Iowa Ideas 2021
Guest Speakers & Keynotes

Iowa Ideas 2022 Keynotes

We're proud to announce our 2022 Keynote speaker, Simon Estes!

• Opening Keynote

  

  Opening Keynote Speaker, October 14, 2021

  Simon Estes

  Iowa Native • Internationally-acclaimed Bass Baritone

  More about Simon
  

  About Simon

  Simon Estes, internationally-acclaimed bass baritone, is the star of the stage at the world's major opera houses, a regular guest at international festivals, and has appeared with leading international orchestras under eminent conductors.

   

  Rising from humble beginnings in the small town of Centerville, Iowa, this grandson of a slave sold at auction for $500, son of a father who faithfully provided for his family with menial jobs from coal-mining to serving as a hotel porter, is an amazing success story.

   

  With family values founded upon a godly heritage, character-building struggle and sacrifice, Simon Estes successfully faced each new hurdle and career challenge, culminating in triumph for this extraordinarily gifted performing artist. When asked if he thought we were victims of fate or makers of our own destiny, he answered quickly "Makers of our own destiny."

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  Opening Keynote Speaker

  Simon Estes

  Iowa Native • Internationally-acclaimed Bass Baritone

Iowa Ideas 2021 Keynotes

Here's a look at our keynote speakers from the 2021 Iowa Ideas conference.

• Opening Keynote

  

  Opening Keynote Speaker, October 14, 2021

  David Gould

  Visiting Associate Professor
  @ U of Iowa's Public Policy Center

  More about David
  

  About David

  David Gould is a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center.

   

  For over a decade, the focus of Mr. Gould’s work has revolved around reimagining higher education, and in turn, he has created a number of distinctive university courses concentrated on issues of meaning and community engagement.

   

  These courses have garnered considerable media attention and professional recognition. From 2010 – 2020, graduating seniors at the University of Iowa have recognized Mr. Gould as one of the top faculty and staff members “who has had a positive effect on their life.” Mr. Gould was awarded the 2020 Honors Teaching Award and 2019 David J. Skorton Staff Excellence Award in Service to The University of Iowa.

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  Opening Keynote Speaker

  David Gould

  Visiting Associate Professor
  @ U of Iowa's Public Policy Center

• Friday Keynote

  

  Friday Morning Keynote, October 15, 2021

  Thomas Abt

  Author • Speaker • Senior Fellow, Council on Criminal Justice

  More about Thomas
  

  About Thomas

  Thomas Abt teaches, studies, and writes about the use of evidence-informed approaches to address violent crime and other public safety problems. He is the author of Bleeding Out: The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence - and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets, published by Basic Books in June 2019.

   

  Abt is a Senior Fellow with the Council on Criminal Justice in Washington, DC and chairs its Violent Crime Working Group. Prior to the Council, he served as a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy and Law Schools. Before that, he held leadership positions in the New York Governor's Office and the U.S. Department of Justice.

   

  Abt’s work has been featured in major media outlets, including the Atlantic, the Economist, Foreign Affairs, the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and National Public Radio. His TED talk on saving lives by stopping violence has been viewed more than 190,000 times.

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  Friday Morning Keynote

  Thomas Abt

  Author • Speaker • Senior Fellow, Council on Criminal Justice

• Closing Keynote

  

  Closing Keynote Speaker, October 15, 2021

  Peggy Whitson

  Iowa Native • Former Nasa Astronaut
  First Female Space Station Commander

  More about Peggy
  

  About Peggy

  Peggy Whitson has over 35 years in space and science experience with NASA and as a consultant. During that time, she has held various positions, including Chief of the Astronaut Office, Commander of the International Space Station (twice), Chair of the Astronaut Selection Board, Science Officer, Operations Branch Chief, Deputy Division Chief for both Medical Sciences and the Astronaut Office, and co-chair of the US/Russian Mission Science Working Group. She is currently consulting with Axiom Space and training as the backup Commander for the first Axiom Commercial space flight to the ISS.

   

  Whitson has flown on three long duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS) (Expeditions 5, 16, 50/51/52) and has more cumulative time in space than any US astronaut and more than any woman in the world (665 days). She has conducted 10 Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA, spacewalks) with over 60 hours to her credit, and performed hundreds of research experiments on board the ISS.

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  Closing Keynote Speaker

  Peggy Whitson

  Iowa Native • Former Nasa Astronaut
  First Female Space Station Commander

• 

  Kelly Garcia

  Kelly Kennedy Garcia serves as the Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS). Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Garcia to oversee the state's health and social services agency in November 2019. She was unanimously confirmed by the Iowa Senate on February 26, 2020. On June 30, 2020, it was announced that Garcia would take on the role of interim Director at the Iowa Department of Public Health effective August 1, 2020.
  
  Throughout her career, Garcia led improvements in organizational structure, program management, and policy development to large health care systems. She also brings to the role a commitment to building successful teams that will help Iowa families succeed.

• 

  Governor Kim Reynolds

  Governor Kim Reynolds is the 43rd governor of Iowa and has the distinction of being the first woman elected to the state’s highest office. She has a long record of public service which also includes serving as Lieutenant Governor, State Senator and Clarke County Treasurer. Governor Reynolds’ strong conservative values are reflected in her priorities for Iowa. Under her leadership, Iowans have benefitted from:
  
  · The largest tax cut in state history and continued tax reform;
  · Record investments in public education;
  · Increased access to mental health care; and
  · Aggressive workforce policy initiatives that will keep Iowa’s economy strong.
  
  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Governor Reynolds maintained a balanced approach to protect the health, lives and livelihoods of all Iowans. Iowa’s health care system remained stable, our economy remained open for business, and our schools reopened in August for the start of a new academic year. Iowa now ranks first in the nation for the fastest COVID-19 recovery.