The Ivy College of Business will present the third annual Ivy Women in Business Awards during a special event on September 2 at the Iowa State University Alumni Center. These awards celebrate women in business, and their champions, and serve as an opportunity to inspire young women in college as they prepare for a bright future in business. Congratulations to our 2020 honorees: Renee Schaaf, Berta Aldrich, and Anna Florzak!
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Champion Award: Renee Schaaf (’80, industrial administration) Principal Financial Group Nomination highlight: “When working for or with Renee, you are guaranteed to work to your potential because she has an innate ability to identify your strengths and passions and then put them to work in meaningful ways. As an employee, that is nirvana. As a leader, it is your ongoing goal to be able to do that for your team members. Renee makes it look simple but does it every day.” |
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Inspiration Award: Berta Aldrich (’90, finance) Private Advisor Group Nomination highlight: “As leader of the Women’s Leadership Council at Vanguard, Berta designed the Remarkable Women Series, a four-month workshop for women and their mostly male leaders. Over the course of three years, the RWS team educated, inspired, coached, and developed over 1,000 women and their mostly male managers. Over 90% of class participants paid the class forward through mentorship and advocacy of women, expanding the footprint of knowledge – and change.” |
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Outstanding Young Alumna Award: Anna Florzak (’10, marketing) Nike, Inc. Nomination highlight: “Anna is the product line manager for WNBA uniforms at Nike where her job is to help bring to life the best product for the best female athletes in the world of basketball. Her philosophy has always been to go over and beyond anything that is asked of her and to first and foremost be a good partner to her stakeholders.” |
| Champion Award
Leslie Buttorff, Quintel-MC From her nominator: “She has a sustained record of intentionally mentoring and promoting women in her company and at companies where she had leadership positions.”
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| Champion Award
Principal From their nominator: “Principal’s consistent efforts to hire, train, and retain female employees is second to none, not just in central Iowa, but worldwide.” |
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| Inspiration Award
Kate Banasiak, Diversified Management Services From her nominator: “Kate’s incredible drive launched her into a leadership role early in her career. While this would be a tremendous feat for anyone, Kate saw the window for opportunity and rose to the occasion.” |
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| Outstanding Young Alumna Award
Emily Schmitt, Sukup Manufacturing Co. From her nominator: “Emily is committed to helping the next generation and in 2012, she was responsible for launching the Sukup intern program. That has now grown from two to almost 60 interns who are trained at one of Iowa’s most successful manufacturing companies.” |
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Champion Award Luann K. Rickert From her nominator: “Luann is focused on helping all employees be successful and reach their full potential, but has been specifically focused on underrepresented populations within her company.” |
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Inspiration Award Christina Moffatt From her nominator: “Her greatest joy is seeing others succeed in what they were meant to do with their lives.” |
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Outstanding Young Alumna Award Kelli J. Schmidt From her nominator: “Bottom line, Kelli is the go-to person for our female professionals as they plan their careers and families.” |
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