News Release: 5/8/2017

 

For immediate release:  May 1, 2017 
Contact:  Diane Ramsey, diane.ramsey@iwlcleads.org                
 
ABI President Joins EPIC Corporate Challenge Advisory Board as the EPIC Corporate Challenge rolls out across the State
 
Des Moines, Iowa – Mike Ralston, President of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) has joined the Advisory Board for the EPIC Corporate Challenge (EPIC).  EPIC is a public-private partnership in support of Iowa women in leadership.  It brings together Iowa businesses to formally commit to grow and retain women at all levels of company leadership, creating a unique community of organizations working collectively on the vital issues of recruiting, maintaining, and promoting women in the workforce.    The initiative is led by Iowa Women Lead Change and the State of Iowa with Presenting Sponsors Delta Dental and Hy-Vee. 

Iowa Women Lead Change (IWLC) CEO Diane Ramsey says, “Mike is a proven leader.  His commitment to the EPIC Corporate Challenge Advisory Board will help this important initiative address the leadership needs of Iowa companies and, ultimately, improve the Iowa economy.” 
Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds is the Honorary Chair of the Advisory Council, with co-chairs Diane Ramsey from IWLC and Iowa Workforce Development Director, Beth Townsend.  The EPIC Challenge Advisory Council includes members varying in geographic location, industry, and organizational size.  

Currently, 49 companies have signed on to take the Challenge, with a goal of 100 by the end of 2018.  “Iowa is the one of only three states to have the EPIC Corporate Challenge and the ONLY state to measure the results.  It’s critical that we have maximum participation to ensure accurate and robust results,” said Co-Chair and Iowa Workforce Development Director Beth Townsend. 

EPIC rollout events will take place: 
May 12      Sioux City   
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce  
         1:30pm-2:30pm  
         101 Pierce Street, Sioux City, IA 
 
To learn more about the EPIC Corporate Challenge, and see a full list of events and participants, please visit www.iwlcleads.org/epic.