Plenary Speaker

Shelby Zaricor - Sr. Consultant @ GLS

Topic: Positioning Iowa to stand out in US site readiness

Hear from Shelby Zaricor as she walks through what GLS sees in site readiness efforts across the US,  and how attendees can implement these strategies to better position themselves to site selectors and companies.

As a senior site selection consultant, Shelby advises companies on making informed location strategy decisions that drive growth and success. She takes the time to learn the client’s process, key drivers, preferences, and risks to address their location, logistics, workforce, and incentive needs and, ultimately, reach their goals.  Shelby is a Certified Economic Developer through IEDC and a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University.

Emily Blaylock

President & Owner - Untamed Equity

It was never Emily’s intent to become an Entrepreneur, but now she is the sole owner of a specialized lending platform to fuel economic development.  Emily grew up in Iowa and pursued her MBA in accounting at Indiana University.  After college she spent many successful years in accounting and then transitioned to the banking industry. In 2012 Emily moved back to Iowa and continued her banking career as a Business Banker for Wells Fargo and then became Market President for Great Southern Bank.  In 2016, she went to Northwest Bank & Trust Company to run the commercial lending department.  She served on the executive team and created the Economic Development Division to generate TIF loans in 2019 after graduating from the Wharton School of Banking.  The portfolio grew large enough that in July 2022, Untamed Equity was created to monetize TIF loans across the US.

Kathleen Sender

Kathleen Sender is an educator and administrator with a strong background in work-based learning and student development. Since June 2023, she has served as the Work-Based Learning Manager for the Waukee Community School District. In this role, she oversees programs that connect students with real-world career experiences, helping them transition successfully from classroom to career. Prior to her current position, Kathleen was an APEX (Aspiring Professional Experience) Instructor from 2018 to 2023, where she facilitated experiential learning opportunities for high school students. Her earlier roles include teaching physical education and health education in Waukee, reflecting her long-standing commitment to student wellness and growth.

Whitney Overton, RN, BSN

Whitney Overton is a registered nurse with 30 years of experience across pediatrics, intensive care, pharmaceuticals, home care, hospice, and school nursing. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she now applies her extensive clinical background to education, having taught Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) coursework to high school students and currently leading the Waukee APEX Exploration of Health Sciences and Medicine program for juniors and seniors.

Whitney is passionate about workforce development and actively cultivates partnerships between schools and healthcare organizations to provide students with authentic, hands-on learning. Her work exemplifies how current Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs can drive economic development by aligning talent pipelines with industry needs—empowering students to transition confidently from high school into high-demand healthcare careers.

Anne Boesen

Anne Boesen is a work-based learning instructor with over seven years leading Waukee’s APEX and School-to-Work programs, and 13 years total in the Waukee Community School District. A former science teacher and second-career educator, she brings 15 years of industry experience to her role connecting students with professional experiences. Anne holds a Master Teacher certification and excels at connecting students with real-world experiences. She is dedicated to mentoring students and shaping the future workforce, Anne actively builds and maintains strong relationships with business partners across the metro to create meaningful, student-centered internships. She believes in the power of authentic learning and is committed to helping students develop the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed to succeed beyond high school. Her efforts contribute to Waukee’s economic development by aligning education with workforce needs and fostering talent pipelines in key industries.