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SUMMARY:Entrepreneurial Lunch: Building Your Business Support Team
DESCRIPTION:Join Greater Iowa City\, Inc. and the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center for our next Entrepreneurial Lunch!This panel will explore how business support organizations can help at different stages of your entrepreneurial journey\, from launching an idea and overcoming early challenges to planning for long-term growth. You'll gain a better understanding of what's available\, when to access different types of support\, and how to build a network of resources that can help your business thrive. This event is free\, but registration is required.\nModerator: Shannon Henderson: Economic Development Manager at the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Shannon Henderson serves as the Economic Development Manager at the University of Iowa's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. She oversees Venture School and the NSF I-Corps program\, working with entrepreneurs across Iowa to help them validate ideas\, build strong businesses\, and connect with the right resources. Throughout her career\, Shannon has focused on creating meaningful partnerships and supporting innovators at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. She's excited to moderate today's discussion on building a strong support network for entrepreneurs. Panelists:Tom Altman: Fractional Executive at Altus CXO and Business Resource Center ExpertTom Altman is a fractional CIO and technology strategist with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations align technology with business strategy and long-term growth. Through his work with Altus CXO\, he provides executive-level technology leadership focused on strengthening operational foundations\, improving workflows\, and guiding digital transformation initiatives. Tom specializes in helping organizations become AI-ready by building strong systems\, clean data structures\, and scalable processes that support automation\, analytics\, and emerging technologies. He also works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to develop practical technology strategies that connect directly to business outcomes. As a volunteer expert with Greater Iowa City\, Inc.'s Business Resource Center\, Tom provides guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners on technology planning and operational efficiency\, helping them leverage technology to support sustainable growth.Megan Brandt: Innovation Program Manager at the Iowa Economic Development AuthorityMegan is a Program Manager at the Iowa Economic Development Authority\, where she leads initiatives that support entrepreneurs\, manufacturers\, and investors across the state. Her work focuses on expanding access to capital\, strengthening innovation ecosystems\, and helping businesses scale. Prior to joining the state\, Megan served as Director of Maple Studios\, a startup studio supporting industrial technology and early-stage companies. She also spent six years building and managing the Global insurance Accelerator program\, working closely with founders and industry leaders to drive innovation. Earlier in her career\, she worked at Workiva\, where she contributed to internal and external communications strategy. Megan holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University\, an associate degree from Iowa Central Community College\, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. Frederick Newell: Founder and Executive Director at Dream CityFrederick Newell is the Founder and Executive Director of Dream City\, a community-powered nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families\, developing leaders\, and creating pathways to economic opportunities. Founded in 2012 to address father absence\, Dream City has grown under Frederick's leadership into a dynamic community hub serving youth\, families\, entrepreneurs\, and emerging leaders across the Corridor area. Through youth leadership development\, family support\, workforce readiness\, entrepreneurship\, and community-building initiatives\, Dream City equips people with the relationships\, resources\, and opportunities they need to thrive. Frederick is known for his visionary\, collaborative approach to leadership and his belief that lasting transformation happens when people are empowered - not rescued. His work remains grounded in a clear mission: building stronger families\, developing capable leaders\, and creating thriving communities for generations to come.
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:Join Greater Iowa City\, Inc. and the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center for our next Entrepreneurial Lunch!
This panel will explore how business support organizations can help at different stages of your entrepreneurial journey\, from launching an idea and overcoming early challenges to planning for long-term growth. You'\;ll gain a better understanding of what'\;s available\, when to access different types of support\, and how to build a network of resources that can help your business thrive. \;
This event is free\, but \;registration is required.
Moderator: \;
Shannon Henderson: Economic Development Manager at the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center \;
Shannon Henderson serves as the Economic Development Manager at the University of Iowa'\;s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. She oversees Venture School and the NSF I-Corps program\, working with entrepreneurs across Iowa to help them validate ideas\, build strong businesses\, and connect with the right resources. Throughout her career\, Shannon has focused on creating meaningful partnerships and supporting innovators at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. She'\;s excited to moderate today'\;s discussion on building a strong support network for entrepreneurs.
\;
Panelists:
Tom Altman: Fractional Executive at Altus CXO and Business Resource Center Expert
Tom Altman is a fractional CIO and technology strategist with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations align technology with business strategy and long-term growth. Through his work with Altus CXO\, he provides executive-level technology leadership focused on strengthening operational foundations\, improving workflows\, and guiding digital transformation initiatives. Tom specializes in helping organizations become AI-ready by building strong systems\, clean data structures\, and scalable processes that support automation\, analytics\, and emerging technologies. He also works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to develop practical technology strategies that connect directly to business outcomes. As a volunteer expert with Greater Iowa City\, Inc.'\;s Business Resource Center\, Tom provides guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners on technology planning and operational efficiency\, helping them leverage technology to support sustainable growth.
Megan Brandt: Innovation Program Manager at the Iowa Economic Development Authority
Megan is a Program Manager at the Iowa Economic Development Authority\, where she leads initiatives that support entrepreneurs\, manufacturers\, and investors across the state. Her work focuses on expanding access to capital\, strengthening innovation ecosystems\, and helping businesses scale. Prior to joining the state\, Megan served as Director of Maple Studios\, a startup studio supporting industrial technology and early-stage companies. She also spent six years building and managing the Global insurance Accelerator program\, working closely with founders and industry leaders to drive innovation. Earlier in her career\, she worked at Workiva\, where she contributed to internal and external communications strategy. Megan holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University\, an associate degree from Iowa Central Community College\, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. \;
Frederick Newell: Founder and Executive Director at Dream City
Frederick Newell is the Founder and Executive Director of Dream City\, a community-powered nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families\, developing leaders\, and creating pathways to economic opportunities. Founded in 2012 to address father absence\, Dream City has grown under Frederick'\;s leadership into a dynamic community hub serving youth\, families\, entrepreneurs\, and emerging leaders across the Corridor area. Through youth leadership development\, family support\, workforce readiness\, entrepreneurship\, and community-building initiatives\, Dream City equips people with the relationships\, resources\, and opportunities they need to thrive. Frederick is known for his visionary\, collaborative approach to leadership and his belief that lasting transformation happens when people are empowered - not rescued. His work remains grounded in a clear mission: building stronger families\, developing capable leaders\, and creating thriving communities for generations to come. \;
LOCATION:136 S. Dubuque St. Iowa City IA 52240
UID:e.1679.1578091
SEQUENCE:3
DTSTAMP:20260811T164329Z
URL:https://iowacityareabusinesspartnership.growthzoneapp.com/eventscalendar/Details/entrepreneurial-lunch-building-your-business-support-team-1859083?sourceTypeId=Hub
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