Ronald McDonald House Charities names new executive director: The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois has named Shannon Greene as the organization’s new executive director. Greene has worked as the organization’s operations director since 2016 and as interim executive director since Barbara Werning’s resignation in late June. Before that, she worked as community project manager for the Blue Zones Project of Iowa City and the vice president for Prelude Behavioral Services.

Habitat for Humanity’s 2020 Women Build kicks off: The Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity this month began its 2020 Women Build, which this year honors the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women voting rights. “The women who started the women’s suffrage movement 172 years ago and who finally achieved success 100 years ago paved the way for each and every one of us … to not only be able to participate in our country’s democratic process but to pursue equality in every form,” said 2020 Women Build Co-Chair and Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly said during a celebration kicking off the build.

Program to help small businesses avoid utility disconnection expanded: A program to help small businesses keep their utilities on is being expanded to help more businesses avoid having their gas or electric service disconnected. The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced that eligibility requirements for the Iowa Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program has been expanded to include utility assistance for eligible small businesses and nonprofits for electric and gas service provided between March 17 and Oct. 15. According to a news release, eligible businesses and nonprofits must have experienced a loss of income from the coronavirus pandemic. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 31 or until all funds have been exhausted. The program will provide direct payments ranging from $400 to $7,500 to utility providers to be applied to accounts.The state allocated about $14.5 million of federal CARES Act funds for the program in early July. Eligibility information and the application for assistance are available by clicking here.

Women-owned businesses anticipate tougher recovery after COVID-19: According to a new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, women-owned small businesses now have a less positive outlook about the year ahead. In the first quarter of this year, male business owners anticipated an increase in revenue in 2021 — an expectation that has remained consistent through the pandemic. Female business owners, however, now have lower expectations than they did before the crisis.

AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

The Business Record wants to know who you think is the most influential business leader in the Des Moines metro area.

Entrepreneur Allison Krivachek spent three years building her Tiffin-based floral operation from a one-woman shop into an eastern Iowa wedding powerhouse.

Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Coralville has been honored with an award from leading marketing, print and graphic communications franchise network, Alliance Franchise Brands. Allegra is owned by Celeste Hutchinson.