Women of Influence

Being singled out for recognition – for instance, being named a 2013 Woman of Influence – tends to make Laura Jackson a bit uncomfortable. She much prefers being a team player at Wellmark Blue Cross …

Sharon Krause is at the wheel of a large four-wheel drive pickup, maneuvering through narrow gates and bouncing over the rough terrain of 153 acres of rolling hills and shady draws in Dallas County.

“If …

Karen Shaff is the highest ranking female officer at Principal Financial Group Inc. Male or female, you would suspect that anyone who climbs the corporate ladder to such a lofty position would have had set …

Congratulations to all our wonderful Women of Influence. In the following pages, you’ll find a story on each of these inspirational women and, on our website, their advice via video to young business women. I …

CEO & owner, Rowat Cut Stone and Marble Co.

Let’s just say that Teresa Van Vleet-Danos is rock-solid.

The Business Record’s Woman Business Owner of the Year has been a steady presence at Rowat Cut …

Legislative advocate/lobbyist

Carmela Brown walked into a summer-quiet cafeteria at the Iowa Capitol, and the only occupied table emptied as old acquaintances greeted her.

Not surprising, maybe, given that Brown has been a presence at …

Executive director, Chrysalis Foundation

Terry Hernandez says she always stops to assist drivers stopped on the road.

“There are just so many opportunities to do small things like that, that I like to encourage people …

President & publisher, The Des Moines Register

When Laura Hollingsworth was 23, she wrote her goal on a scrap of paper: become a publisher by the age of 40.

“I carried around that tattered piece …

Former vice president (retired), Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Nichola “Nicky” Schissel has accomplished far more than simply furthering her organizations’ goals during her varied career. She has been – and continues to …

Vice president of operations, EquiTrust Insurance Services

When Rosemary Parson was recruited to Greater Des Moines to help launch EquiTrust Life Insurance Co. a decade ago, she had little more to work with than a …