18th Annual National IES

Tauseef Ahmed is Founder & CEO of Grayhawk Consulting Group, where he helps small and mid-market organizations turn Data & AI into measurable results. Previously, he led John Deere’s manufacturing data and analytics platform, supporting more than 60 factories, 5,000 users, and 2+ petabytes of data. He specializes in Data & AI. A longtime Quad Cities resident, Tauseef works with immigrant-owned businesses & community partners enabling them to achieve business goals leveraging Data & AI.

Rory Bidinger is VP and Community Development Officer for Stearns Bank, focused on bringing the bank’s vision of economic empowerment to life through business and economic development, community investment, financial mastery, and innovative partnerships. Rory has over 24 years of marketing and community-building experience and is passionate about dismantling barriers to build strong collaboration through all sectors for inclusive growth.

Emily C. Brown, Esq., Founder & Principal Attorney of Elevate Justice U.S. Immigration Law, brings extensive experience in business and family immigration law, including federal litigation. She guides companies, individuals, and nonprofits through complex immigration processes with strategic, results-driven counsel. Her professional experience spans federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as private practice.

Rafael Colon Cruz is a Senior Vice President and Business Banking Consultant at JPMorgan Chase, where he plays a pivotal role in empowering entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and strengthen their communities. With a deep commitment to supporting business owners, Rafael provides personalized 1:1 consulting and executive coaching, helping clients navigate the complexities of business growth with confidence.

Audra Fisher is the Manager of Customer Relations, America’s SBDC Iowa. Among other things, she participates in community outreach to support small business resources and facilitates the Iowa State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

Xavier Francis is the founder of Francis Law. His journey in immigration law started at 17 when he migrated from Jamaica to the U.S. Xavier’s career specialized in employment-based immigration, advising a wide array of clients including Fortune 500 companies, professional workers, startups, foreign investors, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations on U.S. immigration law and regulatory compliance. Xavier’s approach is rooted in his understanding that immigration is transformative—a belief that shapes the firm’s ethos to focus on quality service that significantly influences and shapes clients’ futures.

Sue Hudson is a dedicated entrepreneur, real estate broker, cultural ambassador, and community advocate with over 15 years of experience in business leadership. Originally from the Isaan region of Thailand, she holds an MBA in International Business from Siam University. After moving to the United States, she made Iowa home and founded Hudson Property LLC, where she helps clients navigate residential, commercial, and farmland real estate. Her approach is grounded in integrity, experience, and a deep understanding of the Iowa market.

Paul Koeniguer is a business owner, entrepreneur, and partner in FocusFirst, Inc. A recognized leader across all aspects of sales, sales management, motivation, training, and incentives, Paul has developed national sales champions in diverse industries. His exceptional expertise helping businesses and individuals achieve business and sales goals. A SCORE volunteer since 2009, Paul is passionate about helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions for their business.

Nerma Mlivic is a Small Business Banking Specialist with U.S. Bank who brings over 13 years of banking experience. She has helped small business clients to achieve next step to elevate their business by offering her expertise in her field of business, and offering personalized strategies for your business. Nerma serves as board member at The Iowa Center Economic Center to empower entrepreneurs to lunch and to grow their business

Bopha Mom-Baccam, a wife, mom of four, realtor, gardener, and storyteller. As the youngest of eight in a Asian-American family, her life has been a beautiful blend of culture, family, and responsibility. For years, she poured myself into caring for her family, but somewhere along the way, she lost sight of who she was. Now, she’s on a journey of rediscovering herself—finding her passions, nurturing her growth, and learning to thrive.

Víctor Oyervides es consejero de desarrollo de empresas minoritarias en el SBDC de Estados Unidos en Iowa. Actualmente, en su función de Consejero de Desarrollo de Empresas Minoritarias, brinda oportunidades y programas educativos, consultas y asistencia técnica para propietarios de pequeñas empresas propiedad de minorías, empresarios y comunidades que buscan construir economías minoristas locales más sólidas. Su pasión ha sido y sigue siendo equipar, empoderar y orientar a pequeñas y medianas empresas.

Yaneth Rodriguez procedente de Venezuela, con estudios profesionales y graduada en el 2002 en Contaduría y Administración Tributaria en la Universidad de Zulia – Venezuela. Amplia experiencia en el campo contable, trabajando para el Banco Central de Venezuela en el Departamento de Análisis Variables Macro Económicas.  Actualmente, Ejerce su cargo de preparador de impuestos en Community CPA  desde el 2021. Yaneth, es voluntaria en múltiples asociaciones promoviendo siempre el apoyo a nuestra comunidad y nuevos inmigrantes.

Ying Sa is the founder, CEO & Managing Partner, and Certified Public Accountant of Community CPA. Born in Beijing, China she immigrated to Canada before relocating to the US. Ying served six years as the Chief Financial Officer for the Iowa Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Iowa State University and five years as Vice President of Controllers for Wells Fargo Financial, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa. She started Community CPA in 1998. Among her many distinctions and contributions, Ying served as a member on Taxpayer Advocacy Panel from 2019 to 2021. In 2019, she published Appointment with Ying @8am on starting a business, and in 2023 published her second book Appointment with Ying @10am on growing a business

Attorney Ismail T. Shahtakhtinski is an immigrant and the founder and principal attorney at I.S. Law Firm, PLLC. Mr. Shahtakhtinski has a compelling personal story of growing from a solo entrepreneur to an immigration, business, and personal injury law firm with multiple employees that today has a strategy to expand nationally. Over 19 years or practicing law in the United States, Mr. Shahtakhtinski has developed experience in a broad range of civil matters.

Todd serves as a Virtual Chief Financial Officer (vCFO), providing strategic financial management and guidance to businesses remotely to help ensure well-informed board decisions and enhance overall business performance and sustainability. He has more than 25 years of experience leading finance and accounting departments. Prior to joining Creative Planning, Todd served as the Chief Financial Officer for high-growth businesses within the construction and manufacturing industries, where he was involved in financial planning and analysis, cost management, profitability and financial risk mitigation.

La Toija Snodgrass is an accomplished leader, entrepreneur, and educator who blends purpose with strategy to every room she enters. Former CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America, an entrepreneur, and a college instructor, she co-founded Faux Bones, a vegan innovation that’s going global. La Toija shares powerful marketing insights that drive visibility, connection, and momentum for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.

Biel Wiel is the son of refugees and dreamers. He says, “I am an entrepreneur. A former D1 athlete. A military servicemember. And most of all, a student of life. I learned about challenge and loss early in life, and saw the struggles of both human life and our society. There is a path forward to realizing our potential individually and collectively. And it begins with leadership. With intention. With purpose. With you.”