Vanessa McNeal to Speak at First Friday Series
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (July 19, 2017) — Iowa Center for Economic Success’s Women’s Business Center and the Greater Des Moines Partnership have announced a new presenter for the First Friday Series lunch-hour event on Aug. 4 at Gravitate Valley Junction. Vanessa McNeal, a speaker and film producer, will be the presenter. Sue Horton, the originally scheduled presenter, is unable to participate this month and will be rescheduled at a future date.
First Friday is an opportunity for savvy, successful business owners and entrepreneurs in Greater Des Moines (DSM) to share their stories. The First Friday series gives a chance for attendees to catch some words of wisdom from women who have experienced entrepreneurship first-hand. Past speakers include Leng Vong Reiff of Akili Design and Marketing Services, Liz Lidgett of Adore Your Walls and Emma Walsmith of Tikly.
Sessions are free and open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. Locations rotate among The Iowa Center, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Gravitate Valley Junction. The August event will be held at Gravitate Valley Junction, 318 Fifth St. in West Des Moines.
McNeal, MSW, is an accomplished and acknowledged public speaker and storyteller. Through her work in speaking and film production, she informs and transforms audiences with her passion and veracity. McNeal is a survivor of child abuse and sexual violence, and she uses her past as a vehicle to empower, educate and inspire others. McNeal is the producer of the internationally recognized documentary, “The Voiceless,” an hour-long documentary that features the stories of male survivors of sexual violence. The documentary explores taboos, stereotypes, intersectionality and the impact sexual violence has on male survivors.
Click here to register for the event or register via email by emailing ebsusanin@theiowacenter.org.
About Iowa Center for Economic Success
For more than 25 years, Iowa Center for Economic Success has been committed to empowering Iowans to pursue opportunities for financial success. Whether someone starts their relationship with us through our Education + Resources, Credit + Lending, or Advocacy + Networking programs, our commitment remains the same: empowering them to turn good ideas into strong plans that result in financial success. To learn more, visit: www.theiowacenter.org.
About Iowa’s Women’s Business Center (WBC)
Iowa’s WBC, a program of Iowa Center for Economic Success, is dedicated to helping Iowa women business owners as they launch and grow their businesses. The Iowa WBC provides classes, business seminars, networking opportunities, one-on-one coaching, and business counseling for women across the state of Iowa. In 2016, the WBC served over 1,000 clients. Iowa Center for Economic Success’ Women's Business Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.