Women of Influence

Kim Willis

Women of Influence 2023 Honoree: Kim Willis

Click here to watch Kim’s video

Education: BA from the University of Iowa

Hometown: Waukee, grew up in West Des Moines

Family: Husband, Rich

Hobbies: Traveling, cooking, biking, walking

Words to live by: The miracle …

Shaimaa1

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Emerging Woman of Influence 2023 Honoree: Shaimaa Aly

Click here to watch Shaimaa’s video

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics, Cairo University; Master of Business Administration, Drake University

Hometown: Cairo, Egypt

Family: Husband, Fuad Yahya; two sons, one stepson and one stepdaughter.…

Claudia Schabel

Iowa State University Ivy College of Business Woman Business Owner of the Year 2023 Honoree: Claudia Schabel

Click here to watch Claudia’s video

Education: Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Drake University

Hometown: Des Moines

Family: Spouse, Brad Schabel and pet dog. Stormy

Hobbies: Reading, traveling and cooking

Words to live …

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2022 Women of Influence

The Business Record’s Women of Influence awards celebrate the work of Central Iowa women who have made a difference. They’ve devoted their lives to doing things most wouldn’t and to making an impact. They’ve spent …

Jessica Rowe

Jessica Rowe: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Jessica Rowe thanks her mother and grandmother for instilling in her the sense of independence and adventure she believes has been instrumental in her love of travel and art.
“It was incredibly empowering, that sense …

Rita Perea

Rita Perea: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Rita Perea believes her purpose in the world is to help other people, and that has manifested in three passions that have become threads woven throughout her career and life: education, business and finance.

Perea …

Trudy Holman Hurd

Trudy Holman Hurd: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

When you’re working on a community project with Trudy Holman Hurd, expect questions — challenging questions, say people who know her well. 
“She listens for process, partners and outcome,” wrote Pat Boddy in her nomination …

Dr. Hayley Harvey

Dr. Hayley Harvey: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

Hayley Harvey was 7 years old when her mom came home one day in a taxi, climbed the stairs up to the family’s Detroit apartment and, without saying a word, went to her bedroom to …

Anne Bacon

Anne Bacon: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

If you were to sit down for a job interview at IMPACT Community Action Partnership with Anne Bacon, the first question she would ask you is, “Why are people poor?”


She’s not looking for a …

Dr. Aneesa Afroze

Dr. Aneesa Afroze: 2022 Women of Influence Honoree

If you had to pick two words to describe Dr. Aneesa Afroze’s purpose in life, they might be education and opportunity. 

Her love for learning started from day one. Afroze was born in Hyderabad, India, …

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