CIBC 2025 Keynote Speakers
“Olympic Level Leadership: Lead, Shift, & Transform During Turbulence.”
Dr. Ian Roberts | Presented by 
Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent & World Class Olympic Athlete
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 with 30,000 students and 5,000 employees.
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 PreK-12 arena offering expertise on Equity-focused outcomes, Culturally
Responsive Organizational Leadership, and data-driven School/District improvement through shared accountability, empathy, and compassion. These tenets he used during his tenure as a school principal, principal-supervisor, and chief of schools in Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., the South Bronx, New York, Oakland, and Los Angeles.
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).
AI’s Biggest Questions, Myths, and Mysteries
Beth Ziesenis | Presented by 
Your Nerdy BFF
Since her first Motorola RAZR flip phone, Beth has made a verb out of the word “nerd.” She’s here to help you filter through thousands of apps, gadgets, widgets and doodads to find the perfect free and bargain technology tools for work and home. Although the only real trophy she ever won was for making perfect French fries at McDonald’s in high school, Beth Z has been featured on Best Speaker lists by several organizations who write best speaker lists. She has written a whole shelf of books on apps and has spoken to more than 100 thousand audience members just like you. And if you’re puzzling over why she goes by “Beth Z”… it’s because she only finds about three people a year who can pronounce her last name.
About Beth Z | Your Nerdy Best Friend
Since her first Motorola RAZR flip phone, Beth has made a verb out of the word “nerd.” She’s here to help you filter through thousands of apps, gadgets, widgets and doodads to find the perfect free and bargain technology tools for work and home. Although the only real trophy she ever won was for making perfect French fries at McDonald’s in high school, Beth Z has been featured on Best Speaker lists by several organizations who write best speaker lists. She has written a whole shelf of books on apps and has spoken to more than 100 thousand audience members just like you. And if you’re puzzling over why she goes by “Beth Z”… it’s because she only finds about three people a year who can pronounce her last name.
The US Economic, Financial, and Political Outlook 2025 – 2026
Frank Kelly
Global Economist
2025 and 2026 are shaping up to be pivotal years for the U.S., marked by profound fiscal, political, and geopolitical challenges. Frank Kelly will provide a comprehensive macro-overview of the economic, financial, and political landscape, offering actionable insights into what lies ahead for the country.
Key Topics Include:
- Tax Policy in Transition: With the expiration of major provisions from the 2017 Trump tax reform, tax policy will dominate the national conversation, influencing individuals, businesses, and financial markets.
- Federal Deficit Crisis: Facing unprecedented federal deficits, the U.S. must grapple with difficult decisions. Frank will explore potential solutions and their implications for economic stability and growth.
- The Federal Reserve’s Role and Leadership: As Jay Powell’s term concludes in 2026, who will steer the Fed? How will monetary policy adapt to the evolving economic landscape, addressing inflation, interest rates, and economic growth?
Geopolitical and Trade Dynamics: Geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies are dramatically impacting U.S. relations with key global regions:
- China: Intensified competition and tensions over trade, tariffs, and technology continue to strain U.S.-China relations. How will these dynamics shape global markets and supply chains?
- Latin America: Evolving U.S. policies on immigration, trade agreements, and investments are redefining relationships with neighbors in the Western Hemisphere.
- The European Union: As the U.S. and EU navigate trade disputes, climate policy, and shared security concerns, what lies ahead for transatlantic cooperation?
- The Middle East: Geopolitical instability, energy market shifts, and changing U.S. foreign policy priorities will have far-reaching implications for global energy prices and regional dynamics.
Broader Economic Trends: Frank will address critical issues such as labor market trends, technological innovation, and demographic shifts, highlighting their impact on the U.S. economy.
This session will equip attendees with the knowledge and foresight to navigate a period of significant economic and geopolitical transition, helping them prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
About Frank Kelly
Having worked as a senior executive on Wall Street as well as having served in senior government roles, Frank brings extensive global experience and insight into the public policy decision-making process and its impact on global markets.
Frank began his career as a writer for President Ronald Reagan and went on to serve in the White House Office of Political Affairs. He served as a writer for President George H.W. Bush and then served at the Justice Department in the Office of Policy Development, focusing on national security and international issues. From there, Frank went to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, being appointed Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman and Chief Spokesman for the Commission as well as a member of the SEC Senior Staff.
He then joined Merrill Lynch Investment Banking in New York serving as Chief of Staff and Global Head of Marketing for Investment Banking, Sales & Trading. Frank was also a member of the German/Swiss/Austria country coverage team and was involved in numerous large cross-border deals. He returned to Washington DC to establish Charles Schwab & Co.’s first Global Government & Regulatory Affairs operation. He served as both the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs and the firm’s first Chief Political Strategist.
Frank joined Deutsche Bank in 2003 as the Bank’s first Head of Government Affairs and then later, Global Coordinator for Government & Public Affairs. He was also the Bank’s first Chief Political Strategist. In this role, he advised the Bank’s top institutional clients globally on US and geopolitical issues. He also has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, establishing and heading up the Bank’s Direct Investment Advisory Group (DIAG). Frank and his team advised corporates on sensitive national and economic security-related mergers and acquisitions seeking approvals from the US Committee for Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS).
He is a member of the board of directors of Barnwell Industries (NYSE: BRN), a diversified oil/gas drilling/land development company.
Frank is also a Senior Advisor to The Scowcroft Group, a global business advisory firm with an emphasis on emerging markets. It supports clients at every business development stage, including political risk analysis, strategic planning, risk management, market development, and ongoing operations. The firm also supports clients in the investment community, providing leading-edge analysis of market impact events and trends.
Frank is an adjunct professor at The Catholic University School of Business teaching coursework on Business Intelligence and Risk Assessment. He is also a Senior Associate with the Americas Program at the Center for International and Strategic Studies (CSIS) in Washington where he focuses on Latin American politics, economics, and trade.
Frank serves on the Board of Directors of CODESPA America, an organization dedicated to helping those living in extreme poverty become self-reliant through access to dignified and sustainable work. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Jerome Lejeune Foundation of America which is dedicated to advocating for people with Downs Syndrome.
Frank is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the American Council on Germany, and the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies. He resides outside Washington DC in Great Falls, Virginia with his wife, Maura, on their working farm, Open Door Farm.
The Nickel Strategy
Mitch Holthus | Presented by 
Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs
Exploring the historic rise of the Kansas City Chiefs and why it matters to everyone. You might just want to keep a nickel in your pocket.
Can the future of Iowa be tied to the historical rise of the Kansas City Chiefs? We will explore the “5 Sense” approach and why it works no matter the location or size of any Iowa community. We will dive into how the Chiefs have survived and thrived in an ultra-competitive environment, which by its very nature is designed to limit consistent success. We will also address the Chiefs latest flash point and how they intend to handle it. The future of Iowa might be a nickel in your pocket.
About Mitch Holthus
Mitch Holthus (Hole-tus) is the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and is the longest tenured and most decorated play-by-play “voice” in franchise history. He was on the call of Super Bowls 54, 57, and 58 when the Chiefs won their second, third, and fourth Super Bowl championships. He also was on the call of Super Bowl 55 in February 2021 & 59 in February 2025.
Holthus is also the host of the Hy-Vee Chiefs Insider television show, the Chiefs Field Pass show, and the Chiefs Rewind post-game show featured on several digital platforms. In addition, he originates the “Minute with Mitch” radio and television series, which is seen and heard in five states. His work is also featured on Chiefs.com.
Holthus is a member of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and in June 2022, was inducted into the Missouri Broadcasters’ Association Hall of Fame. As a result, he is only one of three individuals in both the KAB and MBA Halls of Fame. He is also a member of the Kansas State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Holthus has won six Emmys for his video and online work by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
In addition, Holthus is a past recipient of the Kansas City Sports Journalist of the Year award. Holthus was also listed with the voice of the Royals, Denny Matthews, as one of the top 13 “one-two” play-by-play pairs in America by the Sports Broadcast Journal. Holthus was named 2024 Kansan of the Year by the Kansas Society of Washington, D.C.
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