IOWA

Ketrena Jones of Cedar Rapids overcame kidney failure to open pop-up restaurant Mama’s Kitchen. Cedar Rapids Gazette

Being a finalist for the past nine years finally paid off for Emily Wears Kroul as she was named the nation’s top bid caller — winning the Women’s National Auctioneers Association’s 31st International Auctioneer Championship. Cedar Rapids Gazette

Through the years, Maridee Dugger’s efforts to help marginalized populations have benefited students, the incarcerated and the poor. “I’ve spent my whole life worrying about the underdog,” Dugger said. Cedar Rapids Gazette 

NATION

One of Best Buy’s most senior executives who helped steer it through a remarkable turnaround is leaving the company, saying the timing is right for her to move on when the company is doing well. Minneapolis Star-Tribune 

When it comes to founding a business, middle-aged and beyond founders are more likely to be successful, according to a paper from a group of researchers. Forbes 

Last year, 38.3 percent of newly appointed directors at Fortune 500 businesses were women, according to Heidrick & Struggles. Quartz