National Advisory Council

The Harkin Institute’s bipartisan National Advisory Council is comprised of national leaders in business, public service and education who provide guidance and direction for the institute while serving as some of its most ardent supporters.

In addition to providing valuable insight on strategic planning for the institute, members of the National Advisory Council (NAC) play a vital role as speakers and mentors.

Through various capacities, NAC members offer internship and professional development opportunities to Drake University students involved with The Harkin Institute.

Ray Walton (Chair)

  • Retired Shopping Center Executive

Patricia Beneke

  • Former US Assistant Secretary of the Interior
  • Former United Nations Environment Programme Regional Director for North America 

Charles E. Cook, Jr.

  • Editor and Publisher, The Cook Political Report
  • Columnist, National Journal

Ruth R. Harkin

  • Former Senior Vice President, United Technologies Corporation
  • Past Member, Iowa Board of Regents

Sharon Haselhoff

  • General Manager & Regional Vice President, Grand Falls Resort

James W. Hubbell III

  • Chairman, Hubbell Realty Company (Retired)

Rachel R. McLean, Ph.D.

  • Ruan Companies

Kevin Nordmeyer

  • Principal, BNIM Architects

Mary Sellers

  • President, United Way of Central Iowa
  • Former U.S. President, United Way Worldwide

Liz Shuler

  • President, AFL-CIO

Matt Stagner, CFP®, ChFC®, CSA®, AIF®, CPFA®, ChSNC®, MBA

  • Lead Advisor, Foster Group

Steve Sukup

  • President & CEO, Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Ex-Officio Member

Senator Tom Harkin (Retired)

  • Former Iowa Senator

Past Members

Michael G. Gartner

  • Former Principal Owner, Iowa Cubs
  • Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
  • Former President, NBC News

Greg Geoffrey

  • Former President of Iowa State University

David E. Maxwell, Ph.D

  • President Emeritus, Drake University

Sally J. Pederson

  • Former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa

Stephen W. Roberts

  • Of Counsel Attorney, Davis Brown L.L.P
  • Former Iowa Republican State Chairman

Nancy G. Shor

  • Former Executive Director, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives

Marsha Ternus, J.D.

  • Former Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice
  • Inaugural Executive Director, The Harkin Institute

Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D. 

  • President, Des Moines University

Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311

Phone: (515) 271-3623

Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.