Women of Influence

Diane Bridgewater is a Des Moines executive who has pursued jobs that added substance to her life.
“I always wanted to work for something that had some kind of meaning,” said Bridgewater, executive vice president …

Margaret Borgen gets satisfaction in helping people excel, which has led to a lifelong passion for improving education. 

The soft-spoken North Dakota native has had numerous roles in education in her life, including teacher, administrator …

When Alba Perez was leaving Honduras for the United States as a young adult, she got some advice from her mother.

“She said, ‘Whatever you do – whether you are in …

Patty Cownie doesn’t need to be in the spotlight.

That’s why Cownie, a longtime community volunteer, didn’t see the need to put her name on the new Meals from the Heartland facility, which had a …

A couple of years ago during the Christmas season, Barbara Crowley sent a “significant” additional contribution to Des Moines Performing Arts. When the organization’s development officer called to thank her and inquire about the additional …

Linda Grandquist recalls, when she was 5 years old, walking down the street with her grandmother, who was one of the first female chiropractors in the country. People would pass by and say, “Good morning, …

Being singled out for recognition – for instance, being named a 2013 Woman of Influence – tends to make Laura Jackson a bit uncomfortable. She much prefers being a team player at Wellmark Blue Cross …