What took you from accounting to where you are today?

When I started my career, I had a clear goal—start my journey in public accounting and end as a partner or CFO. When I started at RSM McGladrey, one of the industries I was assigned to was academia, including the University of Iowa. Within five years I was offered a position at the UI Foundation (now the UI Center for Advancement) and achieved my goal of being a CFO before the age of 30. Three things would be key to my success from that day forward: mentors, curiosity, and a strategic mindset. 

While at the UI Foundation, I had the opportunity to learn from our board of directors, 30 of our most talented alumni and top professionals across business, investment management, legal, human resources, and most importantly—leadership. This helped prepare me to say yes when opportunities arose to serve in multiple C-suite positions, to lead strategic planning at the UI Foundation, and to serve on the UI president’s strategy team. It wasn’t always easy, but I realize now it was those experiences that pushed me to do more and prepared me for the work I’m doing today. 

At the Foundation, I learned the importance of educating our next generation of leaders and of the incredible research and discovery being done across the university—and how it all has a big impact on the world. It made me realize the importance of working for a larger purpose. Through my work I found a calling to have a global impact and improve lives. By setting this intention, job opportunities came in, but it was one unexpected phone call that served as the catalyst that changed the trajectory of my life—an offer to partner with my mentor, Jerre Stead.

What is Stead Impact Ventures and Foundation doing?

Everyone at Iowa knows Jerre and Mary Joy Stead’s name from the children’s hospital and all the other areas of the university the Stead Foundation supports. Stead Impact Ventures was founded a year ago as an extension of the foundation’s commitment to positively affect health and wellness globally, but through investments in startups. 

We are impact investors focused on making the world a healthier place, addressing some of today’s biggest health challenges by funding brilliant scientists and doctors studying neurodegenerative disorders, mental health, and obesity. 

It’s through this mix of nonprofit grants, capital investments, and advocacy that we feel we can have the biggest impact. The synergies we have created between the nonprofits and startups we have invested in has accelerated their impact exponentially. We use this multifaceted approach to break down barriers to success and get things done faster. 

For example, we’re funding breakthrough developments in Alzheimer’s disease— from blood tests for early diagnosis to a preventative vaccine—and a new treatment for ALS and other neurodegenerative disorders to reverse these devastating diseases. We help our companies succeed by surrounding them with the capital, C-suite expertise, and strategic partners to accelerate their growth.    

Part of my role is as a connector. We are stronger together and I’m always thinking about how to bring people together to achieve shared ambitious goals.

How can fellow alumni make a difference?

Think big. Your degree is your start. Ask yourself what kind of impact you want to have on the world and start putting yourself out there. I wanted to find a way to help people in a bigger way but wasn’t sure how to best contribute. This desire grew throughout my career, and it drove me to look at things differently and taught me to listen for opportunities. 

Mentor the next generation of leaders. I love inspiring the next generation and helping them think about impact and making a difference. 

Bring industry together. I sit on many boards, including startups, faith-based organizations, and in academia, including Tippie’s Professional Accounting Council (PAC). Help the for-profit and nonprofit organizations in your orbit that share a common mission to work together for a greater impact. 

Trust your journey, realizing every step is a culmination of where you are meant to be. Former UI President Sandy Boyd said, “I believe that others give meaning to life.” That’s how I feel about giving back—having a positive effect on others through our work gives meaning to my life.

This article appeared in the 2024 issue of Iowa Ledger.