How EOS Is The Game-Changer for Organizational Success

Teams that are clear and aligned on Vision (where they are going and their plan to get there), get Traction by executing on that Vision with discipline and accountability, and work together as a cohesive, highly functional and fun-loving team are on their way to enormous success.

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a “people operating system” that can give you a competitive advantage, creating a route to accomplish great things faster and with less stress.

This session will include a powerful panel of people, from organizations of various sizes, who are experiencing that reality and will share how implementing a people-operating system can have massive impact.

Jody also did a breakout last year at EntreFEST, and we heard how impactful this content was from leaders of various sized organizations . . . so let’s go!

This will be a game-changer.

About Laurie

Laurie DePhillips serves as the Vice President of Red Dot Branding + Marketing, a full-service integrated marketing and branding agency in West Des Moines. With over 18 years of experience in strategic marketing, Laurie leads a team of creative professionals who partner with clients to solve business issues, achieve goals, and grow their business.

Laurie brought EOS into Red Dot just over a year ago and has seen great value in applying the tools and disciplines of EOS to drive clarity and alignment.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Laurie is deeply committed to public service. She is currently serving as a City Council Member for Grimes, where she contributes to the community’s growth and development.

How EOS Is The Game-Changer for Organizational Success

Teams that are clear and aligned on Vision (where they are going and their plan to get there), get Traction by executing on that Vision with discipline and accountability, and work together as a cohesive, highly functional and fun-loving team are on their way to enormous success.

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a “people operating system” that can give you a competitive advantage, creating a route to accomplish great things faster and with less stress.

This session will include a powerful panel of people, from organizations of various sizes, who are experiencing that reality and will share how implementing a people-operating system can have massive impact.

Jody also did a breakout last year at EntreFEST, and we heard how impactful this content was from leaders of various sized organizations . . . so let’s go!

This will be a game-changer.

About Jill

In 2016, she joined the New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) as the Events Director to produce EntreFEST, an entrepreneurship and innovation conference. She became the COO of the organization in 2021 and Executive Director December of 2023. In the fall of 2023, NewBoCo started its journey learning about and implementing EOS as part of the organization. Jill enjoys the opportunity to lead this impactful statewide non-profit and work with big innovative thinkers throughout the state. She is grateful to be part of an organization that consists of so many dynamic, action-oriented, passionate people. Previously, she was the Event Planner for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance and Cedar Rapids Downtown District for 10 years.

Jill teaches musical theater at Dance Arts Iowa in Mount Vernon and is the choreographer for the Mount Vernon High School musical production. She currently serves on the board of Revival Theatre Company and previously served on the boards for The History Center and NewBo Market. She lives in Lisbon, Iowa with her husband Thad, son Hagen and furry baby Archie.

 

How EOS Is The Game-Changer for Organizational Success

Teams that are clear and aligned on Vision (where they are going and their plan to get there), get Traction by executing on that Vision with discipline and accountability, and work together as a cohesive, highly functional and fun-loving team are on their way to enormous success.

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a “people operating system” that can give you a competitive advantage, creating a route to accomplish great things faster and with less stress.

This session will include a powerful panel of people, from organizations of various sizes, who are experiencing that reality and will share how implementing a people-operating system can have massive impact.

Jody also did a breakout last year at EntreFEST, and we heard how impactful this content was from leaders of various sized organizations . . . so let’s go!

This will be a game-changer.

About Aaron

Aaron Horn is the Chief Information Officer at Benchmark, a roof and pavement consulting company headquartered in Cedar Rapids. Aaron’s team has paired EOS with Agile, which gives him a unique perspective on how to use both frameworks simultaneously. Prior to Benchmark, Aaron was the Executive Director at NewBoCo. Aaron earned his degrees in Management Information Systems and Entrepreneurial Studies at Iowa State University. He has also led the IT teams at the Iowa Interstate Railroad, healthcare startup Radiology Protocols, and global ag companies Becker Underwood and BASF in Ames. Aaron is on the Board of Directors for Miracle Travel Works in Des Moines and also serves as Board Chair for Candlelighters NYC in New York City, Co-founder and President of Beat Cancer Today in Cedar Rapids, Board Secretary for NewBoCo in Cedar Rapids, and District 9EC Childhood Cancer Chair for Lions Club International.

 

How EOS Is The Game-Changer for Organizational Success

Teams that are clear and aligned on Vision (where they are going and their plan to get there), get Traction by executing on that Vision with discipline and accountability, and work together as a cohesive, highly functional and fun-loving team are on their way to enormous success.

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a “people operating system” that can give you a competitive advantage, creating a route to accomplish great things faster and with less stress.

This session will include a powerful panel of people, from organizations of various sizes, who are experiencing that reality and will share how implementing a people-operating system can have massive impact.

Jody also did a breakout last year at EntreFEST, and we heard how impactful this content was from leaders of various sized organizations . . . so let’s go!

This will be a game-changer.

About Jody

Jody Skogen is a Certified EOS Implementer and is passionately driven to help others do what they love, with people they love, make a huge difference, be compensated appropriately and have time for other passions.

Born out of non-profit and marketplace experience, organizational health is an enormous passion for Jody, and her heart is to see individuals and teams grow in greater health and strength.

Having grown up in Eastern Iowa and residing in Marion, Jody serves organizational leadership teams as a coach, facilitator and teacher with a set of simple concepts and practical tools that help leaders get more of what they want out of their businesses.

The Smart Scale: Redefining Exit Strategies For Founders

Not every founder is building a unicorn—and that’s a good thing. This session explores practical exit strategies for entrepreneurs aiming for reasonable, life-changing outcomes in the $15-50M range. We’ll discuss how to scale smartly, attract the right buyers, and build a business that creates value beyond the traditional high-risk, high-reward model. Plus, we’ll dive into how raising capital impacts your exit options and what founders should consider before taking on investors.

About Peyton

Peyton Green serves as the Vice President of Investments and Partner at Traction Capital, where he oversees the entire investment process, including both the acquisition and venture pipelines. His role involves not only evaluating and assembling deals but supporting portfolio companies through EOS self-implementation, budgeting calls, strategy work, capital raise and more. Since joining Traction Capital as the first employee, Peyton has been instrumental in the firm’s success, leading the team from sourcing to due diligence on nearly all 14 of Traction Capital’s investments to date. Prior to joining Traction, Peyton grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and inherited that same passion for business. His formal education in Finance, Economics, and Data Analytics gave him the technical skills to complement his passion and propensity for creative problem solving.

 

The Smart Scale: Redefining Exit Strategies For Founders

Not every founder is building a unicorn—and that’s a good thing. This session explores practical exit strategies for entrepreneurs aiming for reasonable, life-changing outcomes in the $15-50M range. We’ll discuss how to scale smartly, attract the right buyers, and build a business that creates value beyond the traditional high-risk, high-reward model. Plus, we’ll dive into how raising capital impacts your exit options and what founders should consider before taking on investors.

About Ellie

An analyst at Traction Capital, Ellie is driven by a deep passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. With a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship, Ellie focuses on understanding what drives founders and what it takes to scale their businesses. In her role, she manages all top-of-the-funnel deal flow for Traction Capital and evaluates hundreds of companies each year. Ellie is also an active participant in the Twin Cities Startup Ecosystem, volunteering her time with local accelerators, the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, and more.

 

What I Learned When I Started My Consulting Firm/Agency

In this candid and insightful presentation, I’ll share my journey of building a successful marketing agency — the good, the bad, and everything in between. From navigating early missteps to discovering what truly drives growth, I’ll pull back the curtain on my experience as a solo consultant turned agency owner.

You’ll hear about: What strategies helped me scale successfully — and what fell flat Mistakes I made and lessons I learned the hard way; How I approached pricing to balance value with profitability; My best (and worst) decisions when it came to hiring and managing employees; What I’d do differently if I were starting over.

Whether you’re a freelancer looking to expand or a consultant ready to scale your business, this presentation will provide practical insights, real-world stories, and actionable advice to help you grow with confidence.

About Katie

I’m Katie Lipsett, owner and founder of Hello Digital Marketing, a full-service agency specializing in social media marketing and advertising. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015, I gained experience in various marketing roles — from leasing luxury apartments in Kansas City to serving as the sole marketing specialist at Collins Aerospace Rec Center.

Seeking broader experience, I joined Clickstop’s internal and external marketing agency, Leverage, as a Social Media Specialist. There, I discovered my passion for social media marketing and realized I craved entrepreneurship.

I began freelancing social media marketing services as a side hustle, promising myself I’d go full-time once my freelance income surpassed my agency salary. Within two months, I was able to make the leap. Demand quickly grew, and I hired my first contractor, now a full-time team member, marking the start of my agency journey.

Hello Digital officially launched in 2019. Today, we’re a team of six, continuously evolving while staying true to our mission and values. I’m driven by the opportunity to provide meaningful employment and deeply fulfilled by the relationships and growth we build with our clients.

Entrepreneurship has brought incredible opportunities — from purchasing (and later selling) the Cedar Rapids Moms Blog, where I learned firsthand how community drives the economy, to speaking engagements where I connect with groups ranging from high school students to niche industry professionals. Most rewarding of all are the inspiring business owners I’ve met along the way — people who push me to keep growing both personally and professionally.

Through every step of this journey, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about growth — it’s about building connections, embracing challenges, and creating opportunities that make a lasting impact.

Panel: Goldman Sachs 10,00 Small Businesses: Acceleration AFTER Incubation.

This panel features successful small business owners from across Iowa who will share their experiences in building and sustaining their businesses. Each panelist is an alumnus of the Iowa Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and will provide valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing both rural and urban small businesses. Topics will include strategies for sustainable growth, transitioning from day-to-day operations to strategic business development, the role of community support, and leveraging available resources in Iowa to drive success. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and firsthand perspectives to help navigate the evolving small business landscape.

About Jacki

Jacki serves as the Executive Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Iowa and has supported the program since it originated in Iowa. She also teaches as a co-instructor for the Central Iowa Venture School program and a business adjunct instructor for Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). Prior to this, she worked in a variety of roles at DMACC supporting workforce development and employee training. Jacki holds an MS in Business Analytics and undergraduate degrees in Business and Education.

 

Founder to Leader: Managing the Growing Pains

Congratulations! You’re taking the first step on your leadership journey to start a new venture. And while that takes courage, it turns out to be the easy part. What comes next only gets more challenging. Believe me, I’m on my fifth startup. The journey ahead is littered with problems you cannot fix, but you can manage – if you’re prepared. —- Go alone or partner with others? Do it quick or do it right? Keep innovating the next best thing or drive the current innovation deeper in the market? Grow the team or digital marketing? These are just a few of the questions keeping you up at night. This talk equips business leaders with a tested roadmap to scale ideas into thriving businesses — revealing the people to bring on your journey so you can navigate the inevitable pains of growing with confidence.

About Pete

Pete Behrens is the Founder and CEO of the Agile Leadership Journey, dedicated to inspiring leaders, empowering teams and driving change to improve business performance. Through education and coaching, they catalyze leaders to shift mindset and culture so change becomes an asset rather than a liability. — For over three decades, Pete has been guiding organizational development and fostering a network of trusted professionals that do the same. Pete shares his experiences as host of the Relearning Leadership™ podcast, exploring the evolving landscape of leadership and organizational development.

Panelist: Building a Support Network for Minority Entrepreneurs

Minority and under-served populations are incredibly entrepreneurial, yet they are often less likely than their white counterparts to seek support from traditional startup ecosystem resources. In this breakout session, attendees will hear from three dynamic leaders who have successfully collaborated with others to build vibrant, sustainable communities that support and elevate the entrepreneurial efforts of minority and under-served groups. The session will be facilitated by keynote speaker, Lyndsae’ Peele.

About Catherine

Catherine Tran is a leader with a passion for community development, currently serving as the Executive Director at the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs in their business journey. She holds a managerial role at Community CPA & Associates Inc., overseeing marketing and branch operations, and supporting small businesses and budding entrepreneurs in their business journey. She is committed to empowering minority communities and fostering business growth.