Speakers

Jill is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Deafinitely Dogs! They are a 501c3 here in Cedar Rapids. DeafinitelyDogs train and place hearing, facility and PTSD service dogs. Their primary placement is with combat veterans who suffer from PTSD. 

Dustin Peterson honorably served 24 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant and Academics Officer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. During his career, he held a variety of leadership and instructional roles and deployed multiple times in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Western Pacific.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Dustin is married to his wife, Jennifer, and together they have three children. He now serves as the Director of Linn County Veteran Services, where he continues his dedication to supporting veterans and their families.

Isaac graduated from Wayne State College in NE Nebraska. 

He interned with the Nebraska Sports Council for 6 months where he oversaw Event Operations. 

He now serves as the Assistant Director of Corporate Competition for the last 3 years at the Iowa Sports foundation where he oversee's the Quad Cities, Corridor, & Cedar Valley Corporate Games totaling over 80 companies and 10,000 plus participants. 

Isaac is married and live's in Tiffin for just over a year. 13x fun uncle. 

Dr. Wendy Mihm-Herold is the President and CEO of Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG), a role she has held since 2023. With over 34 years of leadership experience in public and nonprofit sectors, she is recognized for her expertise in fundraising, grant administration, legislative advocacy, and building innovative partnerships across education, business, and community organizations.

Before joining iJAG, Dr. Mihm-Herold served for 13 years as Vice President for Business and Community Solutions at Northeast Iowa Community College. She actively contributes to numerous civic and professional boards and initiatives across Iowa, including economic development, workforce, and education collaborations.

Dr. Mihm-Herold holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration and a B.A. in Family Services from Iowa State University, as well as an M.A. in Rehabilitation Administration from Drake University

Dan Riedell is a certified business coach, consultant, advisor, and speaker. He works with incredible people who provide professional services, products, or expertise in building the people and world of tomorrow.

Throughout his career, he has held roles in government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.  He has been involved in various fields, including education, marketing, sales, human resources, and IT.  In 2024, he became an entrepreneur to reach farther in helping others build and grow their business and their lives

Emily Zimmon is the CEO and Founder of An Enduring Legacy, a charitable giving agency dedicated to supporting individuals and companies with their philanthropic goals. Born and raised in Iowa, Emily first knew she wanted to spend her career supporting nonprofit organizations after studying, volunteering, and visiting numerous countries around the world. 

Before launching her firm, Emily spent her professional career in nonprofit leadership, developing programs that supported housing, employment, education, and opportunity for those most in need. Her career includes time at Willis Dady Homeless Services, as a nonprofit consultant, and at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa. Today, Emily serves on the board of Community Housing Initiatives and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, and she has two Littles through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.