Strategic Doing is a methodology founded through the brilliant work of the forward thinkers at the Purdue Agile Strategy Lab. Strategic Doing teaches teams and coalitions of the willing, how to “form collaborations quickly, move them toward measurable outcomes and make adjustments along the way. In today’s world, collaboration is essential to meet the complex challenges we face”.
Tom and Laurie will review the sets of habits and actions to guide an appreciative question into actionable and iterative “traction” for you and your non-profit organization.
About the presenters: Tom Banta and Laurie Worden
Laurie Worden’s body of professional work includes sales and project management, training and coaching, banking services, and work-based learning program and service development. As the Director of Workplace Learning Connection (WLC), a department of Kirkwood Community College, she has the pleasure of leading an experienced staff focused on serving area students, educators, business leaders and community members in the common goal of connecting today's students to tomorrow's careers. In delivering innovative career exploration opportunities, her department has been honored and recognized by state and national partners for providing exemplary programming. Connections to their work is found at https://www.kirkwood.edu/workplace-learning-connection/index Her credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Applied Business, Mount Mercy University, Master of
Organizational Leadership, St. Ambrose University, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach Certification, Job and Transition Coach Certification through the Career Planning and Adult Development Network and advanced experience and professional training in Strategic Doing. Laurie served as co-lead of the Iowa Intermediary Technical Assistance Center Team, the Iowa Intermediary Network coalition and the Department of Education Statewide Intermediary Network Steering Committee. She currently serves on the AREA 10 Regional Planning Partnership and the ICRFuture Career Connected Learning Coalition. Laurie is a 2019 Gazette HER Award recipient and leads
local volunteer efforts as a Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids board member and newly appointed 2021 president of the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation. Her strengths include Activator, Relator, Positivity, Individualization and Connectedness. Noted for her
abilities to envision opportunity with the individual and the system, Laurie enjoys the challenges of building successful teams focused on positive change making, guiding collaborative work groups, coaching individuals in goal attainment and connecting resources to make good things happen.
Tom Banta
Born and raised in the Mountain West in a state that boasts more antelope than people, he found his way to Iowa with the opportunity to play college baseball. He graduated a Hawkeye with a degree in Economics before embarking on a diverse and winding path of business and relationship development opportunities. He is a sharp dressed, smooth talking, Tough Mudder that between Crossfit workouts, and climbing the 14,000 ft peaks of Colorado spreads the gospel of the Iowa City area in an effort to attract business to the region. From Automated Vehicles and Education Technology to Natural and Organic Foods, Tom takes his work seriously, but rarely himself. He found his way to ICAD via a sorted and checkered career history with roles at Allsteel, Tippie College of Business, and community place-making with the Blue Zones Project. Along the way he has lived in Silicon Valley and Austin, TX, but proudly calls Iowa City his home. He is married with two teenage step-sons, three dogs, and a cat that keep things interesting outside the office. He volunteers his time as a High School baseball coach, enjoys golf, cooking, and a good bike ride. The simple things in life, like good beer, good food, and good conversations along with family and friends are what he finds the most rewarding.