CIBC 2025 Keynote Speakers

Andy Buckley, Financial Advisor and actor

“Celebrities, They’re Just Like Business”

Andy Buckley

Entertainment Speaker, CFO of Dunder Mifflin on NBC’s “The Office” | Presented by EO Iowa

CFO of Dunder Mifflin on NBC’s “The Office”, Event Emcee, and Senior Financial Advisor (In real life) ’There is No Mystery to It…..Success in Acting is Like Success in Any Other Business’

Since the beginning of the Golden Era of Movies, Hollywood has tried to create some mystery around actors and that they’re these special magical beings who effortlessly move you and make you laugh and aren’t quite like the rest of us. The reality is that acting is like any other business, and the people who succeed have the same qualities as those who succeed in the business world.

After working 10 years as a Wealth Manager at Merrill Lynch and then making the jump to the silver screen with Andy Buckley’s role on The Office, he’s seen firsthand that being an actor is no different than being a successful advisor. All of the top members at Merrill Lynch had the same qualities he’s seen time and time again in some of Hollywood’s biggest actors.

About Andy Buckley

Andy Buckley, Entertainment Speaker, CFO of Dunder Mifflin on NBC’s “The Office” keynote speaker, and Senior Financial Advisor (In real life) is looking forward to addressing business owners from all over Central Iowa.

After his initial shot at acting didn’t pan out, Andy was 5 years into his career as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, part of a team managing over $500 million in personal assets, when he got the luckiest phone call of his life – the offer to appear on the NBC comedy, ‘The Office.’ The FA position was the perfect background for his fictional role as David Wallace, CFO of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Buckley stayed at Merrill Lynch for 6 more years, while continuing his role on ’The Office,’ which has led to many other acting opportunities.

He presently has regular roles on the HBO comedy “Avenue 5,” opposite Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad, as well as the upcoming Netflix action comedy series, “FUBAR,”starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Past regular or recurring roles have included HBO’s “VEEP,” “Silicon Valley,’”as well as “Shameless,” “The Lying Game,” “Odd Mom Out,” “Casual” and “Scorpion.”

In movies, he’s gotten to play opposite actors ranging from Will Ferrell, Michael Keaton and Mark Wahlberg (The Other Guys) to Jeremy Renner (The House) to Alvin (yes, of Alvin and the Chipmunks) to Chris Pratt and the T-Rex (Jurassic World) and Sandra Bullock & Melissa McCarthy (The Heat). Other movies he’s appeared in include Lady Bird, Bridesmaids, Bombshell and the recent comedy ‘Most Guys Are Losers,’ opposite Mira Sorvino.

Andy Buckley emcees and speaks at various corporate and charitable events across the country. The mix of his continuing corporate background and ‘The Office’ persona lends an entertaining aspect to these speaking engagements.
Born in Boston, Buckley spent time growing up in St. Louis, Chicago, South Florida. He attended Stanford where he played on the golf team his first two years at school. He’s married with two sons and resides in Los Angeles.

Dr. Ian Roberts

“Olympic Level Leadership Challenge”

Dr. Ian Roberts

Superintendent Des Moines Public Schools & World Class Olympic Athlete | Presented by Paychex HR

Challenge
Today’s leaders make hundreds of decisions and those decisions that could affect the lives of thousands of people daily. The magnitude of these decisions is rarely aligned in a concrete way to the team or organizations agreed upon MISSION & VISION and CULTURAL RESPONSIVITY, hence a lack of focus. This lack of focus is the antithesis of performance optimization and results in diminished morale, unclear role clarity and responsibility, reduced quality of life, and mediocre results.

Solution
The answer is simple, but it is not always easy – focus on seven critical strategies and six key questions by investing in “Olympic Level Leadership.”

About Dr. Ian Roberts

Dr. Ian A. Roberts serves as Superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools, the largest and most culturally, economically, and linguistically diverse school system in the great state of Iowa. Prior to this role, he served three years as the Superintendent of the Millcreek Township School District, a high performing suburban school district in Erie, Pennsylvania; the Chief of Schools of Aspire Public Schools, a college preparatory district where he led the team of superintendents serving schools in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and Memphis. Ian also served as the High School’s Network Superintendent with Saint Louis Public Schools, where he coached, supported, and evaluated high school and alternative schools’ principals.

He is a pivotal intellectual voice in the K-12 arena offering expertise on Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Culturally Responsive Instructional Leadership, and School/District improvement through shared accountability, empathy, and Compassion. These tenets he used during his tenure as a school principal and principal-supervisor in Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., and the South Bronx, New York.
Prior to becoming a principal, district leader, and leadership trainer. Ian was a world class and Olympic Athlete, competing in track and field at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and world Championships in Maebashi, Japan and Seville, Spain, was a finalist at the Pan American Games, and gold medalist at the Central American Championships.

Ian matriculated in academic programs at Harvard University (Post-Doctoral Studies), Coppin State University (BS) Saint John’s University (MS), Morgan State University (EdD), Georgetown University (MS), Trident University International (EdD).

Josh Linkner

“Find A Way: A Proven Innovation Framework to Solve Problems, Accelerate Opportunity and Sustain Growth”

Josh Linkner

Serial Entrepreneur, New York Times Bestselling Author, and Venture Capital Investor

A proven innovation framework to solve problems, accelerate opportunity and sustain growth.

As we enter a new era of business, 50% of leaders in the United States have lost confidence in their ability to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. The level of disruption, technology threats, and volatility can be paralyzing. We are in a leadership crisis and must embrace a new model to meet today’s challenges.

Prolific entrepreneur, venture capital investor, and innovation expert Josh Linkner helps you Find A Way™ through his proven 5-step innovation framework for cultivating full-organization ingenuity. Whatever outcomes you crave the most – from sales growth to competitive advantage to employee engagement – you’ll walk away with specific tools to drive sustainable success.

The Find a Way™ framework prioritizes agility over brute force, creativity over hustle, and improvisation over perfect planning. Leaders who embrace the model are inspired and better equipped. They feel confident to move forward into the darkness and have a newfound capacity to win consistently, no matter the circumstances.

This keynote serves leaders & teams who are:

  • Facing uncertainty and volatility.
  •  Seeking better ways to drive the outcomes they crave the most.
  •  Struggling to keep up with the pace of change.

The audience will leave with:

  • A proven model for harnessing ingenuity to solve any problem and seize any opportunity.
  • Innovative strategies to drive better results every day.
  • The confidence to walk into the unknown and emerge victorious.

About Josh Linkner

Josh Linkner is a Creative Troublemaker. He has been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He’s an internationally recognized expert on innovation and is the author of four books on the subject including the New York Times Best Sellers, Disciplined Dreaming and The Road to Reinvention.

Josh is passionate about starting and building companies. He’s the co-founder and Managing Partner of Muditā Venture Partners – an early-stage venture capital firm – and was previously the CEO and founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners. Over the last 30 years, he’s helped over 100 startups launch and scale. Today, Josh serves as Chairman and co-founder of Platypus Labs, an innovation research, training, and consulting firm. He has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award. Josh is also a passionate Detroiter, the father of four, a professional-level jazz guitarist, and has a slightly odd obsession for greasy pizza.

Jeremiah Terhark

About Jeremiah Terhark

Jeremiah Terhark has a talent for technology and an entrepreneurial spirit. Jeremiah founded Webspec Design in the fall of 2000. He is passionate about digital marketing and working with clients to see their goals achieved.

Jeremiah focuses his energies on managing upcoming website projects, interacting with clients, and programming. He graduated from Evangel University with degrees in Accounting and Political Science. When not working, he and his wife enjoy doing activities with their four children.

“Navigating Workforce 2030: Preparing for Tomorrow’s World”

Moderated By:

Jeremiah Terhark | Webspec Design | CEO & Founder

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting demographics, and evolving economic landscapes, the workforce of tomorrow stands at the intersection of innovation and adaptation. Join us for an insightful panel discussion as we delve into the multifaceted dimensions of Workforce 2030, exploring its composition, challenges, and promising opportunities.

With a diverse array of industry experts representing sectors ranging from technology and finance to hospitality and non-profit, our panel promises a rich tapestry of perspectives.

The discussion with center on three pivotal themes:

  • Envisioning Workforce 2030
  • Strategies to Prepare
  • Embracing the Change

Panelists:

photo of Jessica Dunker, Iowa Restaurant Association, CEO

Jessica Dunker | Iowa Restaurant Association | CEO

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Mary Hunter, CEO and president of Goodwill of Central Iowa

Mary Hunter | Goodwill of Central Iowa | CEO & President

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Amanda young, SVP & Chief Human Resources Office of Bankers Trust

Amanda Young | Bankers Trust | Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer

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Owner of KRM Custom Homes

Kirk Mickelsen | KRM Custom Homes | Owner

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About Jessica Dunker

Jessica Dunker is president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, a non-profit advocacy and education group that supports Iowa’s 6,000 restaurants and bars. Dunker is passionate about the hospitality industry’s role as a place to find first opportunities and second chances, as well as it being one of the last places entrepreneurs can still build successful businesses from the ground up. She also serves on the state workforce development board. Dunker is an Iowa native, mother of five (including two sets of twins) and along with her husband, a proud member of the Cyclone Nation.

About Mary Hunter

Mary Hunter is a graduate of Drake University with a Business Management and Marketing degree, AA from DMACC Hotel Restaurant Management Program, Certified Bridal Consultant, Dale Carnegie Graduate, Toastmaster ATM Bronze Certification, and a Greater Des Moines Leadership Graduate. She is currently President & CEO for Goodwill of Central Iowa. In the short time at Goodwill, she has been able to turn the culture around with the values of love, kindness, and respect. In addition, she has been able to turn the revenue around by more than $8million. Prior to working at Goodwill, Mary had a very short stint at CDS Global, where she was a Client Director, Before CDS, Mary worked for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), as Executive Director and National Director. In addition to her duties, she served as a Commissioner for the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division, appointed by Iowa Governor Vilsack and reappointed by Iowa Governor Culver. As well as the State of Iowa on the Consumer Advisory Panel, appointed by Governor Branstad. Also served as the President of the Executive Directors Council with JDRF.

Prior to Mary’s role at JDRF she was an officer with Hy-Vee, Inc. She started out sacking groceries (as most do) and worked her way through various positions with the last being Assistant Vice President, Real Estate.

About Amanda Young

Amanda Young is Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bankers Trust and a member of the bank’s executive committee. Amanda leads the bank’s human resources functions, including recruitment, compensation and benefits, training, development, succession planning and employee engagement.

Amanda joined Bankers Trust in 2009 as Vice President and Training Officer. In 2014, she assumed responsibility for the bank’s talent and engagement efforts, and in 2016 she was promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining Bankers Trust, Amanda held human resources management positions at Kum & Go and Community State Bank.

In August 2014, Amanda was accepted into the 2014-2015 Leadership Iowa class. She serves on ChildServe‘s Foundation Board and their Mission & Strategy Committee, as well as United Way’s Women United Investment Committee, and participates in the Juvenile Drug Court Collaborative. Amanda has also volunteered her time on the Young Women’s Resource Center board, Character Counts of Iowa awards selection committee, LUNA board, Ankeny schools and her church. In 2018, she was recognized as a member of the Des Moines Business Record’s “Forty Under 40.”

Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis in human resources from the University of Northern Iowa. She also earned a master of arts degree in industrial relations with a human resources emphasis from Iowa State University. Amanda has her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and is a Society of Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRMSCP), a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), a Senior Human Resources Business Partner (sHRBP) and a Certified Compensation Analyst (CCA). Amanda also has a Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) certification, a Strategic Talent Acquisition (STA) certification, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification from the International Federation of Coaching.

A Des Moines-area native, Amanda and her husband, Brandon, have three children and live in Ankeny.

About Kirk Mickelsen

Since 2004, Kirk Mickelsen and KRM Custom Homes have been building customer-driven homes throughout Central Iowa and the Des Moines metro area. Superior craftsmanship, customer-focus, and communication have earned KRM Custom Homes recognition as the premier custom home builder and the choice for homeowners creating their forever home as unique as their lifestyles and personalities. You’ll never see the same thing twice in our custom homes.
 
Experience & Expertise
Kirk Mickelsen’s passion, creativity, and eye for detail have formed the reputation and foundation for KRM Custom Homes’ culture and homebuilding processes. Mickelsen enjoys traveling to different regions of the country to stay current on home trends that he incorporates into their custom homes.
 
Our experienced team prides itself on understanding each customer and building relationships. From the personalization of your custom home’s layout and design to selecting the finishing touches, everything we do is built for you. We deliver a team-oriented approach to walk with you each step of the way towards building your new dream home.

Hear What People Are Saying About CIBC

“One of the most important things we can do is to take time to invest in ourselves and our staff. The Central Iowa Business Conference provides a great opportunity to step away from the day to day hectic schedules that we all have become accustomed to and invest in continuing learning and development. Each year I have been impressed by the keynote and breakout speakers and learn new things that help me be a better leader for the future."

Todd Herren, Chief Operating Officer, Delta Dental

"The Central Iowa Business conference is terrific. I’ve been involved and attended since it’s inception and it keeps getting better each year. If you are in business in Central Iowa, this is the conference to attend. Your investment of one day pays dividends all year."

Todd McDonald, President, ATW Training Solutions

" As a younger person in the business field it can be daunting to attend large business conferences, but not CIBC. My biggest take away from my first year in attendance is that businesses in the Des Moines metro buy into each other and to the young people in their community. Keynotes and breakouts are geared for individuals at all levels of a company which always has me leaving feeling empowered. Each year gets better and better because you get to meet new people who are all there to learn from one another."

Daycen Douglas, Financial Planner, AO Wealth Advisory