IOWA

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig has named Julie Kenney as deputy secretary of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, beginning today. Des Moines Business Record

Judy Schmeling, former chief operating officer at HSN Inc., has been named to the board of directors of Casey’s General Stores. She fills a vacancy following the death of Johnny Danos, who served on the board since 2004. Bizwomen.com

Kristine Woltzen of Olson Insurance was recently recognized by KHI Solutions with the 2017 Partners in Excellence Grow Your Business Award. Mason City Globe Gazette

Revisit Warehouse opened this January in North Liberty, offering reused and repurposed furniture, along with design consultation, workshops, cabinet painting and furniture customization. The business is owned by Cindy Knebel. Corridor Business Journal 

Cast members of “The Miracle Season” say the film’s female-empowerment message couldn’t have come at a better time. The movie follows the true story of Iowa City’s West High volleyball team, which reached the state championships after the death of teammate Caroline “Line” Found. Iowa City Press-Citizen 

Kirsten Anderson is on a mission. She spoke at Lang Hall on the University of Northern Iowa campus last week, giving a presentation titled, “Standing Up for What’s Right: How I Took on the Statehouse and Won.” Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

Shelley Helms said her love of home decorating grew out of her love for Christmas. Finally, last year, Helms decided to turn her skill into a business by founding Hearthstone Design in Fairfax.The Cedar Rapids Gazette

Sarah Grunewaldt is as surprised as anyone to find herself as executive director of Main Street Washington, a town of about 7,200 southwest of Iowa City. Surprised, but completely at home.The Cedar Rapids Gazette 

NATIONAL

Nine female investors have claimed spots on this year’s Midas List, a record for the annual ranking and an increase from six women a year ago. Forbes

Women receive lower salary offers than men for the same tech job at the same company more than half the time — and the disparity only grows as they gain experience, according to a study conducted by tech jobs marketplace Hired. Bizwomen.com 

Several dozen of Silicon Valley’s top female venture capitalists have been working behind the scenes since last summer to even the odds for women founders and funders in the male-dominated tech and VC worlds. Forbes