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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Kuvare - Salesforce Product Owner

 

Angie is an experienced Agile and product professional who partners with stakeholders to achieve business goals and advance strategic outcomes. She is known for facilitating teams, bridging differences, and bringing people together to create productive, business-focused results.

She began her career in 2009 and has served in a variety of roles including product management, Senior Product Owner, Senior Business Analyst, Agile Coach/Scrum Master, Data Analyst, and UX/UI Designer/Administrator. Angie holds CSM, CSPO, and SAFe certifications and is passionate about mentorship, Agile adoption, and helping others grow in their careers. She currently serves on the IIBA Board of Directors, contributes to international professional efforts, and is active in Rotary as Member Relations Co-Chair.

Information Security Professional

 

Scott Jennings is a cybersecurity professional with a background that uniquely bridges law enforcement and information security. After five years as a Police Sergeant — including advanced training through the FBI LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute — he transitioned into the tech sector, bringing an investigator's mindset to digital threats. He currently serves as an Information Security Engineer at Mary Greeley Medical Center and as an Adjunct Cybersecurity Instructor at Des Moines Area Community College, applying hands-on experience in incident response, identity and access management, and security operations to protect organizations and develop the next generation of security professionals.

The Optimistic BA - CEO/Owner

 

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.

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.

Sr Data Analytics Strategist at Pella Corporation

 

Curt Winegar is the Sr. Data Analytics Strategist at Pella Corporation and leader of Pella’s Data & AI Literacy program. He helped drive Pella’s Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout to 95%+ monthly adoption, proving how a people‑first approach to AI can transform productivity and everyday problem‑solving. Curt’s passion is making AI practical, accessible, and human-centered — equipping people not just to use new tools, but to think differently about how work gets done.