2026 Spark: A Summit for Good - Speaker Bios

	A	B	D
1	Presenter Last Name	Presenter First Name	Brief Bio
2	Barry	Erin	Erin Barry is a speaker, author, and leadership coach specializing in clarity, alignment, and purposeful growth. She helps individuals and organizations bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be empowering them to lead with confidence, intention, and authenticity. Her grounded, transformational approach is embodied in her signature Wild! framework and her book, Live Your Truth: Reconnect to Your Inner Wisdom. Create the Life You Love, inspiring audiences to step fully into their values and authentic selves. Beyond her work on stage and with clients, Erin is deeply committed to community leadership. She serves as Chair of MBE² (a rural entrepreneur venture program), Past Chair of the Montgomery Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, Past Secretary of the Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce, and Soccer Director in her local community. Through these roles, she champions rural entrepreneurship, civic engagement, youth development, and community growth.
3	Clark	Madison	Madison Clark is the Neighborhood Relations Coordinator at HACAP's Northwest Neighborhood Resource Center. With a bachelor's in political science and a strong passion for advocacy, she is dedicated to supporting underserved populations and building meaningful connections within her community. Her work at the NWNRC centers on creating accessible resources, fostering trust, and helping individuals navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming. At the Northwest Neighborhood Resource Center, she works directly with community members to connect them to essential services and support systems. She does this work because she believes everyone deserves stability, dignity, and access to resources, and she is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of her neighbors through compassion, advocacy, and action.
4	Clayton	Mindy	Mindy Clayton is the FaDSS (Family Development Self Sufficiency) Coordinator for Mid Iowa Community Action Agency. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Family Services. She has been with MICA for 28 years, in which she has held a variety of positions working in Head Start as a family development specialist, Lead Specialist for FaDSS and Coordinator for 14 years. Mindy has served multiple statewide implementation and leadership teams supporting program innovation and fidelity. Mindy’s FaDSS Team has been selected to participate in many pilot opportunities providing structured feedback to improve family services. Mindy lives on an acreage with her husband, and one son who is still at home. They raise Boer goats and love Labradors. Mindy is a member of the Grinnell Food Coalition that addresses food insecurity. She is active in committees within MICA which are Advocacy Group, Whole Family Approach and Spirit Squad.
5	Dunn	Brian	Brian Dunn is the Executive Director of Sieda Community Action and a leader who believes clarity, steadiness, and a good sense of humor can get you through almost anything. Especially in human services. Before stepping into the Executive Director role, Brian spent more than a decade in community‑based leadership, serving as a Director, Manager, and Regional Administrator across several organizations. Those roles gave him a front‑row education in what makes teams healthy, what makes them crack, and what it takes to rebuild trust when things get rough. He has led crisis response efforts, stabilized departments in transition, guided organizations through funding cliffs and compliance challenges, strengthened culture in stressed workplaces, and built staff capacity in environments where the work is heavy and the resources are thin. His leadership blends real‑world practicality, data‑driven thinking, and the competitive focus he learned from years in the wrestling ring. Brian’s leadership incorporates one simple idea: leaders want the ball when things get tough. And once it’s in our hands, our job is to bring order, purpose, and direction to the people counting on us. He’s known for telling the truth plainly, cutting through noise, and bringing intensity when it’s needed. He knows he’s not always subtle. He teaches the way he leads: practical, honest, grounded in real experience, and with enough sarcasm to keep people breathing. No jargon. No motivational‑poster wisdom. Just the actual work of leading humans under pressure.
6	Ennis	Sarah	Sarah Ennis is the founder and President of SparkPoint Inc. She holds a Master’s Degree from Drake University and has been speaking, training and consulting with companies for 25 years to help leaders and teams unlock their full potential. A defining element of Sarah’s approach is helping people clarify and tell their stories with impact—using insight, data, and real-world experience to communicate more clearly, influence more effectively, and create meaningful connection at every level of the organization.
7	Fredlund	Steve	Steve Fredlund is an award-winning keynote speaker, two-time TEDx presenter, and bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing. After more than 30 years as an actuary, executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder, including leading humanitarian efforts in East Africa, Steve gained a unique perspective on leadership in uncertain conditions. Today, Steve helps leaders keep moving forward through change and uncertainty. Through engaging stories, humor, and practical tools drawn from African safaris, leadership research, and high-pressure decision environments, he equips audiences to build engagement, make confident decisions with limited information, and lead effectively when the path isn’t clear.
8	Griese	Nichole	Nichole Griese is the Family and Community Impact Director at Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, where she oversees the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) program, Thrive Iowa, volunteer engagement, and select development initiatives. Nichole has worked in human services since 2008, beginning her career in child welfare after earning degrees in Criminal Justice and Social Work. For the past 13 years, she has served the FaDSS program in multiple roles, including Specialist, Lead Specialist, Coordinator, and Director. Nichole is a Certified Community Action Professional and has served on statewide implementation and leadership teams supporting program innovation and fidelity. She provides peer technical assistance and training for FaDSS grantees across Iowa. Nichole lives in rural Northeast Iowa on a hobby farm with her family, where life includes goats, pigs, and open fields. She is the mother of three teenagers and remains actively involved in her local community.
9	Hannasch	Dick	Dick Hannasch is a certified leadership coach with more than 35 years of experience developing leaders, teams, and professionals across Fortune 500, government, higher education, and professional services organizations. He leads Aware and Willing, LLC where he specializes in coaching, leadership assessments, and helping people improve their working relationships. He retired from Principal Financial Group, where he was instrumental in helping create and build the firm’s coaching model and coaching culture, and he was co-lead on the team that created Principal’s global leadership talent assessment and development program. He is open to your feedback and hopes you are open to his feedback.
10	Harnos	Mia	Mia Harnos is a national nonprofit executive based in Wyandotte, Michigan recognized for leading community-action programs, developing social-service initiatives, and advancing national energy-assistance policies aimed at helping vulnerable households. In October 2024, Harnos became Director of Energy Partnerships at Community Action Partnership (National Office). In this role she manages national weatherization and energy programs and works with national, regional, state, and local organizations to expand energy partnerships and inform program and policy agendas. Mia and her team provide training and technical assistance to the Community Action Network to support network engagement on core energy and weatherization issues.
11	Heller	James	James Heller is Director of PivIt Group, where he helps organizations translate AI from concept into measurable business impact. With over six years focused specifically on AI, James has guided companies in deploying agentic and intelligent automation solutions that deliver real ROI — improving workflows, decision-making, and operational efficiency. Drawing on 29+ years of experience in IT sales, solution architecture, and strategic consulting, James is known for solving complex technical and workforce challenges while building long-term partnerships. His work centers on helping organizations adopt AI in practical, sustainable ways that create lasting value.
12	Heller	Rob	Rob Heller is an independent insurance agent serving nonprofit, commercial, and personal clients through offices in Kansas City and Sioux City. As a Certified Master of Worker’s Compensation, Rob brings deep expertise in protecting organizations and helping them navigate complex risk environments with clarity and confidence. He has a strong passion for supporting nonprofit and community action agencies, aligning insurance strategies with their missions so they can focus on the people they serve. Rob is also an advocate for leveraging emerging tools — including AI — to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and ultimately help agencies operate more efficiently and extend their impact. At the core of his work is a commitment to partnership, education, and practical solutions that empower organizations to better serve their communities.
13	Kascel	Katie	Katie Kascel is the Northwest Neighborhood Resource Center Manager at HACAP, where they support neighbors in overcoming the challenges of poverty by facilitating access to essential resources and connecting them with local services. Developing an innovative strategy to providing a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the community, the Northwest Neighborhood Resource Center feeds thousands of neighbors each month with a wide variety of nutritional options for families to choose from. With a degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University and 15 years of dedicated experience in humanitarian work, Katie is committed to advocating for dignity and empowerment for all individuals in need.
14	Morrison	Shaye	Shaye Morrison, PhD is a Strategic Communications Consultant at the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). Shaye’s expertise lies in synthesizing rich and complex data into stories that drive impact. She has presented to, trained, and worked alongside professionals in higher education, nonprofits, grant writing, and healthcare to utilize data and GIS tools to meet their goals.
15	Nunnikhoven Albrecht	Rachel	Rachel is the Planning Director at Community Action of Southeast Iowa. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, is a Certified Community Action Professional, a National Certified ROMA Trainer, has worked at her agency for nine years, was the board president of the Burlington Area Homeless Shelter for nine years, volunteers in her community, and has a passion for community resources and sharing knowledge to help people in their current struggles. Rachel has been acquainted with poverty throughout her life with experiences in several realms including: personal, professional, educational, volunteering, and teaching.
16	Peerman	Dr. Celina	Dr. Celina Peerman is an organizational psychologist, 2x TEDx speaker, and 4x author known for helping organizations strengthen leadership, navigate uncertainty, and impact in their communities. Her work focuses on practical, people-centered strategies that support leaders in making better decisions, aligning teams, and moving organizations forward with clarity and purpose.
17	Pollard	Brandon	Brandon is the External Relations Coordinator at IMPACT Community Action Partnership. He has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's degree in Education. He is a National Certified ROMA Implementer and has worked in community action for nine years with over seven of those at his agency. Brandon previously served on the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Young Professionals Connection board for three years and the YP Iowa board for seven. He has also been involved in several community initiatives and when he's not talking your ear off about addressing systemic issues you can find him gardening, volunteering to remove invasive plants at a local park, doing something with his dogs, or planning a gathering of neighbors and friends. Between first-hand lived experience as well as other personal and professional experiences Brandon has been familiarized with poverty in a variety of settings including Kansas City, rural NE Missouri, and Des Moines.
18	Raymer	Michelle	Michelle Raymer, CVA, is the Deputy Director of Volunteer Service at Volunteer Iowa, where she supports communities, nonprofits, and government agencies in amplifying their impact through strategic volunteer engagement. She is also a trainer and coach for Service Enterprise, the national organizational accreditation in volunteer engagement. With 20 years of experience in national service, nonprofit program development, and volunteer engagement, Michelle is a recognized leader in the field. She is a past president of the national Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) and is actively involved in her community as a volunteer. Michelle is a graduate of Central College and holds her MPA from Drake University.
19	Rhodes	Jordan	Jordan Rhodes is a project coordinator for the University of Missouri’s Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). Alongside the CARES team, Jordan supports new development and training for the National CAP Data Hub, several state-level Community Action tools, and additional mapping and data reporting tools nation-wide.
20	Rohn	Alex	Alex Rohn, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. Alex has worked in a variety of clinical and academic settings providing individual and group therapy as well as education and outreach surrounding trauma, mental health and stress management. Prior to her role at Mindspring Mental Health Alliance, she coordinated programs and provided mental health education to educators and parents for a school mental health non-profit. In her free time, she enjoys chasing her twin girls, spending time with friends and family, volunteering with Foster’s Voice, a suicide prevention organization and providing individual therapy for adults at Diamond Heart Therapy.
21	Schaefer	Lisa	Lisa Schaefer is a dynamic leadership speaker, trainer, and founder of Shine with Schaefer, where she helps big-hearted professionals prevent burnout and build resilient, energized teams. With a background as a former school counselor and human services professor at a community college, holding a masters in school and community counseling, Lisa understands firsthand the emotional demands placed on those who serve others every day. She has also led learning and development initiatives in large organizations, equipping leaders with practical tools to strengthen mindset, communication, and workplace culture. Known for her relatable stories, high energy, and actionable takeaways, Lisa blends real-world experience with research-based strategies to help professionals refuel their passion and truly shine in the work that matters most
22	Schubert	Scott	Scott Schubert is the CEO of Fortell AI and a former Community Action Agency CEO. With over a decade of leadership in housing, behavioral health, and poverty alleviation, he focuses on applying ethical AI to improve access to social services, streamline program delivery, and strengthen outcomes for nonprofits and public agencies.
23	Spies	Kylie	Kylie Spies is a social worker specializing in public policy and participatory research. She is the tax and budget Senior Policy Advocate at Common Good Iowa, a nonpartisan nonprofit research and policy organization based in Des Moines. As a former public school teacher and adult educator, Kylie uses data and storytelling to connect policy to people.
24	Symes	Rob	Rob Symes is the Co-Founder of Fortell AI, where he leads the development of conversational AI solutions that help governments, nonprofits, and humanitarian organizations improve access to services and better engage the communities they serve. His work focuses on applying voice AI to solve complex social challenges, including homelessness, community action, behavioral health, utility assistance, and international development. With a background spanning technology, product innovation, and social impact, Rob has helped pioneer AI-powered systems that automate client engagement while maintaining a human-centered approach. Under his leadership, Fortell has partnered with community action agencies, homeless response systems, and nonprofit organizations across the United States and internationally to increase access to services, reduce administrative burden, and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. Rob is a frequent speaker and writer on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the social sector, with a particular interest in how voice technology can make essential services more accessible for people who face barriers to digital access. His work emphasizes practical, ethical AI that augments human services rather than replacing them, enabling organizations to serve more people while allowing staff to focus on the interactions that require empathy and expertise.
25	Titcomb	Brittany	Brittany is a leadership coach, trainer, and facilitator who helps leaders transform self-doubt into confidence, presence, and impact. Her approach blends practical tools, coaching techniques, and neuroscience-informed strategies to help people notice internal barriers, like self-doubt or overthinking, and replace them with actionable behaviors that elevate confidence, presence, and influence. Brittany combines strategic insight with practical expertise in coaching and training and is passionate about creating learning experiences that are engaging, interactive, and transformational, where participants feel seen, heard, and empowered to take immediate action. Brittany holds an MBA and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC), ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), SPHR, and certified in DISC.