2019 Dubuque Conference

Bobbi Earles - Emcee

Bobbi Earles attended Loras College, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies and American Politics. She was hired right out of college by NBC affiliate KWWL in Waterloo, Iowa working her way up through the ranks of reporter, photographer and producer, eventually anchoring the 5, 6 and 10 o’clock newscasts. Throughout her career she was recognized by local, regional and national news agencies for her work health reporting and breaking news, receiving the National Headliner Award, Parent’s Choice Award, National Association of Broadcasters Award, Women in Communication Award, Associated Press Award and Iowa Broadcast News Association Award.

After 14 years in the broadcast news industry, Ms. Earles returned to the Loras College campus in 2003. She joined the Advancement Division working as a Senior Development Officer raising funds to advance the mission of the college. In 2005, she was promoted to Executive Director of Alumni and Communications helping to build engagement with alumni, friends and community members.

Civic engagement is important to Ms. Earles and since returning to Dubuque she has served as a board of director on a number of non-profits including Opening Doors, American Red Cross of the Tri-States and Two by Two Character Education.

Ms. Earles lives in Asbury with her husband Rich and together they have two daughters.

Carly Fiorina

Carly Fiorina is a business woman, podcast host, public speaker and philanthropist. Fiorina’s personal success story, starting out as a secretary for a small real-estate business and eventually becoming the first woman ever to lead a Fortune 50 company, uniquely positions her to speak about what it takes to achieve more, make a difference, and build a rewarding life.

Her mission is to inspire, equip and connect individuals and teams to seize opportunities, face challenges, and accelerate impact in their communities and organizations. Through Carly Fiorina Enterprises and Unlocking Potential Foundation, Fiorina and her team strengthen the problem-solving and leadership capacity across America. She is a sought-after speaker and advisor who wants to see people and organizations achieve their highest potential.

Carly was appointed by President Bush and CIA Director Michael Hayden to serve as the Chairman of the External Advisory Board of the CIA after 9/11. In this capacity, she held the highest clearances available to a civilian, and focused her efforts on CIA recruitment policies, information technology capabilities and organizational integration.

In 2015, Carly launched a campaign for President, running as a political outsider. Fiorina is also a best-selling author of three books, including Tough Choices, Rising to the Challenge and her latest release, Find Your Way.

Jade Romagna

After graduating high school with twenty-four college credits Jade Romagna headed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha on a cross country and track scholarship to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. After one semester the attraction of being closer to home and the reputable Pre-Law program at the University of Dubuque made the hometown institution the perfect fit to continue her education.

While at the University of Dubuque Romagna was a member of the cross country and track teams, achieving two school records on distance relay teams. Forgoing her final year of eligibility in athletics, Romagna focused her energy on the Pre-Law Moot Court and Mediation teams, twice achieving All-American honors in mediation.  Her success in the program was further awarded when she was tabbed a recipient of the Chlapaty Summer Fellowship in which her scholarly research produced “The Socioeconomic vs. Racial Impact of Driving Under Suspension.”  

Complimenting her academic work, Romagna served for two years as the Student Government Association class representative, interned at the law firm of Reynolds and Kenline and was also involved with County Attorney C.J. May’s election campaign.  

Additionally, Romagna was awarded Criminal Justice Student of the Year by the Criminal Justice Faculty and graduated in three years at the age of twenty with a Criminal Justice major and a minor in business (Cum laude 3.5 cumulative GPA).  During her last year of school Jade worked full time as an Assistant Personnel Manager at Platinum Supplemental Insurance, where she recently was awarded a promotion to Personnel Manager, a position that aids independent insurance agents across seventeen states prepare for their licensure.

Looking ahead, Romagna plans to become certified through the Iowa Association of Mediators, explore the application process to law school and continue growing her career with Platinum.  

Jessica Langenberg

Joy Bauer

Joy Bauer is one of the nation’s leading health authorities. She is host of NBC’s new show, Health + Happiness, and the nutrition and health expert for the TODAY Show. She’s also the founder of Nourish Snacks®, a monthly columnist for Woman’s Day magazine, and the official nutritionist for the New York City Ballet. Joy is the creator of JoyBauer.com and the author of 12 best-selling books. Her latest book,  Joy’s Simple Food Remedies, explores the healing power of food and features natural, holistic remedies for the most common every day ailments—including bloating, headaches, anxiety and stress, low energy, brain fog and high cholesterol.

In the earlier part of her career, Joy was the Director of Nutrition and Fitness for the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, as well as the clinical dietitian for their neurosurgical team. One of Joy’s most rewarding experiences was creating and implementing “Heart Smart Kids,” a health program for underprivileged children living in Harlem. Prior to making the jump to media, she taught Anatomy & Physiology and Sports Nutrition at NYU’s School of Continuing Education, as she worked to build what would soon become the largest private nutrition center in the country.

Passionate about delivering scientifically sound, realistic information to millions of Americans, Joy has received countless awards including the National Media Excellence Award from two of the most esteemed organizations, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics andthe American Society of Nutrition Science.

When she’s not dishing out health info or sharing delicious recipes on TV, you’ll find Joy making a mess in her kitchen or spending quality time at home with her husband, three kids, and fur-baby, Gatsby.

Joyce Connors

Nicole Gantz

Nicole L. Gantz is the marketing partner and chief marketing officer at Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C. (HK).  

With over 22 years of experience in the marketing field, Nicole is responsible for the marketing strategy for Honkamp Krueger & Co., P.C. (HK). She leads her team in brand development and management, customer experience and retention strategies, direct mail and email campaigns, marketing automation, search engine optimization, social media marketing, media relations, content marketing, publication development, and more. She also provides marketing consulting services to assist businesses with their own marketing strategies and initiatives. 

Nicole joined the firm in 2007. In 2012, she took on the additional responsibility of being the director of the HK Alliance, which consists of CPA firms across the U.S. sharing best practices and optimizing resources.  

Nicole earned her B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in marketing from Marquette University and an M.S. in management from Cardinal Stritch University, both in Milwaukee, Wis. In 2018, she was named INSIDE Public Accounting’s Association of Accounting Marketing Marketer of the Year and Person of the Year for Camp Albrecht Acres in Dubuque.

For civic involvement, Nicole is an executive board member and marketing committee chair for Steeple Square, board member for the Dubuque Mercy Health Foundation, board member for the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, secretary and board member for the Camp Albrecht Acres Foundation, a committee member for the Dubuque Oktoberfest fundraiser, and a former chair of the March of Dimes Northeast Iowa Signature Chef’s Auction. She is a member of the Association for Accounting Marketing, a former board member of the Women’s Leadership Network of Dubuque and the past president of the Wisconsin Direct Marketing Association.

Nicole Salazar

Tiffany O'Donnell

Tiffany O’Donnell is the Chief Executive Officer of Women Lead Change. Prior to joining Women Lead Change, Tiffany spent 25 years as a reporter and anchor at stations across the state including WQAD in the Quad Cities, WHO-TV in Des Moines and, most recently from 2001-2014 was the face and voice of CBS2/Fox 28 in Cedar Rapids, serving as an Emmy award-winning television lead anchor. She is credited with launching two successful news programs there, Fox News at 9 and Live at Five. 

A lifelong volunteer, Tiffany is a Board Member of the school-choice advocacy group Reaching Higher Iowa.  She was a charter member of the Board of Directors of the state’s only year-round market, NewBo City Market, and fulfilled a 6-year term on the Board in December 2016. She is also an inaugural member of the Board of Directors of the Revival Theatre Company, now into heading into its fourth season in the Corridor. Other organizations where she’s held board leadership positions include the Iowa Children’s Museum, Kids First Law Center and the Alzheimer’s Association of East Central Iowa.

In 2016, the Corridor Business Journal named Ms. O’Donnell a Woman of Influence.

Raised in Bettendorf, Tiffany holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and French from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and represented her home state in the 1989 Miss America Pageant after being crowned Miss Iowa 1988.