2026 Professional Development Day
Ways of Working
Intelligent Delivery: The Next Era of Strategy and Analysis with AI
We are thrilled to announce that we are joining the local International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) chapter in hosting a Spring 2026 Professional Development Day! It will be hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn in West Des Moines. This will be an excellent opportunity to remain updated on AI's expanding use in the workplace and network with a broader pool of local professionals. Our day of event schedule can be found here.
Meet our 2026 Speakers!
Becky Rupiper - KEYNOTE , Tero Internation - Senior Training and Image Consultant
With over 20 years of experience, Becky is a dual-certified Corporate Image Consultant and Intercultural Etiquette Trainer specializing in the art of perception management. She works with high-level professionals nationwide to ensure their visual and verbal presentation aligns perfectly with their career goals. A dynamic keynote speaker and executive coach, Becky leverages her expertise in leadership development and MBTI to help individuals unlock their full potential through increased confidence and credibility.
Sinikka Waugh Your Clear Next Step - President and CEO
As the President and CEO of Your Clear Next Step, Sinikka Waugh, PMP, is a dedicated trainer and coach who has helped over 59,000 people improve their workdays since 2008. With over 20 years of experience in project management and leadership, she is known for a "try this now" approach that blends professional expertise with down-to-earth, actionable problem-solving. A graduate of Central College and the University of Iowa, Sinikka leverages her passion for helping others to ensure her clients consistently get things done and reach their full potential.
Paula A. Bell Paula A. Bell Consulting - Owner/CEO
With over 21 years of corporate experience, Paula Bell is a high-impact speaker, coach, and consultant known as "The BA Martial Artist™." A certified Master Life Coach and Business Analyst, she has led multi-million dollar transformations and held executive leadership roles across diverse industries. Paula leverages her extensive background in project management and business analysis to help organizations and individuals achieve peak performance and self-development.
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Aaron Matthews Value Alignment Consulting LLC - Owner
As a Fractional Executive and Founder of Value Alignment Consulting, Aaron Matthews, MBA, PMP, brings over 21 years of leadership in digital transformation and AI strategy. He specializes in bridging the gap between complex technology and human capability, having delivered measurable operational excellence for organizations ranging from healthcare IT to global manufacturing. Aaron’s servant-leadership philosophy focuses on using technology as a force multiplier to unlock human potential and drive organizational modernization.
Calvin Truong Business Analysis Professional
With over 20 years of experience in business analysis and technical leadership, Calvin is a results-driven expert in streamlining operations and driving Agile transformations. Most recently serving as a Business Analysis Lead at Docupace, he has a proven track record of increasing team efficiency and revenue through strategic roadmapping and automated system integrations. Calvin blends a strong technical background in Computer Science from Iowa State University with experience in wealth management and SaaS to deliver scalable, high-impact solutions for complex organizations.
Tim Gifford Lean TECHniques, Inc. - Chief Innovation Officer
As Chief Innovation Officer at Lean TECHniques, Tim Gifford has spent over two decades helping organizations transform IT from a cost center into a competitive advantage. A veteran consultant specializing in digital transformation and software delivery, he is dedicated to modernizing the industry through proven agile and DevOps methodologies. Tim is also a pillar of the Des Moines technology community, having co-founded both Agile Iowa and DevOpsDays Des Moines to foster local innovation and leadership.
Diogenes Ayala MercyOne - Public Safety Leader
Diogenes Ayala is a Public Safety Leader for MercyOne Des Moines and a U.S. Navy veteran with over 20 years of experience in emergency management and homeland security. Named Iowa Emergency Manager of the Year in 2022, he has trained more than 1200+ professionals in disaster preparedness and counterterrorism. Ayala holds graduate degrees in Criminal Justice from Simpson College and Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.
David Kuhn Farm Bureau Financial - Data Management VP
David Kuhn is the Vice President of Data Management at Farm Bureau Financial Services, where he leads enterprise architecture and data strategies. With over 25 years of experience, including nearly a decade as a Vice President at Wells Fargo, he has a proven track record of managing multi-million dollar technology transformations and large-scale data ingestion platforms. An Iowa State University alumnus and strategic advisor, David specializes in evolving complex IT systems into efficient, metadata-driven operations that support diverse business initiatives.
Aaron Santos, PhD DNP123 - President and Co-founder
Aaron Santos is an assistant professor of physics at Simpson College with a BS from MIT and a PhD from Boston University. A veteran of emerging technologies for over 25 years, he previously served as a Data Science Supervisor and Innovation Lab leader at EMC Insurance. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded DNP123 Co and NanoBio Designs, and has authored three books—including the forthcoming Nanotech Reboot—specializing in practical math, estimation, and the future of nanotechnology.
Amy Swaner, JD Founder and CAIO at Lexara
Amy K. Swaner is a seasoned attorney and legal technology expert with over 20 years of experience helping the legal profession capitalize on the potential of artificial intelligence. An early advocate for ethical AI implementation, she specializes in demystifying complex technologies into practical strategies that automate workflows and augment legal capabilities. Through personalized consulting and educational seminars, Amy guides law firms in executing roadmaps for AI integration, enabling them to boost efficiency and deliver high-value, data-driven services to their clients.
