What are your goals in your role at your company?
I am focused on collaborating with nonprofits, schools, dental providers and other key stakeholders across the state. I want to continue to pilot and build initiatives that support the oral health of the children, older adults and Iowans who need dental care the most. 

What are your goals for community involvement?
As an Urbandale Complete Streets Advisory Committee member, I have been working on a “pop-up” protected bike lane and am excited to see our work in action during the Urbandale Mayor’s Bike Ride in May. Our goal is to create safe spaces and support roadway design that accommodates all transportation modes and users.

What’s your biggest passion, and why?
I live out my biggest passion every day in my job at Delta Dental. I really do love teeth and I love public health. I work at the intersection of both in my role in the {Delta Dental} Foundation where I get to impact the oral and overall health of Iowans through the projects we partner with and fund.

What is it that drives you?
My confident and positive co-workers at Delta Dental. They inspire me to do better, provide motivation and empower me to make the changes needed to succeed. We are one team.

What are your future aspirations?
I am a great worker bee, but have been able to lead projects and others in my position. I want to continue leading and developing my leadership skills to 
impact others.         

Reasons she’s a Forty:

1.) Maren leads Rethink Your Drink, a campaign to replace outdated water fountains with new water bottle filling stations in schools throughout Iowa. The campaign also provides oral health education and encourages students to choose water over sugar-sweetened beverages. 
2.) She developed the first statewide coalition established to address threats to community water fluoridation in Iowa.
3.) She serves on the Urbandale Complete Streets Advisory Committee.
4.) She launched the inaugural Susan G. Komen Greater Iowa Pink Honor Roll event to recognize top fundraisers in Central Iowa.

See all 2018 honorees