Executive Delivery Team

Matthew Mitchell is an associate professor of international business and strategy at Drake University. Mitchell has travelled, lived, and worked in more than 75 countries, and he has advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations around the world in the areas of executive leadership development, board management, facilitation and education, risk management and analysis, international management, and cross-cultural communication.  Professor Mitchell’s research investigates the relationship between firm strategy, politics, and religion in global markets. He has written and published extensively on these topics.  He is a recipient of Drake University's Madelyn M. Levitt Teacher of the Year Award and is Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce.  Mitchell has served as executive editor of the journal International Business: Research, Teaching, and Practice and is a Fellow of the largest national chapter of the Academy of International Business. He earned degrees in physics, math and an MBA from Rollins College, and his PhD in International Business from the University of South Carolina—the world’s leading program in international business.

Jeffrey Kappen is an assistant rofessor of international business and management at Drake University. Grounded primarily in institutional approaches, Kappen’s research examines how socio-cultural differences are negotiated and legitimated in organizations.  Kappen is the director of Drake’s Principal Center for Global Citizenship and the Nelson Institute of International Affairs and he teaches primarily on organizational management, global business, and sustainable developments. Kappen has worked and consulted extensively in international sales, marketing and logistics with Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and non-profit organization. He speaks six languages and has lived and worked in over 40 countries, with broad experience in Brazil, France, and Venezuela. He also currently chairs the largest national chapter of the Academy of International Business, is serving as a special issue editor for The International Journal of Emerging Markets, and sits on the editorial board of International Business: Research, Teaching, and Practice. Jeff earned degrees with honors in International Relations, French, and Russian from Beloit College, an MBA in International Marketing from the University of Wisconsin, and a PhD in Management from the University of Massachusetts.

Starting her first business at 13, Charise Flynn—owner of C.Results, LLC—has more than 20 years experience cultivating companies from the ground up through razor-sharp thinking, design of business models and the development of executives. Serving most recently as chief operating officer of Dwolla, Flynn established and lead teams in the areas of legal, compliance, risk, customer support, human resources, and finance. Raising more than $32 million in tier-one venture capital and overseeing the Des Moines-based company's expansion to San Francisco, Flynn was instrumental in guiding Dwolla's growth. Named to the Des Moines Business Record’s “40 Under 40,” awarded the Simpson College Alumni Achievement Award, and bestowed the Technology Association of Iowa's Small Business Innovation and Leadership Award, Charise graduated Magna Cum Laude from Simpson College with degrees in Philosophy and Religion.

Kathy Bauer is a seasoned executive with more than 40 years of experience in the life insurance and annuity industry. As the SVP of Human Resources for Aviva USA, Bauer’s key areas of focus included HR infrastructure encompassing talent recruitment and leadership programming, mergers, acquisitions and integrations, and serving as a confidant and counsel to executives. When Aviva USA was acquired, a start-up organization—Global Atlantic Financial Group—purchased the life business and Bauer was asked to lead and develop the HR team.  Over a period of two years, she successfully built the HR infrastructure including benefit programs, the annual performance and 360 review processes, and partnered with the CEO to incorporate executive coaching in the development of key talent. She retired from Global Atlantic in May of 2016 as managing director and chief human resources officer.

Denny is an experienced Executive Coach and Leadership Development Consultant.  His clients include executives from the industries of insurance, banking, financial services, manufacturing and construction.   Prior to owning his executive coaching and consulting business, he worked for Principal Financial Group for 28 years.  While at Principal, Denny held leadership roles in the business which focused on marketing, communications, product management and operations.  Denny also worked within Principal’s HR division where he focused on developing top talent in the organization, leading development strategies and solutions, and designing and executing development programs.   Denny led the initiative to create a coaching culture throughout the enterprise at Principal, and coached executives at all levels.  His coaching work has put him in front of multiple middle to executive level leader groups in Principal’s home office as well as in Mexico, India and Hong Kong.  Denny holds a master’s degree from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.

Holly M. Dierks is retired after a 37-year career with John Deere where she most recently served as Vice President, Human Resources for John Deere Financial (JDF).   As a member of the senior leadership team at JDF’s worldwide headquarters located in Johnston, Iowa, Holly was responsible for HR globally across its 18 countries’ operations.  Key areas of her responsibilities included leadership development, succession planning, coaching and key talent identification and development.  In retirement, Holly is active in the Des Moines community, serving on the Board of Directors for Living History Farms and Drake University Bulldog Club, is a member of the Income Cabinet for United Way and is a volunteer for PREP workshops for the Evelyn K. Davis Center and Dress for Success which help unemployed and underemployed women build resume and interview skills.  Holly also is happy to be able to provide weekly care for her two grandsons (age 2 and 6 months) and her father who recently celebrated his 100th birthday and is fondly known as “Mr. Drake”.  Holly earned a degree in Psychology from Drake University, and has been active in Drake alumni leadership roles for many years.

Julie McCarty built her career leading organizational change, coaching executives, and spearheading employee relations for several large financial services organizations.  Julie recently retired as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Global Atlantic Financial Company.  While at companies like Wells Fargo, Aviva and Global Atlantic, Julie led the Human Resources Business Partner team, created organization change and reorganization development, and coached executives and leaders in all function areas. While at Wells Fargo, Julie led the HR team dedicated to mergers and acquisitions, and also managed the Diversity and Affirmative Action function.  Julie leads with strength, integrity and compassion.  She is known for her ability to think strategically for the business, with people strategy in the center of her decision making to create empowered working environments.   She earned degrees from the University of Iowa.  Julie is a huge Hawkeye fan and has season football tickets. 

Sarah Ramsey, director of the Drake University Executive Education Center, is a positive, passionate and determined leader with more than 20 years experience rallying the troops and building consensus and commitment so that individuals, teams, and organizations can achieve a common goal. She is known for her ability to interact with a wide-range of individuals, develop meaningful relationships, and leverage resources to create solutions. Sarah's role at the Executive Education Center is rooted in her beliefs that strong leaders build strong organizations and strong organizations build strong communities, and that transformational learning experiences are pivotal to the journey.  She holds a masters of Public Policy from UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research, and a BA in Sociology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.