Des Moines, Iowa – Drake University’s Zimpleman College of Business will host the 2026 Business for Quality Summit on February 27, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and students to explore the intersection of profitability and positive social and environmental impact. The event, scheduled from 8 a.m. To 1:30 p.m. At the Drake Olmsted Center, aims to foster discussion around integrating purpose into business models and ethical leadership. Registration for the free summit is now open and required for attendance, and can be completed through Eventbrite.
The 2026 Business for Good Summit will delve into a range of topics, including sustainability, carbon-neutral affordable housing, and the role of mission-driven financial cooperatives. Organizers say the summit is designed to provide insights into how businesses can be a force for good while maintaining financial success. The event’s agenda features a diverse lineup of speakers and breakout sessions intended to offer practical strategies and inspire innovative approaches to business.
Summit Agenda: A Day of Insights and Discussion
The summit will kick off at 8:00 a.m. With check-in at the Drake Olmsted Center’s Upper Gallery. A welcome and opening session at 8:30 a.m. Will feature Mariah Mateo Sarpong, co-founder and Head of Product at SendVia, and Nana Coleman, an instructor at the Zimpleman College of Business. Following a brief break, attendees can choose between two breakout sessions at 9:30 a.m.: one led by Scott and Molly Cutler of Cutler Development, and another featuring a panel of Business Clinic entrepreneurs.
The morning will continue with another break at 10:30 a.m., followed by a second set of breakout sessions at 10:45 a.m. Track A will feature Julie Willse, COO of Greater Iowa Credit Union; Jaimie Miller, Vice President of the Iowa Credit Union League; and Jelena Babic Barnes, Executive Director of the Iowa Credit Union Foundation. Track B will host a panel as part of the J.W. Paquette Young Alumni Lecture Series. A final break is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Before a noon lunch and keynote address delivered by Kelly Dittmann, Founder, President, & CEO of Envira Global, Ltd. The summit will conclude at 1:30 p.m.
A Focus on Business as a Force for Good
The Zimpleman College of Business emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in modern business practices. The summit reflects this commitment by bringing together experts and practitioners who are actively working to create positive change through their businesses. Discussions will likely center on how companies can balance profit motives with social responsibility, and how to measure and report on their impact.
The event also highlights the growing interest in sustainable business models and the role of financial institutions in supporting socially responsible initiatives. The inclusion of representatives from Greater Iowa Credit Union, the Iowa Credit Union League, and the Iowa Credit Union Foundation underscores the importance of financial cooperatives in promoting economic development and community well-being.
Sponsorship and Community Support
The Zimpleman College of Business has expressed gratitude to Al Rosenbloom for his generous sponsorship of the 2026 Business for Good Summit, as noted in materials promoting the event. This support allows the college to offer the summit free of charge, making it accessible to a wider audience of students, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The sponsorship demonstrates a shared commitment to fostering a business environment that prioritizes both financial success and social impact.
Drake University’s commitment to social responsibility extends beyond the Business for Good Summit. The university actively promotes community engagement and sustainability initiatives across its various academic programs and departments. The Zimpleman College of Business plays a key role in preparing students to be ethical and responsible leaders in the business world.
Those interested in attending the 2026 Zimpleman Business for Good Summit are encouraged to register promptly through Eventbrite to secure their place at this important event. Further details about the summit, including speaker biographies and session descriptions, will be released by the Zimpleman College of Business in the coming weeks. The next update from Drake University regarding the summit is expected in early February, with a finalized agenda and logistical details.
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