The Green Room
Leading the Next Generation: How Gen Z Thinks, Works, and Connects
Free Virtual Event | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | Noon - 1 p.m. CT
The presence of Gen Z (born 1996-2012) in the workplace is growing, already making up 18% of the U.S. labor force. Millennials remain the largest cohort at 36%, with Gen X close behind at 31%.
Join April Schmaltz from Delta Dental of Iowa and her guest, Dr. Nikki Harken, author and University of Northern Iowa professor, for the next Delta Dental of Iowa Green Room. Together, they will discuss how to:
- Understand Gen Z values and how organizations can respond
- Engage all generations of your organization for better collaboration and communication
- Strengthen culture by prioritizing overall health and wellbeing
- Future-proof your organization by developing high-performing employees from Day 1
One (1) continuing education credit for Iowa Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) will be available.
Register Today!
Past Green Room conversations
Oct. 15, 2025 | Civility in the Workplace: Leading Through Change
In today’s fast-paced and evolving workplace, civility is more than just politeness—it’s a foundational value that shapes how we collaborate, communicate, and lead. Our panelists discuss the role of civility in the workplace and how leaders can create strategies to build relationships, find common language, and foster a culture of trust
- J. Scott Raecker, Executive Director, Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University
- Tiffany O'Donnell, CEO, Women Lead Change, and Mayor of Cedar Rapids
- April Schmaltz, President and CEO, Delta Dental of Iowa
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Additional Resources:
June 26, 2025 | Leading with Purpose: Engaging Employees and Earning Customer Loyalty
Research shows that a clearly defined purpose in business can be a powerful differentiator, when it’s fully lived out. A panel of business leaders shared how their companies align their purpose to motivate employees and drive meaningful customer engagement.
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Feb. 20, 2025 | "Meet with Success: Evidence-Based Ways to Create Effective, Engaging, and Inclusive Meetings"
American employees attend approximately 55 million meetings a day. While some professionals think of meetings as draining, well-conducted meetings can be places of personal and team gain.
Delta Dental hosted our first in-person Green Room event with Steven Rogelberg, a nationally sought-after meeting expert. We want to thank everyone who participated and engaged in the presentation. He provided insightful information on how to make meetings more productive and engaging. For more tips on making meetings more effective visit Rogelberg's website.
October 30, 2024 | "Leading Authentically: The Role of Vulnerability"
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August 28, 2024 | "Uncover the Opportunities of AI"
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April 24, 2024 | "Play, Purpose & Potential: How Culture Strengthens Teams and Boosts Business"
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November 8, 2023 | "Help Wanted: Trends and Strategies for Iowa's Workforce"
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April 25, 2023 | "Caregiving: It's More Than a Full-Time Job for Your Employees"
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February 1, 2023 | "Building an Emotionally Healthy Workplace: What Employers Can Do Now"
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Additional Resources:
October 24, 2022 | "Agree to Disagree: Supporting Civility in the Workplace"
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July 12, 2022 | "Thinking Forward"
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March 30, 2022 | "Intentional Leadership"
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December 1, 2021 | "The New World of Work"
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July 20, 2021 | "Creating a Culture of Wellness"
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March 2, 2021 | "Navigating the Changing Course"
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November 11, 2020 | "Winning the Inner Victory"
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- Make It OK
- Employee & Family Resources
- The U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being
- World Health Organization’s Guidelines on Mental Health at Work
- Leslie Irlbeck, Metro Waste Authority
- Alyssa Saunders, Anthologic
- April Schmaltz, Delta Dental of Iowa
- Steven Rogelberg, Ph.D., organizational psychologist, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- Tiffany O'Donnell, Cedar Rapids Mayor and Women Lead Change
- Courtney Misener, Emotional Health Advocate
- April Schmaltz, Delta Dental of Iowa
- Chris Snider, Drake University and Innovation Profs
- Jo Ellen Whitney, Dentons Davis Brown
- April Schmaltz, Delta Dental of Iowa
- Melissa Ness, Connectify HR
- Marc Reifenrath, Spinutech
- April Schmaltz, Delta Dental of Iowa
- Dr. Ron Cox, Midwest Workforce Strategies
- April Schmaltz, Delta Dental of Iowa
- Marsha Aldridge, Vice President of Human Resources and Shared Services, IMT Insurance
- Tiffany O'Donnell, CEO, Women Lead Change
- Candice Smith, Founder and Director, Caregiven
- Jami Haberl, Executive Director, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative
- Tammy Hoyman, CEO, Employee & Family Resources
- Scott Raecker, Executive Director, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University
- Jason Gross, Vice President of ManchestorStory
- Dr. Beth Livingston, Assistance Professor in Management & Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business
- Tiffany O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer of Women Lead Change
- Nicole Crain, Executive Vice President, Iowa Association of Business and Industry
- David Leto, President, Palmer Group
- Brent Vander Waal, CEO, ITA Group
- Teresa Hovell, Benefits Manager
- Rowena Crosbie, President and Founder of Tero International, Inc.
- Tanner Krause, Chief Executive Officer of Kum & Go
- Jeff Pomeranz, City Manager of Cedar Rapids
- Bryan Arzani, Vice President & Co-founder of Results Group, LLC