*** 2025 NAWBO IOWA CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE: DECADES OF IMPACT! ***
On Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, NAWBO Iowa hosted an exceptional event celebrating Iowa's women business owners. Three awards were presented during this annual event to women business owners and advocates. In addition, activities highlighted the 50th anniversary of the founding of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), NAWBO Iowa’s parent organization in Washington D.C.
And to top it off, we launched our local celebration of the 40th anniversary of NAWBO Iowa happening in 2026.
Three prominent Iowa women were honored at the 2025 NAWBO Iowa Celebration of Excellence on Tuesday, December 2, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa.
NAWBO Iowa presented their annual business awards to three highly respected Iowa women business owners in recognition of their outstanding contribution to local business and community. Entering its 40th year in 2026, NAWBO Iowa propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social & political spheres of influence statewide. This event celebrates women business ownership and their impact on the Iowa economy.
The following were the 2025 honorees: Barb Kniff McCulla, founder of KLK Construction, as the 2025 NAWBO Iowa Legacy Award honoree; Riana LeJeune owner of Repinned and Renewabl, as the 2025 NAWBO Iowa Business Owner of the Year; and Karla Rendall, Senior VP – Commercial Banking Market Leader, as the 2025 NAWBO Iowa Advocate of the Year. Each honoree will speak briefly about their life and business experience at the celebration.
|
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU |
Highlights from past years
2024 CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS
The 2024 Celebration of Excellence photo gallery can be viewed here:
https://nawboiowa.org/gallery.php?id=15
2023 CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS
The 2023 Celebration of Excellence photo gallery can be viewed here:
https://nawboiowa.org/gallery.php?id=14
2022 CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS
The 2022 Celebration of Excellence photo gallery can be viewed here:
https://nawboiowa.org/gallery.php?id=9
Many thanks to Ginnie Coleman, Ginnie Coleman Photography
2020 celebration highlights
Hall of Fame Legacy Honoree
Teresa VanVleet-Danos
President / Owner, VanVleet Inc.
Business Owner of the Year
Cassie Sampson
East Village Spa
Advocate of the Year
Mary Anne Kennedy
Primary Source, Inc.
Thank you Bing Bang LLC for these amazing videos!
Thank you Aspire Event Management and CLE Productions for the fantastic production of this event!
Thank you Amy Park of Gold Spark Design for all the beautiful event graphics!
2019 CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS
The 2019 Celebration of Excellence photo gallery can be viewed here:
https://nawboiowa.org/gallery.php?id=7
Many thanks to Whitney Warne of Ivory House Photography
2018 CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS
The 2018 Celebration of Excellence photo gallery can be viewed here:
https://nawboiowa.org/gallery.php?id=6
Many thanks to Whitney Warne of Ivory House Photography
2017 Celebration Highlights
View the 2017 Celebration of Excellence Photo Gallery >>
Thank you to Ivory House Photography for our gallery of beautiful photos!
Watch Highlight Video of NAWBO Iowa's 2017 Celebration of Excellence >>
Thank you to Bing Bang LLC for this amazing video summary!
