Iowa Ideas 2025
Keynote Speakers

Kirk Ferentz is in his 27th year as Head Coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes football team. Ferentz is the longest-tenured football coach in FBS football. He has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times, National Coach of the Year twice, and enters the 2025 season ranked second all-time in Big Ten conference wins (128) and overall wins (204).

Under his leadership, Iowa has won two Big Ten Championships, three Big Ten West Division crowns and earned 22 bowl game invitations in 26 seasons. Ferentz has coached 18 consensus first team all-Americans, 32 first-team all-Americans, and 12 academic all-Americans.

Kirk and Mary have been married for 45 years, have five adult children and 13 grandchildren. The Ferentzes have donated millions of dollars to important causes around Iowa including the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Mary Ferentz has been an advocate for many causes throughout her life including serving as Chair of the Children’s Hospital Council from 2006-19. Mary was one of the driving forces behind the Iowa Ladies’ Football Academy, which raised more than $3 million for the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital between 2010-2022.

Kirk and Mary have been married for 45 years, have five adult children and 13 grandchildren. The Ferentzes have donated millions of dollars to important causes around Iowa including the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Heather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Overnight Guest and her most recent thriller Everyone is Watching. Her debut novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant NYT bestseller and remained on the list for 22 weeks. Gudenkauf’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 25 countries and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Her books have been featured on many Best Of roundups including lists by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Amazon, Apple Books, GoodReads, and more. Her eleventh novel, The Perfect Hosts will be released on November 4, 2025. Heather lives in Iowa with her family.

Doug Goettsch is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 38 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. As the co-founder of Big Grove Brewery in Solon, Iowa, and a partner in the Big Grove Brewery and Taproom locations in Iowa City, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids, Doug has been instrumental in shaping the local culinary landscape. His impressive portfolio also includes partnerships in four renowned Iowa City restaurants: Pullman Bar & Diner, St Burch Tavern, Barrett’s Quality Eats, and the revitalized Hamburg Inn #2.

Doug’s passion for exceptional food service is backed by a robust educational foundation. He holds a B.A. in Foodservice Management and earned a certificate from The Culinary Institute of America’s Accelerated Culinary Arts Program (A.C.A.P.), along with his credentials as an A.C.F. Certified Chef de Cuisine. His career highlights include serving as the Director of Corporate Relations at The Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley—a role that enriched his vision of blending elevated cuisine with the relaxed charm of casual upscale dining.

Driven by a love for hospitality, Doug is dedicated to delivering memorable experiences that echo the high standards he encountered during his travels and professional journey across the United States. His mission is to bring a refined yet unpretentious dining experience to Iowa, ensuring that every guest feels the passion and precision he brings to the table.

When he’s not innovating in the restaurant scene, Doug enjoys balancing his busy professional life with family time, sharing life’s adventures with his wife, Sarah, and his three wonderful boys. Whether managing multiple establishments or keeping up with family life, Doug approaches every challenge with the same commitment and enthusiasm that defines his culinary career.