Our Mission

Lead a business-education partnership to help develop the leadership skills of Cedar Valley students.

Our Vision

Our students will be prepared to contribute to the success of the Cedar Valley community and its employers.

Our Core Values

Servant Leadership- We believe leadership is for everyone. Through modeling leadership, focusing on strengths and creating opportunities for others, we empower people who will empower others.

Human Connection- We believe in the power of diverse relationships. Through fostering trust and being a resource for others, we develop sustainable partnerships.

Integrity- We believe authenticity is best and character matters. Through responsible use of community investments and leading by example, we build a reputation of positive impact.

Lifelong Learning- We believe education is an ongoing journey. Through investing in individual and community development, we equip people to change their lives.

Facilitate Change- We believe challenges are opportunities to improve. Through a flexible response to change, we create better results that ripple into the community.

Programmatic Priorities and Outcomes

PRIORITY 1

Future Talent Pool

Develop the future talent pool by expanding the reach of leadership opportunities to PreK-12 students in the Cedar Valley

Outcomes

Ensure students develop essential future-ready skills needed for their life ahead

Strengthen the Cedar Valley workforce

PRIORITY 2

Current Talent Pool

Strengthen the current talent pool by providing relevant, quality leadership programming

Outcomes

Ensure current and budding leaders are equipped to lead in the Cedar Valley

Strengthen the Cedar Valley workforce

Leader Valley Staff

Nicole Hackman
Director of Fundraising and Communications

nicole@leadervalley.org
319-404-8048

Kristen Kimball
Director of Finance and Operations

kristen@leadervalley.org
319-558-8805

Shantavia Parker
Coach/Facilitator

shantavia@leadervalley.org
319-504-3466

Melissa Reade
Executive Director

melissa@leadervalley.org
563-880-4190

Leader Valley Executive Committee

Chair
Katie Hillyer
True North Restoration of the Cedar Valley

Vice-Chair
Jamekia Sanders
Women’s Center for Change

Treasurer
Gretchen Ogden
US Bank

Secretary
Kendra Richman
UnityPoint Health

At-Large
Shanlee McNally
Retired Waterloo Schools Board Member

At-Large
Aaron Jarnagin
Integrity Grove

Past Chair
Bryan Earnest
AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising

Leader Valley Council

Erin Bishop
AMPERAGE Marketing & Fundraising

Rachel Breuer
Cardinal Construction

Precious Clark
One Cedar Valley

Carolina Coronado-Park
UNI International Studies

Kim Cross
Retired Cedar Falls Principal

Liz DeJoode
PDCM Insurance

Stephanie Detweiler
Grow Cedar Valley

Josh Halverson
John Deere

Michele Knaack

Emily Knutson
Hawkeye Community College

Jeremy Langner
Northwestern Mutual- Hubbard Financial Group

Danny Laudick
Mayor of Cedar Falls

Selvedina Nuhanovic
Vine Valley Real Estate

Vicki Parsons
Farmers State Bank

Madelyn Ridgeway
24/7 BLAC

Jay Schmitz
Mindr

Abby Turpin
Northeast Iowa Food Bank

Juan Villa
Veridian Credit Union

Braden Yauk
Pella Windows and Doors