Ramsey Tribute 2017

Thank you,
Diane
Ramsey!
Celebrating Diane’s years of
service and congratulating
her on her retirement.
No one better
illustrates the fact that
one woman can make
a difference,
as long as she has a powerful
vision, is relentlessly focused,
inspires others with her boundless
energy and creativity, and most
important, is unfailingly kind and
loves to laugh, mostly at herself.
Diane Ramsey is a true original.”
Susan Shullaw
Susan Shullaw & Associates

I had the privilege of working
with Diane over many years.
Whatever assignment she was
given, she provided energy, passion
and willingness to do what was
necessary to achieve success.
Tom Aller
former president, Alliant Energy
“Diane is the proverbial Energizer bunny with a brooch,
drumming away within earshot of thousands of women in Iowa and beyond. Her
vision, passion and entrepreneurial spirit is the beat that keeps women like myself
focused on being the best women, the best leaders and the best versions of ourselves.”
Anne Parmley
senior vice president, Client Services and
Iowa General Manager, Pearson
A product of the
Corridor Business Journal
June 19, 2017
Molly Altorfer, writer
Julia Druckmiller, designer
Kelly Meyer, media consultant
Thank you
for your years of service.
WE ARE PLE ASED TO CONGR ATUL ATE
Diane Ramsey
Iowa Women Lead Change
“
Here’s to strong women.
May we know them.
May we be them.
May we raise them.”
Well done, Diane.
We are grateful for your dedicated service
and wish you the best in the years ahead.
Congratulations on your retirement.
Equal Housing Lender. Member FDIC. ©2015 U.S. Bank 150752 9/15
usbank.com
www.plaidswan.com
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
563-556-1633
info@plaidswan.com
2 Congratulations, Diane Ramsey!

Diane has
been a tireless
advocate
for women
across the
state of Iowa
and the
Midwest her
entire career.
Diane Ramsey makes mark
on Corridor and beyond
Linda Mattes
vice president,
Alliant Energy
By Molly Altorfer
Diane Ramsey is
the co-founder
and chief executive
officer of
Iowa Women
Lead Change
(IWLC), the
state’s first and only 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization dedicated to the
advancement, development and
promotion of women and their organizations,
and to impacting the
regional economy.
Under her stewardship, IWLC transitioned
from a grassroots-driven
once-a-year event into a non-profit
organization advancing the interests
of women’s leadership across the region.
Since 2007, IWLC events have
reached more than 19,000 women,
girls and men, and raised more than
$4.5 million in sponsorships and
registration revenue used to underwrite
its programming.
Ms. Ramsey has expanded IWLC
to host events “border to border”
in Iowa, with conferences in Siouxland
(Sioux City), Central Iowa (Des
Moines), Eastern Iowa (Corridor)
and Dubuque. Earlier this year, the
Women’s Connection of the Quad
Cities merged with IWLC and has
assumed responsibility for its Quad
Cities events. She has led organizational
growth and at her retirement
oversees a staff of nine.
In 2010, Ms. Ramsey founded Corridor
Women Connect, a non-profit
organization dedicated to leading
and encouraging Cedar Rapids/Iowa
City employers in sharing best practices,
leadership development and
networking. IWLC has subsequently
created Metro and Siouxland Women
Connect organizations. She is a
founding member of the Women’s
Leadership Project, a statewide
consortium that produced
the “She Matters: 2012 Status
of Women and Girls
in Iowa” report and subsequent
follow-up initiatives.
The most recent of
this collaboration is the
“She Matters: 2015 Issues
and Action” report.
Ms. Ramsey spent three years
at Rockwell Collins supporting the
company’s leadership role in IWLC
and two years as the enterprise chair
for Rockwell Collins Women’s Forum,
one of its corporate employee
resource groups. Prior to Rockwell
GO TO PAGE 4
2007
June 19, 2017 3

“Diane always found a way to inspire
and engage people in a purpose.
She always thinks big. No small goals
for her. And she makes delicious
chocolate truffles!”
Jon Bancks
CFP, financial advisor, vice president,
The Bancks Halyard Group at Morgan Stanley
FROM PAGE 3
Collins, Ms. Ramsey served more than
15 years with Alliant Energy in a variety
of leadership positions in economic and
community development, its sales and
strategic accounts business and communications
and strategic affairs. At Alliant
and its predecessor company, IES Industries,
she was an advocate for and active
in the organization’s diversity and women’s
leadership initiatives.
Ms. Ramsey arrived in Cedar Rapids
in April 1988 with her husband, Bruce
Johnson, a faculty member at the University
of Iowa. She joined the team at Creswell,
Munsell, Fultz & Zirbel (CMF&Z),
the legendary Iowa-based advertising
agency, where she would ultimately hold
a variety of roles, including account supervisor.
Ms. Ramsey would make her
mark at CMF&Z, Alliant Energy, Rockwell
Collins, and eventually as co-founder
and CEO of IWLC.
She has held numerous volunteer and
board positions nationally, statewide and
locally. She currently sits on the Corridor
Women Connect board of directors (chair
2010-2012), Four Oaks board of directors
(chair 2011-2012) and Theatre Cedar
Rapids board of trustees. She recently finished
her term on the St. Luke’s Health
Care Foundation board of directors and
the Waypoint board of trustees. She is a
national delegate for Vision 2020, a coalition
of organizations and individuals
committed to achieve women’s economic
and social equality. Ms. Ramsey is also
a founder of the statewide Iowa Women’s
Leadership Project (IWLP), which created
the She Matters report. She is also on the
Governor’s Committee on Diversity and
a member of the Governor’s Non-Profit
Task Force (2004).
Her efforts have been recognized by several
organizations. In 2009, the Corridor
Business Journal recognized Ms. Ramsey
as a Woman of Influence. Waypoint recognized
her as a Pillar of the Community
in 2011. In 2013, the Women’s Equality
Coalition of Linn County honored her as
Woman of the Year. Ms. Ramsey frequently
speaks on women’s leadership and talent
issues and advises organizations on
creating more inclusive cultures.
After 10 years at the helm of IWLC, Ms.
Ramsey is stepping down this month.
She will move to part-time and focus on
strategic initiatives, such as IWLC’s EPIC
Corporate Challenge.•
On behalf of our helpful smiles –
thank you for all you’ve done for
women in Iowa and beyond!
www.hy-vee.com
Thank you, Diane, for your
leadership, passion, and vision.
Congratulations on your
retirement, Diane!
equityinlearning.act.org
@ACTEquity
Diane with Dr. Tererai Trent and Melissa Murer Corrigan
R
Member FDIC
4 Congratulations, Diane Ramsey!

“How to describe Diane and her approach to the
cause of advancing women and ensuring our access
to equal opportunity? She’s fierce. Passionate.
Energetic. Creative. Resourceful. Inclusive. Selfless.
Unstoppable. And incredibly funny. She’s as
comfortable in C-suite conversations as she is in playdates
with her granddaughters. She’s a role model and
an inspiration.”
Kathryn M. Kunert
vice president, Economic Connections and Integration,
MidAmerican Energy
We can help you achieve
your personal goals —
and your goal to help others
Congratulations and best
wishes to Diane Ramsey!
Giving back to your community is
important to you - and to us. That’s
why we’re committed to helping you
make a difference.
Merrill Lynch
4550 East 53rd Street
Suite 200
Davenport, IA 52807
800.937.0934
Life’s better when we’re connected ®
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, a registered broker-dealer and Member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.
Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value
© 2017 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. ARNGY57G | MLWM-101-AD | 470946PM-1016 | 10/2016
June 19, 2017 5

Diane has made
a significant and
enduring contribution
to the field of women’s leadership.
She has helped advance the idea and
understanding of women’s leadership as
an economic imperative to ensuring that
our state continues to grow and thrive.
Through her work in founding IWLC, she
has led an organization that has reached
more than 19,000 women and girls
with leadership development messages,
and raised more than $4.5 million in
sponsorships and registration revenue
used to underwrite its programming.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds
State of Iowa
6 Congratulations, Diane Ramsey!

Diane is a force of nature. There are few people I know who are as
effective as she is in influencing others and getting what she wants.
Diane helped me better understand that entrepreneurship doesn’t
have to be just a for-profit endeavor. Her work with IWLC epitomized
entrepreneurialism at its best and how to build a successful
business and brand. It only made sense that she was able to deftly
accomplish this after decades of experience in various marketing
and economic development roles.
John Lohman
CEO and publisher, Corridor Business Journal
Chris Lindell
president and CEO
Guaranty Bank & Trust
“The first thing Diane Ramsey said to
me when we met at IES was, ‘Our future
is bright,’ and then she handed me a
pair of sunglasses. Diane’s energy and
drive have brightened our lives and
her work continues to inspire others to
achieve more than they imagine possible.
Thanks, Diane!”
2012
Women leading
change
For 10 years, Alliant Energy has been honored
to support and partner with IWLC, the state’s premier
leadership organization for women.
We congratulate Diane Ramsey for her outstanding leadership
the past 10 years and offer best wishes to Tiffany O’Donnell
as she leads the organization into the next decade!
TEN YEARS STRONG
June 19, 2017 7

“Diane is a force of nature and the Energizer bunny
wrapped into one. Her passion, enthusiasm, vision and
drive has grown and shaped IWLC from a single yearly conference
to a powerhouse non-profit organization that has
become a statewide force in improving the lives and leadership
status of women. Diane is never deterred. She leads by
example and is able to inspire others to see the larger vision
and to understand the importance of supporting girls and
women. She is generous to a fault and encourages women
around her to stretch far beyond what they think themselves
capable of doing. Her spirit is contagious.”
Maureen Kler Osako
partner and CMO, Informatics
ALL THINGS INTERNET ®
8 Congratulations, Diane Ramsey!

“We encouraged Diane
to leave her Chicago post
and join Creswell, Munsell
et al for an account
management assignment.
This was when female account
managers were very
rare and considered a big
risk. Diane was our first or
second such hire. Motivated
in part by her pioneering
agency role, she
jumped big-time on the
assignment...worked hard,
learned fast, proved quickly
that females could be
stars in this sort of work.”
2013
Bill Munsell
chairman, CMF&Z
A decade of leadership.
Influence beyond measure.
For 10 years, Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC) has enriched regional business by providing women with
the resources and role models to develop leadership skills to their full potential. As a proud IWLC supporter,
Rockwell Collins applauds this milestone anniversary and two IWLC leaders: Diane Ramsey, outgoing CEO,
on her retirement; and Tiffany O’Donnell, incoming CEO.
© 2017 Rockwell Collins. All rights reserved.
rockwellcollins.com
June 19, 2017 9

“Diane Ramsey has taught me that
true passion comes with a price –
sometimes everything you’ve got.
But that’s where the good stuff
happens; where the real work of
this world gets done. And that’s
why so much real work gets done
by Diane. She simply refuses to let
up, especially with herself.”
Robyn Hepker
Benson & Hepker Design
“Few possess the passion and fortitude to advocate for the
advancement of all women as Diane Ramsey has done over the
years throughout her career. During my time as city manager of
Cedar Rapids, Diane’s leadership has directly inspired me in my
work and helped elevate me as a leader.”
Jeff Pomeranz
city manager, city of Cedar Rapids
Diane,
MODERN DAY
WONDER WOMAN
CONGRATULATIONS DIANE RAMSEY!
Congratulations on your retirement! As you
venture off on a new journey, you can look back
with pride and joy knowing that your dedication
to IWLC will make a lasting impact on the future
development, advancement, and promotion of
Iowa women. It’s been an honor and a privilege
getting to know you through the years.
Best Wishes!
Thank you for being a voice, an inspiration and
leading change for women in Iowa!
The team at Van Meter thinks you’re a super hero!
!
Stefanie Rupert
President/CEO
Collins Community Credit Union
Marsha Schulte
Chairperson of the Board
Collins Community Credit Union
1.800.247.1410 // vanmeterinc.com Everything you need to succeed.
Federally insured by NCUA
Equal Housing Opportunity
10 Congratulations, Diane Ramsey!

Diane’s vision of advancing
women in Iowa has put us at the
forefront of this important issue.
Her leadership, ‘don’t take no’
attitude and tenacity will benefit
men and women in Iowa for
generations to come.”
Nancy Kasparek
regional president, US Bank
CONGRATULATIONS
DIANE RAMSEY
on your leadership, dedication and inspiration in
our community.
from your friends at ImOn Communications
connecting DISCOVER
THE RIGHT in our CONNECTION
community
Diane,
Thank you for all
you’ve accomplished
in recognizing and
promoting the value
of women in the Iowa
Workforce. Your spark
lit a fire that is burning
brightly.
With sincere appreciation –
the Women of Pella Corporation!
There is
no limit
to what we as
women
can accomplish.
- MICHELLE OBAMA
Diane, through your vision and leadership of Iowa Women Lead Change,
you have created a legacy that will continue to influence the lives of
individuals in our greater community and state for years to come.
Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!
June 19, 2017 11

Inspirational.
Passionate.
Go-Getter.
DIANE RAMSEY
Retiring Chief Executive Officer
Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC)
Thank you for your dedication
to helping women achieve success.
UFG is a proud member of the EPIC Corporate Challenge,
an initiative led by Diane Ramsey.
12 Congratulations, Diane Ramsey!