Age: 32

Title: General counsel, Sukup Manufacturing Co. (Started by her grandfather, Eugene Sukup)

Family: Husband Andy Schmitt; daughters Wynn and Celia

Reason why she is a Forty: She works on projects through Region 2 Career Technical Education Planning Board, Iowa Innovation Council, Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, Iowa Economic Development Authority board, and other local and statewide organizations.

What drives her: Giving employees purpose. “Every six months, I have a sit-down conversation with more than 120 employees. Getting to know the employees further ingrains my dedication to them and the company. I want to do everything I can to create meaningful employment at every level of our company,” she said.

An interesting fact about Schmitt: She created a jewelry line in high school, Gems by Em. She is using jewelry to help residents of Haiti.