For Stacey Robles, the Iowa MBA was the next step in a lifelong belief that education creates opportunity—for herself and others.
She believed in education. Then she bet on her own.
Stacey Robles has spent much of her career helping others discover opportunities through education.
From supporting students and families in Des Moines to connecting job seekers with career pathways, she has seen firsthand how learning can change the trajectory of a life. So, when she began thinking about her own future, Stacey turned to the same thing she had always believed in: education.
Pursuing an Iowa MBA wasn’t about checking a box or adding another credential. It was an investment in herself—one that helped her become a confident leader, expand her career opportunities, and increase the impact she could have on the people and communities she serves.
“I always knew that I wanted to further my education,” she says. “I just didn’t know where I was going to go or what I was going to do.”
Built for working professionals
As Stacey researched MBA programs, she knew exactly what was needed: flexibility, affordability, and a degree that would fit alongside her career.
The Iowa MBA checked every box.
“The Iowa MBA suited all the needs I had, especially because I was a working adult,” she says.
Between the downtown Des Moines location, hybrid learning options, and support from advisors, Stacey found a program that worked with her life—not against it.
Just as important, she never felt pressured to follow a rigid timeline. Because she planned to pay for the degree herself, cost was a major factor.
“I knew that I wanted to pay for my MBA,” she says. “I was able to make payments, and they worked with me to figure out what my path could look like.”
What stood out the most was the reassurance that she could adapt as life changed. “Knowing that there was no time crunch was something that I valued a lot.”
Learning to lead
Stacey expected to sharpen her business skills. What she didn’t expect was how much the experience would change the way she saw herself as a leader.
For much of her career, she was the happiest behind the scenes. Logistics, planning, and operations came naturally. Public speaking and stepping into visible leadership roles did not.
The Iowa MBA challenged her to think differently.
Through leadership coursework, team projects, and conversations with classmates, Stacey was pushed outside her comfort zone. “I still want to run away,” she says with a laugh, “but I’m more comfortable saying yes.”
Today, she’s the person raising her hand—whether that’s leading programs, giving presentations, speaking to classrooms, or speaking in front of groups she once would have avoided.
The experience taught her that leadership isn’t about becoming somebody else. "It made me feel more confident in myself, but it also made me own my own identity."
Turning learning into impact
The confidence Stacey gained showed up quickly in her career.
She changed careers, stepped into leadership roles, and doubled her salary.
Today, she serves as the inclusive talent program manager at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, where she helps strengthen connections between education, workforce development, and economic opportunity.
The ripple effect
The impact of Stacey’s MBA didn’t stop with her.
She’s applied what she learned to help support her parents’ business, and today both of her siblings are talking about pursuing graduate degrees of their own.
"Just seeing the impact around not just me, but everyone around me has been truly unbelievable," she says.
What’s next?
True to form, Stacey is already thinking about what’s next. After earning her MBA, she is now exploring law school with an interest in business law.
For someone who’s always believed in the power of education, it’s less of a surprise than it sounds.
For her, the Iowa MBA wasn't a finish line. It was another undeniable step forward.