Member News

2019

July 

Congratulations to Peggy Fleming for receiving a Clarion Award! She will tell members all about it at an upcoming meeting.

December

Congratulations to Ann Black who has retired from her position at AARP and will be "swerving" into new opportunities!

July

Congratulations to Aileen Rojas who has a new job as Social Media Coordinator at Farm Bureau Financial Services! Best of luck with your new position, Aileen!

Congratulations to Kirsten Anderson who has a new position as Communication Consultant at Global Atlantic Financial Group. Best wishes for your continued success, Kirsten!

May

Congratulations to Leslie Garman who has accepted the position of Director of Development and Outreach at Des Moines Area Religious Council.

Congratulations to Tori Sorensen and her husband Chris on the birth of their baby boy!

Congratulations to Aileen Rojas on being awarded the Greater Des Moines Professional Chapter's Emerging Professional Scholarship!

April

Congratulations to Peggy Fleming on her promotion to Director of Communication and Engagement at West Bank. Her role has been expanded to include developing a social media program for the bank.

March

Members of the Iowa State University Agricultural Business Club selected Sarah Fiedler Thorn to receive their 2016 Outstanding Alumni Award at the annual award banquet March 4.

"The ISU Ag Business Club and its members, both past and present, hold a special place in my heart," Thorn said. "I am delighted to be chosen as the 2016 Outstanding Alumni by this year’s selection committee."

Recipients of the Outstanding Ag Business Alum Award at ISU are eligible to receive this award if they have a proven track record of success in their careers over a number of years after graduating.

"Among other things, Sarah Fiedler Thorn has made a significant, positive impact on Iowa and U.S. agriculture through her leadership role in getting policies enacted that have protected the rights of companies and farmers to use biotechnology in seed production. We are proud to recognize her for her accomplishments," said Ron Deiter, professor and club adviser.

"The ag business curriculum provides foundational knowledge in a variety of disciplines,” Thorn said. “The combination of general business, economics and agricultural science-based classes, gave me the background to adapt in an ever-changing marketplace. The connections I made with fellow ag business graduates has opened doors to opportunities along my career path."

Thorn received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Iowa State in 1981. While at ISU she was an active member of the Ag Business club, including serving a term as the club’s president. Thorn said that "leadership roles in college help to prepare students for taking leadership roles in the business world."

Thorn spent much of her career working for DuPont Pioneer ascending through the company’s government relations group. In 2014, Thorn established Thorn Consulting Group, LLC, a boutique consulting firm designed to meet client needs in understanding and addressing public policy trends. Via TCG, she helps clients interpret policy trends, provides strategic advice and delivers practical assistance in implementing outreach and advocacy projects.

January

We bid a fond farewell to former Chapter Treasurer Crissanka Christadoss who is moving to Dallas, TX.

Congratulations to our Chapter Membership Chair, Tori Sorensen who was recently promoted to Marketing Manager at Insta-Pro International in Urbandale!

2016

Congratulations to Micholyn Fajen and her company PCG Marketing, winners of a 2016 Best of Class Award from the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. The awards were presented at Sample Urbandale on November 17, 2016. Also, congratulations to Cecelia Munzenmaier who was a finalist in the Education Class of the awards.

Congratulations to Emerging Professional member Sarah Curran who accepted a new position as Marketing Communications Specialist for Eurofins in November 2016.

Congratulations to AWC member Kirsten Anderson who has a new position as Development Director at Courage League Sports in October of 2016. We know she will do a great job for this wonderful organization.

Congratulations to long-time AWC member Kim Coulter who accepted the position of Director of Communications at Central Presbyterian Church in June 2016. Looks like a good fit all around!

Congratulations to Tori Sorensen on winning two Clarion Awards!