Leadership Iowa 2025-26 Participants & Community Hosts Announced

We’re proud to share that our own Zach Schmit, Head of Operations and Owner of Covenant Workplace Solutions, has been selected as part of the 2025–26 Leadership Iowa class!

Below is the official press release from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry announcing all 40 leaders chosen for this year’s program.

September 4, 2025 – Forty leaders from across the state have been selected to participate in the 2025-26 program of Leadership Iowa, Iowa’s premier issues-awareness program offered by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation. See the Leadership Iowa 2025-26 participant list here. 

Since its founding in 1982, more than 1,500 Iowans have participated in the program, representing every corner of the state as well as a wide range of industries, companies, and backgrounds. Leadership Iowa’s mission is to educate, inspire, and connect a network of informed leaders while fostering their continued engagement at the local and statewide levels.

“The 2025-26 Leadership Iowa class reflects leaders who are committed to the future of our state and who are eager to learn and collaborate,” said Nicole Crain, ABI President, “When forty top business, education and community leaders from all corners of the state come together, this experience will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on their communities and beyond.”

The 2025-26 class will travel to communities throughout Iowa for a series of two-day monthly sessions beginning in October and concluding in June. Each session allows participants to explore important topics related to our state through discussions with subject-matter experts, interactive experiences, industry tours and more.

Session topics and hosts change annually. The following communities and topics will be represented this year:

• Indianola – Opening Retreat (October)
• Fort Dodge – Agriculture & Renewable Resources (November)
• Cedar Valley – Workforce & Economic Development (December)
• Des Moines – Government (January)
• Muscatine – Manufacturing (March)
• Decatur County – Education (April)
• Perry – Rural Vitality (May)

The class will graduate at ABI’s annual conference next June in Iowa City/Coralville.

The Presenting Sponsors of the 2025-26 Leadership Iowa program include EMC Insurance and John Deere.

Iowa Association of Business and Industry

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Iowans by providing personal and professional development programs for students and adults. The ABI Foundation’s leadership and educational initiatives foster growth and innovation in Iowa, promote quality leadership, and inspire the current and future workforce in our state. Learn more at www.IowaABIFoundation.org.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has been the voice of Iowa business since 1903. Its mission is to provide a strong, unified voice to business and industry on issues affecting Iowa employers. ABI is comprised of member companies representing all industries and sizes in Iowa’s 99 counties. ABI members employ more than 330,000 Iowans.