Business & Leadership Conference

9:15-10:30 AM | Supply Chain: Is it Really the Problem?

Tony Rose '05
Vice President of Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement, CRST International
Adjunct Professor, Mount Mercy University

The global supply chain has been rocked by disruptions initially caused by COVID-19 and paired with a boom in demand. We'll discuss the current state of the supply chain and how shortages of workers, equipment, and space have compounded the issue.

10:45 AM-Noon | Organizational Resilience

Dr. Celina Peerman
President, Peerman Group
Adjunct Professor, Mount Mercy University

What makes an organization effective? We’ll explore aspects of human behavior that form and shape organizational life and results. Strategy, leadership, decision-making, teamwork, emotional health and well-being, conflict resolution, and motivation are just a few of the topics that impact our life at work.

1:30-2:45 PM | Resolving Tension Creatively

Nicole McElligott ’00, ’17 MSL
Associate Director, Supply Chain Excellence, Collins Aerospace
Adjunct Professor, Mount Mercy University

In every business, there is conflict. This session takes a look at common dispute resolution/mediation processes and strategies shown to be effective in the organizational context.

3:00-4:15 PM | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Stefanie Munsterman ’14 MBA, ’17 MSL
Executive Director, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

Developing a culture of belonging, one in which all employees feel valued, accepted, and are given the opportunity to perform to their highest potential, is the future of organizational leadership and management. This session will explore the relationship between effective DEI strategies and sustainable competitive advantage and how to enhance your inclusive leadership abilities.

9:15-10:30 AM | The Power of a Growth Mindset

Rogan Stoops ’12, ’17 MBA
Business & Leadership Graduate Programs Assistant Director, Mount Mercy University

Growth mindset. This phrase often surfaces in today’s workplace. You may hear someone say, “It's all about mindset,” on a regular basis. While easy to say, generic language does not provide the punch that we may intend. Join us as we dissect and digest the importance of really understanding the power of a growth mindset.

10:45 AM-Noon | To Change or Not to Change

Nicole McElligott ’00, ’17 MSL
Associate Director of Supply Chain Excellence, Collins Aerospace
Adjunct Professor, Mount Mercy University

There are general beliefs and misconceptions about change. This session will examine popular change frameworks and methodologies, how these are applicable for leaders, and how they can be used to affect and support optimal culture and outcomes.

1:30-2:45 PM | Remote Leadership: What Have We Learned?

Marcie Van Note
Business & Leadership Graduate Programs Director, Mount Mercy University

Wayne Turmel
Co-Founder, Remote Leadership Institute

Virtual and hybrid workplaces were born out of necessity—somewhat on the fly. What's working well, and what should we do away with? Wayne Turmel, virtually from Las Vegas, and Marcie Van Note will lead a discussion on the state of today’s workplace. Come with your questions—like multi-generational work culture, complicated interactions with colleagues, or something particular to your occupation—to ask the expert in this field.

3:00-4:15 PM | Leadership with Larry

Dr. Larry Long
Senior Learning & Development Professional, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Adjunct Professor, Mount Mercy University

9:15-10:30 AM | Managing People & Teams

Dr. Tim Laurent
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mount Mercy University

Our environments require us to manage people, teams, and projects. This interactive session will provide you with some hints, tips, and tricks to create high-performing employees and teams.

10:45 AM-Noon | New Rules of the Workplace

Marcie Van Note
Business & Leadership Graduate Programs Director, Mount Mercy University

There’s not much COVID hasn't changed. Even etiquette and professionalism in the workplace have seen an evolution: more cursing, less handshaking, and throwing a business jacket over a t-shirt and sweatpants for meetings. In this session, we'll sort out what practices are probably gone for good and how to get a handle on the post-COVID workplace.

1:30-2:45 PM | Difficult Conversations

Dr. Celina Peerman
President, Peerman Group
Adjunct Professor, Mount Mercy University

Conflict is necessary and yet can be difficult to embrace in our personal and professional lives. This session will explore key points to having better conversations even when they are hard. Learn new techniques to navigate important conversations that are important to you.

3:00-4:15 PM | Impact Change from Where You Sit

Rogan Stoops ’12, ’17 MBA
Business & Leadership Graduate Programs Assistant Director, Mount Mercy University