses and recently opened a storefront in New Glarus, Wisconsin, where she features her own handcrafted leather goods along with other high quality, locally made goods.

FAVORITE MEMORY:

“My favorite memories at ISU were created with the African Student Association (ASA). There were so many activities and opportunities for me and other students to learn about people, food, and culture across the diaspora … This group of students and staff brought so much fun, love, and aptitude to my college experience.”

FAVORITE APP:

“I have an embarrassing amount of Pinterest boards. It is a beautiful tool for a creative mind like mine to organize my dreams and design ideas into categories. It is so easy to share with others, too.”

CLAYTON MOONEY (‘12 English), Ames, Iowa

Growing up on a family farm in southeast Iowa, Clayton Mooney has always had a high appreciation for food technology and supply chains. In 2014, Mooney co-founded his first company, KinoSol, which manufactures solarfood dehydrators for farmers in developing countries. Mooney’s second co-founded company, Nebullam, is an indoor farming company located in Ames. When not building food technology companies, Mooney competes in ultra-marathon trail races throughout the country.

FAVORITE MEMORY:

“Walking into the library after a boxing practice, to meet a group of global resource systems majors who wanted to focus on food security. That group of talented women became fellow co-founders of KinoSol, my first food tech company. One of them later became my wife, Mikayla.”

BETH NERVIG (‘10 int studies, journalism & mass comm, world languages & cultures), Seattle, Washington

Beth Nervig applies her journalistic skills and global knowledge in her work for Girl Up, teaching girls who live in 130 different countries skills to advance access to education, health, safety, and equality. Nervig travels internationally, meeting with club members and documenting their stories. One such production was a joint video series with Disney called “Dream Big, Princess,” chronicling the stories of female trailblazers around the world.

ROLE MODEL:

“An ISU teacher who was a role model to me was Barbara Mack (‘74 journalism and mass communications), who was the perfect combination of tough love and humor. She inspired me to stay in the journalism program, and I wish I could tell her what an impact she had on my life.” Mack passed away in 2012.

LINDSEY WIEMER (‘10 biology), Des Moines, Iowa

Lindsey Wiemer develops new solutions through science at Corteva Agriscience, creating and executing Good Laboratory Practice compliant insect testing procedures to support global regulatory product submissions. As part of the Insect-Active Protein Discovery Team, she leads an evolution in insect testing to harness laboratory automation. Wiemer promotes engagement as part of Corteva’s women’s network, as a United Way business champion, and she’s helping relaunch an on-campus community garden.

FAVORITE MEMORY:

“My third year I participated in a biology course that culminated in a weeklong adventure into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It was an amazing trip, with amazing people, and was a catalyst igniting a love of the outdoors.”

ALEX CONNOR (‘19 journalism), Washington, D.C.

Alex Connor uses her passion for journalism and audience engagement as a social content producer for The Associated Press. Formerly with USA TODAY’s audience team, Connor played an integral role in communicating USA TODAY’s coverage of the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic online. She also served as editor of audience development for USA TODAY, where she contributed to multiple newsletters and helped develop video strategy on its core social platforms.

WHAT DOES IOWA STATE MEAN TO YOU?

“Iowa State is where I was able to find and define myself. My career is thanks to the Iowa State Daily, my professors, and my fellow classmates who believed in me and taught me everything I know.”

READ MORE

Read more about this year’s STATEment Makers or nominate a worthy Cyclone online at www.ISUalum.org/StatementMakers. Nomination deadline is Dec. 1.