Our 2024 panelists.
Stay tuned for more panelist announcement and additions!
Suzanna de Baca
Suzanna de Baca is president and CEO of Business Publications Corporation (BPC), an award-winning, Iowa-based media company that publishes Business Record, dsm and ia magazines and custom products. Suzanna has published articles and has been interviewed on leadership and governance at a wide variety of outlets, including: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Time Magazine, US News & World Report, Forbes, MSNBC, CNBC, National Public Radio, and others.
She serves on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards and is active in the community. She is also a poet whose work has been published nationally and internationally. Ms. de Baca graduated from Iowa State University (with Distinction) and holds an MBA from the Harvard University School of Business Administration.
@suzannadebaca
Shannon Woods
Shannon Woods is the Chief Legal and Strategy Officer of Consumer Safety Technology (CST), a private equity-based portfolio of companies focused on substance use detection, monitoring, and reporting with a mission to help individuals live and drive responsibly. CST, through its Intoxalock brand, is the largest provider of ignition interlock devices in the US, and Shannon has been instrumental in partnering with advocacy groups and legislators nationwide to ensure that laws/rules adopted in each state make roads and communities safe while reducing recidivism amongst drivers.
Shannon, an Iowa native and graduate of Buena Vista University and Drake University Law school. She fell in love with private practice as a litigation attorney, but eventually became the first female attorney to serve on the legal team of Hy-Vee, Inc. Since joining CST eight years ago, she has partnered with her incredible team to pass legislation to create needed change, drive company growth by providing complex legal support and strategically guide the fast-paced business growth. Shannon’s passion is executive leadership with a focus on creating high functioning teams that celebrate diversity, inclusion and opinions.
@shanjwoods
Arelys Valles
Arelys Valles was born in Havana, Cuba, moving to Florida shortly after.
During her collegiate career at University of the Cumberlands, Arelys was a 2x All-American, 4x-National Qualifier and Bill Farrell International Champion/All-American. Arelys became a first generation college graduate with a double major, Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science and Public Health, followed by her Master of Science in Coaching. She then served as Head Women’s Wrestling Coach at Brewton-Parker College where she lead a very decorated team.
Arelys joined Grand View University in 2020 as Head Assistant Women’s Wrestling Coach, Head Girl’s Coach for Grand View Wrestling Club and Adjunct Professor. Since being at Grand View, Valles has accumulated an extensive list of coaching successes: All-Americans, Heart of America Conference champions and team championships, National Champions, and International participants and Champions. Valles was also voted the Heart of America Conference Assistant Coach of the Year (2021/2023), as well as AAU Iowa Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year (2023), and has continued her wrestling career as a 3x Senior National All American and 4x Senior World Team Trial Qualifier.
@arelys94
Dr. Maria Corona
Maria Corona, Ph.D., serves as the Executive Director of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). With a membership comprised of 22 comprehensive victim service provider agencies or crime victim centers, ICADV is a pivotal organization dedicated to addressing domestic violence issues statewide. Dr. Corona leads ICADV’s strategic direction and programming, including resource development, capacity building, and public policy efforts that support survivors of gender-based violence at the state and national level.
Dr. Corona is dedicated to uplifting the strengths and generative power of immigrant communities in the context of interpersonal, community, and systemic violence. Her scholarly pursuits encompass a broad spectrum of critical topics, including the help-seeking behaviors of domestic violence survivors in rural settings, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among DV-convicted individuals, and the profound community health ramifications of immigration policies. As a research practitioner, she remains engaged with research initiatives connected to immigration and gender-based violence such as the National Institute of Health awarded project called Understanding Latina Experiences with Victimizations, Intersectionality, and Discrimination (LAT-VIDA) and ProACTIVE. Dr. Corona volunteers for Al Exito Iowa and the Research and Policy Leadership Fellowship with Esperanza United.
Prior to joining ICADV, she was awarded the prestigious Mid-Iowa Health Foundation HealthConnect Fellowship to support her dissertation project and bold system change ideas. In 2020, she earned the K. Patricia Cross Futures Leaders Award for her academic and civic contributions.
@mabeishere
Maria Morgan, JD
Maria Morgan is the Chief Administrative Officer and Vice President of Administration for Broadlawns Medical Center.
Maria has spent most of her career in civil rights, human resources counseling, and employment law. She has extensive experience developing, and implementing programming and policy focused on fair employment practices, equity in compensation and diversity and inclusion, through her work with health care organizations, colleges and universities, and other organizations.
Maria worked as Staff Counsel for Health Midwest where she was responsible for all aspects of employment law for a 13-hospital system. She has expertise guiding and leading organizational leadership teams in employment matters in corporations, non-profit organizations, government, healthcare, and education. She has led organizations in transformational work through change management, policy review and development, process development, strategic planning, and programming.
Sara Hopkins
Sara is a top-producing Realtor® in the Greater Des Moines area with a passion for highlighting all the amazing things within the city of Des Moines! Whether it is showcasing the unique small businesses throughout town or being a passionate supporter of Des Moines public schools, Sara is rooted in recognizing all the great things to love about her city. Sara has been in real estate since 2010 and recently opened an office in the Highland Park neighborhood. She is the CEO of the Sara Hopkins Real Estate team, a growing team of all woman, who believes in creating strong neighborhoods with community involvement, being authentic at all times, obsessing over the details, doing the right thing for the long term and being transparent at all times. In 2023, Sara launched the first woman only homeownership course designed to help every woman not only dream of a home, but to possess the strategies and wisdom on HOW to make it hers. Her passion lies in helping others, whether it be on the multiple nonprofit boards she serves on around town, or helping all types of clients buy and sell their homes, she is an expert at meeting people where they are and helping them envision and accomplish their dreams.
@realtorsarahopkins
Alyx Sacks
Alyx is our amazing panel moderator for the second year in a row!
Alyx Sacks is an anchormom up before the sun. She anchors KCCI 8 News This Morning, the most watched morning newscast in the market. Alyx has been working in TV news for 13 years, 9 of which have been here in Des Moines. Aside from her on-air and reporting duties, Alyx is a Hearst Gives Back Champion. In that role, she coordinates volunteering and giving opportunities in the community. Outside of news, Alyx is a busy mom of two, running on coffee and dry shampoo. She enjoys yoga, weightlifting, heading back to the mountains whenever she can, and is a proud member of the small, but mighty, Baddies Book Club.
@alyxsacks