Strategic Elements believes strongly in supporting the continued education and professional growth of our team. Last September, our leadership nominated Liz Silva, Associate Vice President, Operations, as one of 40 members in Leadership Iowa’s 42nd Class and sponsored her participation.
Leadership Iowa is an esteemed statewide issues-awareness program offered by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation. It is designed to develop and connect leaders from across Iowa by providing a comprehensive understanding of the key issues facing the state, including economic development, education, healthcare, and government. A series of seminars, tours, and interactive sessions are held in Iowa communities providing participants with firsthand insight in these critical areas.
Liz continuously shows her passion and strength in leadership at Strategic Elements, and we are so proud of her achievement of being selected for this program and the learnings it brings back to benefit our team and our clients.
John Stineman, Founder and Chief Strategist at Strategic Elements and alum of Leadership Iowa said, “We prioritize professional development for our people. This was a great opportunity to invest in Liz’s advancement as a leader.”
Here’s what Liz has to say about Leadership Iowa over the past year:
Can you explain the importance to you in being selected for the Leadership Iowa class of 2023-24?
Being selected for LI42 is a significant honor as it recognizes individuals who have demonstrated strong leadership potential and a commitment to community service. This selection aligns perfectly with Strategic Element’s mission to drive impactful public affairs initiatives by furthering my understanding of and addressing state-level challenges. This experience has expanded my network of influential leaders, enhancing my ability to contribute effectively to our firm’s strategic goals and reinforce our commitment to making a positive difference in the communities we serve.
What was your favorite part of Leadership Iowa?
My favorite part of Leadership Iowa was the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of leaders from various backgrounds – an edge for our results-driven public affairs practice which leverages Iowa’s stakeholders to advance client objectives. The networking and the exchange of ideas were invaluable, allowing me to gain different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in our state. It was inspiring to see how collective efforts drive meaningful change and how growing my network enhances Strategic Element’s capabilities.
What are the top 3 most important things you’ve learned from the program?
- Diverse Perspectives Enhance Solutions –– The program taught me that incorporating diverse perspectives leads to more comprehensive and effective solutions to complex problems – a necessary thread that increases our grassroots and grasstops results for clients. 2.
- Leadership is a Lifelong Journey –– Leadership is an evolving journey, and continuous learning and self-improvement are essential to remain effective and relevant in today’s professional setting. 3.
- The Impact of Local Action –– Even small, localized actions can have the biggest and most significant impact – a core tenet of our localized grassroots strategy.
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