The Business Record asked each of the 2024 Forty Under 40 honorees a piece of advice they’d give to young professionals. 

These 40 local leaders, who were chosen by past award winners, are under the age of 40 and have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Here’s what they recommend to up-and-coming leaders.

— Emily Barske Wood, Business Record special projects editor 

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Read their full profiles

This is just one question we asked each of our Forty Under 40 honorees. Read their full profiles at businessrecord.com/40

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Cole Amstutz, Vice president of commercial business development, ServiceMaster by Rice
One piece of advice for young professionals everywhere would be to prioritize continuous learning and skill development. These are key strategies for navigating the ever-evolving professional landscape. Embrace a growth mindset, actively seek out development opportunities and stay current with industry advancements. Investing in your ongoing learning not only boosts your current job performance but also positions you for future career opportunities, showcasing your commitment to personal and professional growth and enhancing your adaptability in a dynamic job market.  

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Jaime Blue, Owner/managing broker, JLN Realty Co. 
Don’t take networking for granted. Get involved in your community organizations at a young age and give back when you can. Your life will only get busier, and if you put that work in early, it has the potential to open endless doors and lead to a very fulfilled future.

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Nick Blyth, Senior vice president, Holmes Murphy/Innovative Captive Strategies
Be patient, but don’t get complacent. Exercise some patience while putting in the work today that will get you closer to achieving your long-term goals. In a society that wants everything on demand, be willing to sacrifice some short-term gains in order to reach greater success in the long run.  

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Maria Brownell, Attorney/shareholder, Ahlers & Cooney PC
Run your own race – do not compare yourself to others. Instead, set your own goals, work hard every day and seek out coaches (mentors) and great team members.

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Nick Callison, Vice president of development, Forvis
Seek out a mentor; leverage the accessibility and compassion of the corporate leaders in our community. And get involved. Consider volunteering for a local nonprofit aligned with your passions.  

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Nana Coleman, Chief product officer, RainyDayPal
Focus on trying to gain something or learn something even from the things you don’t like to do.  You don’t need to be an expert, but know that what you think you hate now could become an asset or differentiator for you in the future.

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Liz Cooney, Manager of inclusion, F&G 
Don’t be afraid to ask questions to gain clarity or understanding. My approach to life is, to quote Ted Lasso, to be curious, not judgmental. This includes being open and aware of our own privileges and blindspots. We’re all works-in-progress. Nobody has it all figured out. Be patient. Good things take time.

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Kacey Davis, Director of employee health and wellness, Dotdash Meredith Corp.
My advice would be to take risks. If there is something I want to achieve, I write it down, then list the steps required to achieve said goal – even if it is risky. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. If something scares you, then it is probably a sign to do it. And lastly, but most importantly, be kind to people. The world needs more of that.

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Shannon Draayer, Director of health and well-being, WesleyLife
My advice is to get involved in a number of causes and organizations to identify your passions and interests. Align where you spend your time with what you care about the most. You’ll connect with like-minded leaders and feel the fulfillment of living out your purpose each day.

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Wesley Franklin, Community impact director, American Heart Association
Learn to accept all types of feedback. The ability to reflect on feedback and demonstrate improvement may help you gain the trust of co-workers and managers.

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Siriaco Garcia, Artist (Siricasso)
Just keep going. Never stop dreaming, never stop believing. When I was coming up, a lot of people didn’t support me, but I found my people and they helped me reach for my dreams. I’d say it’s important for you to find your people, too. 

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Olesya Holker, Co-founder, executive director, HHD Production LLC 
Whenever a recent graduate uncertain of their next steps asks for my advice, I always say, “Take any action.” Welcome unfamiliar experiences, regardless of their uncertain results. This approach expands your viewpoints, provides lessons from varied circumstances and fosters connections with individuals who may guide you or present new opportunities.

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Jon Hummel, Vice president, commercial banking, West Bank
Be a sponge. Identify a mentor, don’t be afraid to ask a ton of questions and never stop learning.  When your boss asks you to do something, always say “yes” and do it with a smile. Even if you don’t know how, say “yes” and figure it out. Always give 110% effort with everything you do. Lastly, take great notes!

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Kourtney Kirkpatrick, Director of advancement, Anawim Housing
Confidently assert your presence in professional settings and discussions. It’s important to recognize and believe that you deserve a seat at the table. Your ideas, insights and experiences hold value, regardless of your age or years in the industry. Diverse perspectives, including those of younger professionals, can lead to innovative solutions and foster a more inclusive environment. 

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Erin Knupp, Director of business development, Beal Derkenne Construction
One of the most memorable pieces of business advice I’d give to a young professional is to focus on building relationships. Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards; it’s about genuinely connecting with people, understanding their needs and finding ways to add value to their lives or businesses. Invest time in cultivating meaningful connections, both within and outside your industry. These relationships can open doors, provide valuable insights and even lead to unexpected opportunities down the road.

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Lauren Kollauf, Executive director, Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand
I have two. It’s OK to admit what you don’t know – demonstrate that you’re willing to learn or ask for help. It’s OK to change your mind – goals change, passions shift. Give yourself the grace and flexibility to try something else or chart a new course. 

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Kiersten Maertens, Managing director, account strategy, Flynn Wright
You can do hard things. Don’t shy away from your challenges and challengers; address them head-on. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, ask all the questions and then decide what feels right in your gut. Then go for it. 

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Vanessa Carolina Marcano-Kelly, Owner and lead linguist, Caracas Language Solutions LLC | Strategist, content, Principal Financial Group
Seek out structured leadership development opportunities such as New Leaders Council, Latina Leadership Initiative, One Iowa Leadership Institute, African American Leadership Academy, among others. Seek out mentors in the things that interest you. Start contributing to your 401(k) as soon as possible, even if there is no match, but especially if there is. Build and take care of your credit. 

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Jerrica Marshall, Executive director, Directors Council
Networking is integral to any job and holds significance in every role. The capacity to connect people or possess potential resources is consistently valuable, offering a competitive edge. By expanding your networking skills, staying abreast of industry trends and fostering career development, you can enhance your professional standing.

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Kristina Marshall, Regional vice president, BH Management
Say yes to all the things. Try something new, sign up for that volunteer opportunity your supervisor asked about, “yes” to the coffee run, “yes” to the new project or committee. You never know what opportunity will come out of it. 

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” –Wayne Gretzky.

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Jessi McQuerrey, Director of programs, Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation
Leadership is not measured by numbers – accolades, degrees, titles, etc. You are capable of making a difference exactly where you are with what you have. You don’t have to do it all right now. Let yourself off the hook and dive into your passion(s) when it feels right. Remember: Generosity is leadership. Inclusion is leadership. Authenticity is leadership. Love is leadership.

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Emily Mendez, Director of development, Proteus
The struggle you feel is actually called progress. Anyone you admire has failed more times than they’ve won, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Be moderately scheduled. Saying no to things that don’t align with your personal values can help with that. If you’re able, donate monthly (even $5) to a cause you care about. Practice gratitude, protect your sleep and never forget how wildly capable you are.

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Andrew Mertens, Executive director, Iowa Association for Justice
Listen to Obama’s advice on this. He says, “I’ve seen at every level people who are very good at describing problems … but I’m always looking for somebody who says, ‘Let me take care of that.’” In short, demonstrate that you can get stuff done and people will notice.

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Sammy Mila, Owner, Crème 
Network. I can’t emphasize that enough. There are tons of professionals out there with knowledge and advice that can assist you in your growth. Find them and keep them in your professional circle to help you as you continue your journey. Stay relevant and help them remember who you are.

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Morgan Miller, Political director, Iowa State Education Association
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead. This quote was passed on by a University of Iowa professor in college, reminding us that changemaking is in our hands.

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Karoline Myers, Director of education, Des Moines Performing Arts
Listen deeply, ask questions and be assured that you are immensely capable of contributing to making the world a better place. Whether through your career or community involvement, if you keep showing up and doing the next right thing, remarkable things can and will happen.

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Sharon Ndikurugamba, Executive director, African Immigrants and Refugees Transition Services
Embrace your uniqueness and recognize the beauty in what sets you apart. Share your opinions without fear and always maintain those relationships you create. No one can achieve their goals alone; people are always needed for support and collaboration.

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Dannie Patrick, Senior director of community impact, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Don’t be afraid or guilty to switch directions. You are not a failure for changing your mind on what you choose to do with your life. As someone who ended up finding a different career path, I initially struggled with this, but over time, I have taken comfort in realizing the ability to adapt and change is a skill.

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Leann Pederson, Senior partner, health care studio manager, registered interior designer, RDG Planning & Design
Get involved in something that matters to you in a real, significant way. You will get out of it what you put into it. Volunteering and building relationships with individuals will stick with you and serve you well far into the future.

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Nick Peterson, Strategic partnerships manager, Alliant Energy
Be intentional in all that you do and take time for reflection. My greatest success has come from being intentional in the networks I have created, in conversations where listening, learning and collaboration are key. Take time to reflect on both successes and failures.

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Mollie Ross, Vice president of operations, Technology Association of Iowa
Show up. It can be easy to blow off one more meeting or event, happy hour or volunteer opportunity, but you never know what opportunity may come your way or who you may meet. Show up, be present, engaged and ready to seize unexpected opportunities.

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Jenae Sikkink, Senior vice president of talent development and inclusive strategies, Greater Des Moines Partnership
Be salt and light. Salt draws out the best flavors and preserves goodness. Light shines brightly into darkness and provides direction.

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Zach Sims, Client executive, Holmes Murphy 
Be patient; waiting is the hardest part.

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Anna Stoermer, Executive vice president, chief marketing officer, Hy-Vee Inc. 
In order to be successful, you have to stay interested and curious about your line of work. Find a career you are passionate about, and when you love what you do, putting in the hard work is easier. Nothing in life comes easy, and the journey will likely not be fair; face the adversity head on and always be the one to raise your hand for a challenge. Overcoming the challenge may be the very thing that sets you apart.

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Jordan Stokes, Self-perform work leader, Midwest region, Ryan Cos
Build and maintain a strong professional network. Relationships can open many doors early in your career and always make a point of your well-being between work and family life.

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Ryan Tousley, Senior business development manager, Weitz Co.
Try your hardest to blur out the background noise. Don’t worry so much about what others are doing and focus on what you can control. Master what is in front of you and try hard things. Have big goals and utilize the people around you. Always continue to build your network, both personally and professionally. Everyone matters!

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Bridgette Uhlemann, Senior vice president and general counsel, LCS
Create your own personal definition of success. Align your career, relationships and hobbies with your mission, purpose and strengths.

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Rachel Wacker, Executive director, Greater Dallas County Development Alliance
Ask questions. Ask the dumb ones, the ones you’re worried might be disrespectful, the ones simply because you’re curious, the ones because you’re wondering if there’s a better way.

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Danielle West, Regional vice president, LifeServe Blood Center
As a young professional, it’s essential to embrace a growth mindset and continuously seek opportunities for learning and development. Networking is key, so don’t hesitate to connect with professionals in your field and beyond. Above all, be authentic, stay true to your values, and approach each day with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

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Alec Wilcox, Associate, Cushman & Wakefield Iowa Commercial Advisors
Network, network, network! The access young professionals have to leaders in our community is unmatched by other markets. Start by reaching out to those leaders for coffee or lunch. Simply ask them to share their story with you. You never know how valuable that relationship may become and what you may learn.