The Business Record launched its racial equity advisory board in 2020 as an initiative of the newsroom to regularly hear feedback about how coverage could be more representative and what stories related to racial equity we should be covering. 

Numerous story ideas and connections from the board have led to more diversity in our news products, awards and events. 

In 2024, we are broadening the board’s focus to all the stories we create companywide at Business Publications Corp., including the Business Record and dsm magazine. As a media company, we believe our products should mirror our community, both in the ways we celebrate diversity and in facilitating meaningful conversations about equity. 

We are pleased to announce nine new members who will join these current members: Dwana Bradley, Bridget Cravens-Neely, Brian Dennis, Tej Dhawan, Renee Hardman, Christine Her, Prakash Kopparapu, Tar Macias and Claudia Schabel.

Get to know our newest members.

Marcela Hermosillo-Tarin is division human resources director at Arvum, an operating company of Discovery Senior Living, and is an entrepreneur. She is a passionate advocate for creating inclusive and supportive environments where individuals feel respected and valued. She also holds a deep interest in integrated education and training programs, particularly apprenticeships, which provide opportunities to individuals who may otherwise lack access. Additionally, she co-founded Serenity by Design, a construction and staging business aimed at helping families create spaces that embody creativity and positive energy. Hermosillo-Tarin serves on the board of Avenue Scholars and recently fulfilled her term as the president of the Association for Talent Development – Central Iowa Chapter.

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Antonio Kioko is a software engineering manager at John Deere with over 20 years of experience. He leads teams responsible for cloud enablement and document digitization. Kioko is a mentor with the Lead DSM Community Connect program and a co-founder of Tech Journey, a tech nonprofit whose vision is to motivate and empower youths with limited access to resources and who are underrepresented in information technology to take an interest in technology. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Iowa State University.

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Corey Lewis is a clinical health coach at Broadlawns Medical Center, a safety net hospital in Des Moines. He is dedicated to aiding patients in achieving their health goals and managing chronic diseases. Driven by personal experiences and working with underserved populations in the health care system, Lewis established the Healthy Project, focusing on creating health equity content, including the Healthy Project podcast and the mental health series “Coffee Can’t Fix Everything.” He also initiated My City My Health, a conference series dedicated to fostering global discussions on health equity. 

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Jerrica Marshall is the executive director of the Directors Council and is a passionate advocate for the advancement and equitable future of the Des Moines community. Marshall has taken the lead in creating and implementing community events, programs and initiatives. Her efforts are focused on providing valuable opportunities for minority communities, thereby contributing significantly to the overall well-being and prosperity of Des Moines. Through her strategic vision and dedication, Marshall continues to make a positive impact on the social fabric of the community she serves.

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Amner Martinez is the founder and CEO of Infinite Resources, a local recruiting firm, and AmplifiedDsm, a local podcaster production company/platform. Martinez’s mission is to bridge the cultural gap in the workplace and community.

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Julian Neely is an emerging community leader focused on supporting diverse community programs and strategies. Neely’s commitment extends to his civic involvement, where he serves on boards, committees and collectives focused on uplifting the equitable practices and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities. He serves as the director of advancement and community investment at Polk County Housing Trust Fund, president of the Zeta Kappa Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and a board member of the Supply Hive.

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Manisha Paudel is the chief equity officer for the city of Des Moines. She has served in three other municipalities in a similar role. Her global experience working in multiple countries in southeast Asia and northeast Africa has shaped her worldview and passion for eliminating inequities and barriers so that everyone can achieve their full potential. Paudel has degrees from Drake University and DePaul University, and currently serves on multiple boards locally and nationally. Originally from Nepal with her teenage years spent in western Canada, she enjoys the outdoors and traveling. 

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Kourtney Perry is the CEO of Privacy LLC, an event planning and brand management company, and Ladie Lex Scented Candles, a candle manufacturing and retail company. She has a mission to provide peace in the light of bringing your vision to a reality and producing a product that helps combat mental health issues. She is a board member of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and Taste of the Junction. Perry is passionate about racial equity toward small businesses and inclusive strategies within the community. 

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Madison Sconiers has 20-plus years of hands-on community outreach and engagement experience and a passion to close socioeconomic gaps to enrich all Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities of Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University, Sconiers joined the corporate workforce, spending more than eight years with Wells Fargo as a loan originator, implementation consultant and DEI champion. After leaving Wells Fargo, she shifted to the nonprofit sector as a contracted consultant for various nonprofit organizations. Sconiers now serves as the training specialist for the Polk County Treasurer’s Office.