Our 2025 panelists.
Erika Macia’s journey is rooted in resilience and empowerment. At 17, she migrated from Mexico to California, inspired by her father's entrepreneurial spirit in a small town of Michoacán. His dedication became the foundation for her drive to succeed. In 2008, Erika met her husband, Tar Macias, CEO of Hola America Media Group. Together, they launched Hola Iowa in 2014, expanding their mission to uplift the Latino community. In 2018, they settled in West Des Moines, Iowa, where they still live with their beloved puppy, Canelo. In 2024, Erika was named Latina Publisher of the Year by the National Association of Hispanic Publications. That same year, she launched two major initiatives:
● JEFAS Latinas in Business, a magazine that’s more than a publication—it's a movement. Designed to support, connect, and empower Latina entrepreneurs, it offers resources, mentorship, and a strong community.
● The Latina Business Excellence Summit in Des Moines, which brought together 250 Latina entrepreneurs for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.
To Erika, JEFAS is about more than business—it's about legacy, collaboration, and lifting others. She believes Latina entrepreneurs are vital to innovation, economic growth, and thriving communities. "Despite facing numerous challenges, Latinas continue to emerge as formidable leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries," she says.
Erika Macias
Dr. Rachelle Keck is the 14th and first female president of Grand View University. A first-generation college student, she holds a B.A. from Wartburg College, a J.D. from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. from Drake University. Her career spans law, philanthropy, and higher education leadership - including presidencies at both Briar Cliff and Grand View.
Dr. Keck serves on multiple national, state, and local boards and is a sought-after speaker on leadership, philanthropy, and the future of education. In 2024, she was the American keynote speaker at Denmark’s historic Rebildfesten celebration.
She has been recognized as a Woman of Influence, Woman on Fire, and Pioneering President, among other honors. Her upcoming book, SelfQ™: The Intelligence of You, will be released in late 2025. She and her husband, Jim, are the proud parents of four children.
Dr. Rachelle Keck
Erin Gerlich became the sixth Executive Director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union in May of 2024. Gerlich served as associate director and sport administrator at the IGHSAU prior to assuming her Executive Director duties. She has served as the head of emerging sports and new projects, acted as a liaison for all sports medicine coordination and initiatives, and served as the sport administrator for wrestling and tennis. She has also led the IGHSAU Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
Gerlich is credited for her instrumental role in introducing girls wrestling to the state of Iowa. Her dedication and achievements were recognized in 2023 when she was honored with the Charlotte Bailey Award from the Iowa Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association, as well as the AAU Wrestling Women’s Empowerment Award. She was also the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association President from 2022-2023, being the first female to ever hold this position for the organization.
Gerlich holds a master’s degree in health promotion from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance from Iowa State University. Erin previously served as the secondary school activities director and certified athletic trainer in the Panorama Community School District. Erin, her daughter Avery, and partner Shawn reside at Lake Panorama.
Erin Gerlich
Rachel Preisser, MD is a skilled and dedicated radiologist who co-founded GRACE Breast Imaging & Medical Spa, Iowa’s only woman owned imaging center. She is board-certified and fellowship-trained in breast imaging, with over 15 years of experience in the field. Dr. Preisser also serves as Director of Breast Imaging Services for MercyOne Northeast Iowa acting as co-director of their NABPC accredited Breast Center.
Dr. Preisser completed her breast imaging fellowship at UC Health Diane O’Connor Thompson Breast Center at the University of Colorado. Prior to this, she completed both radiology residency and a musculoskeletal imaging fellowship at Allegheny Health Network and medical school at the University of Iowa.
Dr. Preisser is involved in breast cancer awareness advocacy at a state and national level. She has previously served on the board of directors for Fighting Through Kinship and was a recurring panelist in the Society of Breast Imaging Summer Series. She serves on the board of directors for the Iowa Medical Society and has previously chaired a committee for the Society of Breast Imaging.
Dr. Preisser’s favorite part of her job is connecting with her patients as a care partner. She is passionate about improving access to quality breast imaging for all Iowans. Dr. Preisser’s vision for GRACE Breast Imaging & Medical Spa is to create a serene and comforting environment that empowers women and provides exceptional breast care. Her compassionate approach and dedication to improving patient outcomes make her a respected leader in the field of breast imaging.
www.graceimagingandspa.com , Insta/FB/Linkedin: @graceimagingandspa
Dr. Rachel Preisser
Nola Cartmill (she/her) is the Chief Diversity Officer and a member of the Legal team at Holmes Murphy, where she leads the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy through its Uniquely United initiative. In this role, she advises the Executive Committee, supports leadership training and employee development, and helps shape inclusive practices both internally and with clients.
With a foundation in employment law, Nola has spent her career helping organizations navigate complex workplace dynamics, compliance, and culture change. Her approach is rooted in a deep commitment to creating spaces where people can truly belong — not just fit in.
Nola earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Iowa and her JD from Harvard Law School. She has been honored by Best Lawyers in America and Chambers and Partners for her work in labor and employment law, and was named one of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40.
Beyond her professional work, Nola serves as Past Chair of the Des Moines Performing Arts Board of Directors and is a member of its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force. She actively supports nonprofit organizations that reflect her values around justice, creativity, and community.
When she’s not working, Nola is spending time with her daughter Harper and her partner, watching Iowa Hawkeye or Chicago Bears football, traveling, reading, or catching a Broadway show. She also shares candid reflections on parenting, leadership, and life’s messy in-betweens on Instagram (@lalalawyerslittlechaoticlife) and TikTok (@lalalawyerlilchaoticlife).
Nola Cartmill
Allie Ruby
Hey, I’m Allie — the creative mind and high-achieving chaos behind Pseudo Force! I’ve been obsessed with art and design for as long as I can remember, but like many millennials, I took the “practical” route and earned my degree in genetics from Iowa State. Fast forward 15 years, a comment about my handwriting reignited my love for design and led me into the world of lettered art, Adobe Illustrator, and eventually launching an Etsy shop.
During the early days of the pandemic, I doubled down on my creative brand, went viral on TikTok, and responded to customer demand by learning how to screen print apparel myself. By 2022, my basement was a full-blown screen print studio and Pseudo Force officially became my full-time hustle after selling out our first apparel drop and surpassing my ag tech salary.
Pseudo Force was born from one simple truth: confidence in the gym shouldn’t require digging through racks of "live, laugh, love." I wanted to create something real, bold, and motivating as f*ck — so I did.
@pseudo_force_
THIS IS ALYX’S THIRD YEAR AS OUR AMAZING MODERATOR! WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE HER.
Alyx is a four-time regional Emmy award winning journalist. She co-anchors KCCI 8 News This Morning, the most watched morning newscast in the market. For the last decade, Alyx has covered big Iowa stories from the caucuses to Caitlin Clark and the Final Four in Cleveland. She believes in people and the value of their voice and that's what led her to journalism. Alyx is a mom of two running on love for her family, dry shampoo, and caffeine.
Side note: Alyx is humble…her bio could be much longer. :)
Alyx Sacks
Our 2024 panelists.
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca is president and CEO of Business Publications Corporation (BPC), an award-winning, Iowa-based media company that publishes Business Record, dsm and ia magazines and custom products. Suzanna has published articles and has been interviewed on leadership and governance at a wide variety of outlets, including: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Time Magazine, US News & World Report, Forbes, MSNBC, CNBC, National Public Radio, and others.
She serves on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards and is active in the community. She is also a poet whose work has been published nationally and internationally. Ms. de Baca graduated from Iowa State University (with Distinction) and holds an MBA from the Harvard University School of Business Administration.
@suzannadebaca
Shannon Woods
Shannon Woods is the Chief Legal and Strategy Officer of Consumer Safety Technology (CST), a private equity-based portfolio of companies focused on substance use detection, monitoring, and reporting with a mission to help individuals live and drive responsibly. CST, through its Intoxalock brand, is the largest provider of ignition interlock devices in the US, and Shannon has been instrumental in partnering with advocacy groups and legislators nationwide to ensure that laws/rules adopted in each state make roads and communities safe while reducing recidivism amongst drivers.
Shannon, an Iowa native and graduate of Buena Vista University and Drake University Law school. She fell in love with private practice as a litigation attorney, but eventually became the first female attorney to serve on the legal team of Hy-Vee, Inc. Since joining CST eight years ago, she has partnered with her incredible team to pass legislation to create needed change, drive company growth by providing complex legal support and strategically guide the fast-paced business growth. Shannon’s passion is executive leadership with a focus on creating high functioning teams that celebrate diversity, inclusion and opinions.
@shanjwoods
Arelys Valles
Arelys Valles was born in Havana, Cuba, moving to Florida shortly after.
During her collegiate career at University of the Cumberlands, Arelys was a 2x All-American, 4x-National Qualifier and Bill Farrell International Champion/All-American. Arelys became a first generation college graduate with a double major, Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science and Public Health, followed by her Master of Science in Coaching. She then served as Head Women’s Wrestling Coach at Brewton-Parker College where she lead a very decorated team.
Arelys joined Grand View University in 2020 as Head Assistant Women’s Wrestling Coach, Head Girl’s Coach for Grand View Wrestling Club and Adjunct Professor. Since being at Grand View, Valles has accumulated an extensive list of coaching successes: All-Americans, Heart of America Conference champions and team championships, National Champions, and International participants and Champions. Valles was also voted the Heart of America Conference Assistant Coach of the Year (2021/2023), as well as AAU Iowa Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year (2023), and has continued her wrestling career as a 3x Senior National All American and 4x Senior World Team Trial Qualifier.
@arelys94
Dr. Maria Corona
Maria Corona, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Director of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). With a membership comprised of 22 comprehensive victim service provider agencies or crime victim centers, ICADV is a pivotal organization dedicated to addressing domestic violence issues statewide. Dr. Corona leads ICADV’s strategic direction and programming, including resource development, capacity building, and public policy efforts that support survivors of gender-based violence at the state and national level.
Dr. Corona is dedicated to uplifting the strengths and generative power of immigrant communities in the context of interpersonal, community, and systemic violence. Her scholarly pursuits encompass a broad spectrum of critical topics, including the help-seeking behaviors of domestic violence survivors in rural settings, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among DV-convicted individuals, and the profound community health ramifications of immigration policies. As a research practitioner, she remains engaged with research initiatives connected to immigration and gender-based violence such as the National Institute of Health awarded project called Understanding Latina Experiences with Victimizations, Intersectionality, and Discrimination (LAT-VIDA) and ProACTIVE. Dr. Corona volunteers for Al Exito Iowa and the Research and Policy Leadership Fellowship with Esperanza United.
Prior to joining ICADV, she was awarded the prestigious Mid-Iowa Health Foundation HealthConnect Fellowship to support her dissertation project and bold system change ideas. In 2020, she earned the K. Patricia Cross Futures Leaders Award for her academic and civic contributions.
@mabeishere
Maria Morgan, JD
Maria Morgan is the Chief Administrative Officer and Vice President of Administration for Broadlawns Medical Center.
Maria has spent most of her career in civil rights, human resources counseling, and employment law. She has extensive experience developing, and implementing programming and policy focused on fair employment practices, equity in compensation and diversity and inclusion, through her work with health care organizations, colleges and universities, and other organizations.
Maria worked as Staff Counsel for Health Midwest where she was responsible for all aspects of employment law for a 13-hospital system. She has expertise guiding and leading organizational leadership teams in employment matters in corporations, non-profit organizations, government, healthcare, and education. She has led organizations in transformational work through change management, policy review and development, process development, strategic planning, and programming.
Sara Hopkins
Sara is a top-producing Realtor® in the Greater Des Moines area with a passion for highlighting all the amazing things within the city of Des Moines! Whether it is showcasing the unique small businesses throughout town or being a passionate supporter of Des Moines public schools, Sara is rooted in recognizing all the great things to love about her city. Sara has been in real estate since 2010 and recently opened an office in the Highland Park neighborhood. She is the CEO of the Sara Hopkins Real Estate team, a growing team of all woman, who believes in creating strong neighborhoods with community involvement, being authentic at all times, obsessing over the details, doing the right thing for the long term and being transparent at all times. In 2023, Sara launched the first woman only homeownership course designed to help every woman not only dream of a home, but to possess the strategies and wisdom on HOW to make it hers. Her passion lies in helping others, whether it be on the multiple nonprofit boards she serves on around town, or helping all types of clients buy and sell their homes, she is an expert at meeting people where they are and helping them envision and accomplish their dreams.
@realtorsarahopkins
Alyx Sacks
Alyx is our amazing panel moderator for the second year in a row!
Alyx Sacks is an anchormom up before the sun. She anchors KCCI 8 News This Morning, the most watched morning newscast in the market. Alyx has been working in TV news for 13 years, 9 of which have been here in Des Moines. Aside from her on-air and reporting duties, Alyx is a Hearst Gives Back Champion. In that role, she coordinates volunteering and giving opportunities in the community. Outside of news, Alyx is a busy mom of two, running on coffee and dry shampoo. She enjoys yoga, weightlifting, heading back to the mountains whenever she can, and is a proud member of the small, but mighty, Baddies Book Club.
@alyxsacks