Speakers - 2023

  • Melissa Hortman - KEYNOTE

    Melissa Hortman is the DFL Speaker of the House in the Minnesota House of Representatives and has represented a part of the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis since 2005. As a legislator, she has focused on energy, transportation, the environment, and civil law. Representative Hortman chaired the House Energy Committee from 2013-14 and chief-authored legislation that created Minnesota’s solar energy standard. She holds a B.A. from Boston University, an M.P.A. from Harvard University, and a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.

    To learn more about Melissa please click the link below!

    Melissa Hortman

  • Pam Jochum

    Pam Jochum is the Iowa State Senator from the 36th District. Pam is the Senate Minority Leader. To read more about Pam click the link below.

    Pam Jochum

  • Jennifer Konfrst

    Jennifer represents the 32nd District in the Iowa House of Representatives. She also holds the position of House Minority leader. To learn more about Jennifer click below!

    Jennifer Konfrst

  • Larry McBurney

    Larry serves on the Urbandale City Council. Larry is a decorated veteran and an Assistant VP at Wells Fargo. To learn more about Larry click the link below!

    Larry McBurney

  • Lindsay James

    Lindsay James is the State Representative for the Iowa House District 71, and the Minority Whip. To find out more about Lindsay click the link below.

    Lindsay James

  • Molly Buck

    Molly represents Ankeny’s House District 41, where she fights for our schools, families and communities. To learn more about Molly click the link below!

    Molly Buck

  • Reverend Mary Madison

    Reverend Mary is an Ordained Minister, School Counselor, Educator, and Community Volunteer. She represents Iowa House District 31. To read more about Reverend Mary click the link below!

    Reverend Mary Madison

  • Ryan Melton

    Ryan is running to represent Iowa’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. To learn more about Ryan’s campaign please click the link below!

    Ryan Melton

  • Sami Scheetz

    Sami is representing District 78 in the Iowa House of Representatives. To read more about Sami and his work in the 78th District click below!

    Sami Sheetz

  • Sharon Steckman

    Sharon is representing the 59th District in the Iowa House of Representatives. To read more about Sharon please click the link below!

    Sharon Steckman

  • Janice Weiner

    Senator Weiner was elected to her first term in the Iowa Senate in 2022. She represents Senate District 45, which includes most of Iowa City. To read more about Janice click the link below!

    Janice Weiner

  • Rita Hart

    Rita served as an Iowa State Senator for the 49th district from 2013 to 2019. In 2023, Rita was elected to be the new chair of the Iowa Democratic Party.