Breakout Sessions

In this session the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center team will lead you through the in’s and out’s of starting your business. Participants will learn about the technical aspects of starting a business including business structures, licenses, and taxes. Additionally, participants will learn about resources that can help them start and grow their business here in the Cedar Valley.  

Presenter

Patrick Luensmann
Director
Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center
University of Northern Iowa

Learning Objectives

1. Get a base understanding of the technical requirements to start a business
2. Learn about resources to connect with you continue to grow your business
3. Get answers to your business questions

Brief Description of Organization

UNI Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center empowers and supports entrepreneurs and innovators at UNI, in the Cedar Valley and throughout Iowa. We are the centralized hub where Iowa entrepreneurs can find resources, explore programs, collaborate with peers and the community, and develop their new or existing ventures. 

This session explores the rapid changes in federal policy and funding since the January 2025 inauguration. We will explore the impact on non-profit organizations, their staff, and the communities they serve, with a focus on changes affecting refugees, parolees, TPS holders and other categories of ORR-eligible individuals.

Presenters

Erin Good
Waterloo Service Coordinator
Immigrant and Refugee Community Services

Erin Good has worked in the human services field for over 20 years and she launched the LSI services in Waterloo for immigrants and refugees in 2023. Previously she worked with LSI’s residential facility. She also spent over 20 years coaching and mentoring youth as part of the Aplington Parkersburg Dance Team and counselling. Erin enjoys spending time with her family, being on the water, and spending time with her new grandson.

Clayton Boeyink
Family Services Manager  

Clayton Boeyink has spent 5 years working directly in refugee resettlement, teaching English, supporting refugees to find employment, and creating a refugee mental health program in Des Moines in 2014. He’s also a “recovering academic”, getting a Masters and PhD at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. From 2015-2023 he did research with refugees in Nairobi,  Tanzania, and coordinated a research project among displaced populations in Kenya,  South Africa, DR Congo, and Somalia. He has also led research consultancies among the world’s leading humanitarian organizations. Moving back from Scotland to Iowa in 2023, he has led refugee resettlement, case management, and employment programs with LSI in Des Moines. Clayton loves traveling, playing/watching basketball and soccer, and goofing around with his family.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand different categories of Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligible populations

2. Recognize the impact of federal policy changes on local individuals and families

3. Identify barriers to self-sufficiency for refugees and immigrants

4. Identify the ways funding instability can affect nonprofits and how to navigate change

Brief Organization Description

Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is one of the largest non-profits in the state of Iowa, with services in all 99 counties. LSI provides early childhood education, mental health programs, foster care and adoption, immigrant and refugee services and services for people with disabilities and mental/behavioral challenges.

The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and hiring practices are changing right along with it. Today, it’s no longer enough to simply rely on past experience or formal education — success in the job market requires strategy, self-awareness, and intentional career management.

In this session, we’ll explore key hiring trends, including what makes a resume stand out, how to cultivate a meaningful professional network, and how the interview process is shifting. Whether you're currently employed, navigating a recent layoff, or exploring your next career move, this session will provide valuable insights to help you stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

Presenters

Matthew Nuese
Associate Director
Career Services, University of Northern Iowa

Learning Objectives

1. Discussion on the shifting workforce needs
2. Focus on job movement (resumes, interviews, network)
3. Intentional planning for career 

Brief Description of Organization

UNI Career Services serves as the professional development hub for UNI’s 9,000 students, connecting them to meaningful career opportunities. Guided by the mission “We help students succeed!”, the office supports students in their career journey while also partnering with over 1,000 hiring organizations each year. Career Services manages more than 125,000 job and internship postings annually and collaborates with economic development organizations, nonprofits, and communities across the region.

In an era of rapid policy shifts and evolving community needs, building sustainable professional practices is critical for long-term organizational and personal resilience. This session will move beyond traditional work-life balance discussions to focus on how professionals in Cedar Valley’s social services, education, and health care sectors can leverage collaboration, professional networks, and resource sharing to sustain their work and better serve the community. Participants will gain practical strategies for nurturing professional connections, creating resource hubs, and navigating opportunities for partnership that strengthen both individual capacity and organizational impact. We will explore how these collaborative habits directly contribute to the Cedar Valley's overall community resilience.

Presenters

Kristina Kofoot, CNP serves as the Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the University of Northern Iowa and Director of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association. In her role, she fosters strong campus-community partnerships and mentors students pursuing the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential as they prepare for impactful careers in the nonprofit sector. Kristina is passionate about creating opportunities that help students thrive both on campus and in the community.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify at least three ways that professional hubs and collaborations can act as a buffer against challenges posed by policy and funding changes.
2. Develop a plan for strengthening professional networks to facilitate resource sharing and mutual support.
3. Recognize and articulate opportunities for cross-sector partnerships.