OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT - 2025

Description

The public is invited to attend the OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT on Thursday, October 30 at the Waterloo Convention Center. The Opportunity Summit is Grow Cedar Valley’s annual event dedicated to advancing inclusive, resilient workplaces and communities.

Designed for business leaders, HR professionals, and community partners, the summit explores how culture and engagement are shaping today’s workplace and how organizations can adapt with purpose. Sessions are organized into three tracks: Innovation, Culture, and Strategy. This gives attendees the chance to choose content that fits their role and goals.

Through practical tools, open conversations and real-world strategies, the Opportunity Summit helps participants strengthen culture, improve engagement and connect business success with people-centered practices.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Kyle Ali

A proven leader in education and talent development, Kyle Ali excels at building diverse talent pipelines and fostering inclusive workplaces. Drawing on over a decade of experience in non-profit and corporate leadership, he has been instrumental in shaping the emotional culture of teams and driving initiatives that cultivate a sense of belonging. Kyle's career trajectory has taken him from the classroom—beginning as a high school teacher in Baltimore—to leadership roles where he has championed large-scale efforts to expand access and social capital for emerging talent. Today, he continues this work as an adjunct professor at Villanova University, preparing future HR leaders to champion inclusion and organizational change.

Nicole Turner

Nicole L. Turner is a transformational leader, organizational development expert, and founder of three impactful ventures dedicated to driving change at both individual and organizational levels.

As the founder of The Culture Pro®, Nicole specializes in transforming organizations by optimizing culture, enhancing strategy, and delivering actionable solutions. She partners with organizations to navigate complex challenges through change management, operational efficiency, succession planning, and culture assessments. Nicole believes that "culture is the engine that drives change and fuels growth," and her strategic approach helps organizations achieve sustainable success.

Through Turner Training Institute (TTI), Nicole delivers high-impact training solutions that develop leaders, strengthen teams, and transform workplace culture. Her interactive, results-focused programs empower entire workforces, from frontline staff to executive leaders, creating measurable improvements in performance, communication, and collaboration.

Nicole's commitment to holistic transformation extends to personal development through Detox For Your Life®, where she helps individuals identify and address negative thought patterns, limiting beliefs, and harmful habits that hinder personal growth and well-being.

With her integrated approach to organizational and personal transformation, Nicole combines strategic insight with practical solutions to help both companies and individuals achieve their full potential and create lasting, meaningful change.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

Leading Mission in a World of Legend vs. Legacy

Norm Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Family YMCA of Black Hawk County - CULTURE TRACK

Discover how to lead with purpose in a diverse workforce by balancing metrics with mission, practicing servant leadership, and leading by listening. This session explores how to build a culture of excellence that keeps organizations relevant, transforms products into the “Product of Choice,” and leaves a lasting legacy over fleeting legend.

From Vision to Action: Aligning Business Strategy and Company Culture to Drive Results

Lynette Hemann, Senior Director of Brand & Communications at CCR Technologies - STRATEGY TRACK

Even the best strategies fail without a culture to sustain them. This session shows how to align culture with strategy to drive the right behaviors, accelerate performance, and achieve organizational goals. Attendees will gain practical tools to embed strategy into daily actions, measure alignment, and inspire ownership across every level of the organization.

Leadership as the Business of Connection

Amy Eastman, VP Human Resources at Viking Pump, Inc. - CULTURE TRACK

True leadership is built on relationships—not just results. This session explores how connected leaders leverage curiosity, clear expectations, and regular feedback to strengthen trust, support accountability, and create high-impact teams. Attendees will learn how to use effective questions, foster coaching moments, and lead through meaningful connections that differentiate both leader and organization.

Breaking Down Silos: Building True Teams Employees Want to Stay In

Erika Kramer, Senior Director of Wellness Services at Thrivera - STRATEGY TRACK

With over half of U.S. employees open to leaving their jobs, leaders must go beyond departments to build true teams where people feel connected, valued, and engaged. This session highlights simple, low-cost ways to break down silos, foster open conversations, and create a workplace culture where employees want to stay and thrive. Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen relationships, tap into team strengths, and drive positive results across the organization.

Redefining DEIB: Human Innovation as a Business Asset

Kyle Roed, CHRO at CPM - INNOVATION TRACK

Innovation isn’t just about products—it’s about people systems. This session challenges traditional DEIB playbooks and introduces a redefined framework for Human Innovation, rooted in neuroscience, accountability, and real-world lessons from high-growth environments. Attendees will gain a practical blueprint for embedding belonging into business systems, tools to drive cultural accountability, and strategies to influence change across every level of the organization.

PANELISTS:

People, Team, and Culture: Local Perspectives on Building Strong Organizations
A panel of local leaders will share how their organizations approach people, team, and culture best practices that drive success. Through a moderated discussion and audience Q&A, participants will gain insight into real strategies that create engaged teams and thriving workplace cultures.