May 9, 2023 at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center

Time Session Speakers
8:30 a.m. Doors Open for Check-in
9:00 a.m. Welcome Remarks Daniel Van Sant, The Harkin Institute
9:10 a.m. Success for the Summit and Beyond Ashlea Lantz, The Harkin Institute
9:20 a.m. The State of Disability-Tech: Innovations for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Bob Ludke, The Harkin Institute

Sandy Lacey, Perkins School for the Blind

10:00 a.m. The Value Proposition of Disability Inclusion

Moderator: Bob Ludke

Ryan Rotundo, CEO Commission

Molly Gill, John Deere Financial

10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. The Connection between Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Long-Term Financial Security Matt Stagner, Voya Financial
11:35 a.m. Panel Discussion: Day in the Life of a Startup

Moderator: Aarti Sahgal, Synergies Work

Em’s Coffee Co – Em Hillman

Poppin’ Joe – Joe Steffy

Chai Ho Tea – Angad Sahgal

Blinded by Ambition – Jasmin Duffey

12:25 p.m.  Lunch Break
1:45 p.m. Panel Discussion: Local Resources and Perspectives in Business Development

Moderator: Daniel Van Sant, The Harkin Institute

Kochell Rickleffs-Weber, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Kevin Brown, Iowa Legal Aid

Lee Bissmeyer, Principal Financial Group

Ciara Ladroma, Entrepreneur and Consultant

2:30 p.m. Panel Discussion: Disability as an Innovator

Moderator: Bob Ludke, The Harkin Institute

Mike Hess, Blind Institute of Technology

Michele Lee, Cruise

3:15 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Breakout Session: Continuation of Disability as an Innovator Groups of 8-10 per table
4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks Michelle Lee, Cruise
5:30 p.m. Provided Transportation to Mainframe Studios from the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center

May 9 at Mainframe Studios

Time Session Speakers
6:00 p.m. Reception Starts
6:30 p.m. Welcome Remarks Ginger Brennan, Voya Financial
7:00 p.m. Dining in the Dark Experience Begins
8:00 p.m. Fireside Chat

Moderator: Kandi Pickard, National Down Syndrome Society

Joe Quintanilla, National Braille Press

Brian Switzer, Perkins School for the Blind

Ginger Brennan, Voya Financial

9:00 p.m.

Reception Concludes

Provided Transportation back to the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center from Mainframe Studios

 

May 10, 2023 at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center

Time Session Speakers
10:00 a.m. Welcome Remarks
10:15 a.m. Job Fair and Networking
11:45 a.m. Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. Business Pitch Session 1:00 p.m. Clear Vision, James Warken

1:25 p.m. Munevo, Claudio

1:45 p.m. Universal Design Works, A Mason Metzger Company

2:05 p.m. Poppin Joe’s Gourmet Kettle Korn, Joe Steffy

2:25 p.m. John’s Crazy Socks, John and Mark Cronin

2:45 p.m. Closing Remarks Daniel Van Sant, The Harkin Institute
4:00 p.m. Job Fair Concludes