Danielle Brommer
President, Board Chair
Danielle Brommer is the Chief Growth Officer and a partner at Lean TEChniques. Danielle is a University of Iowa business graduate and has spent over a decade of her career in the tech industry. She has focused her work over the past 7 years helping Lean TECHniques expand their footprint within the State of Iowa and beyond with a team of just over 140 professional software and management consultants that enable organizations to move into and thrive in the digital world. She enjoys supporting the community and has given her time as a board member for Tech Journey and Urbandale Economic Development Advisory and most recently, kmodo a fintech startup.
Maggie Modica
Vice President
Maggie Modica is a technology professional specializing in aligning business priorities with technical requirements. Maggie received her degree from the University of Illinois in IT and Marketing, supplemented by a minor in the Hoeft Technology & Management Program. This blend of engineering and business education taught her the value of translating complex technology concepts across various business needs. She furthered her education by earning an MBA from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business.
Having transplanted to Iowa years ago, Maggie has made community engagement a cornerstone of her life in Des Moines. She actively contributes through volunteer coaching with Girls on the Run and participates in various initiatives via the Technology Association of Iowa. She is particularly enthusiastic about deepening her involvement with Tech Journey, aiming to inspire and excite students about the vibrant future of technology in Iowa.
Mackenzie Ostrem
Director
Mackenzie is the VP of Client Services at Shift Interactive. As a veteran of the tech industry she has a strong passion for creating a diverse technology workforce and increasing youth awareness around what opportunities could be possible. As a woman in technology it‘s important to her to get more girls involved and ensure that the tech industry isn’t seen as intimidating or unreachable to any student. Mackenzie has been enamored with Tech Journey’s mission of increasing youth interest in technology, especially the way they’ve been able to open doors for students who might otherwise not have access to these tools or learnings. In her free time she enjoys a dance party with her kids, traveling, and reading.
Jessa Sparks
Director
Jessa Sparks is an Assistant Director of Engineering at Principal where she is also a co-chair of the Women in Technology employee resource group. She has bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Accounting from the University of Northern Iowa, where she also ran cross country and track. Jessa has been involved with Tech Journey since it was founded back in 2013 and is on her second tour with the Tech Journey Board of Directors. She has always found mentoring students and facilitating sessions at Tech Camp a rewarding experience. In addition to Tech Journey, Jessa also volunteers time as a FIRST LEGO League coach. In her spare time, Jessa enjoys running, build hobby web apps, and nature conservation.
Smita Volz
Director
Smita is an Analytics Manager at Wells Fargo. She has Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, and Business Administration from Graceland University; and a Masters of Business Administration from Drake University. With her Indian and Nepalese heritage, Smita is actively engaged in the Asian American community, sharing her passion for culturally rich diversity in Iowa. She is an ardent supporter of several non-profit organizations and is sharing her talents, ranging from choreographing Bollywood dances, organizing celebrAsian festival, coaching Robotics teams, and volunteering at schools.
Carter Winton
Director
Carter has over 15 years in the tech industry and has worked the past nine years for Source Allies Inc. in Teammate Services. Skilled in technology talent recruitment with a Bachelors of Arts from the University of California Santa Barbara, Carter has been a catalyst for the central Iowa tech scene, desiring to positively affect the next generation of tech enthusiasts and finding fulfillment that comes with seeing young people find inspiration in technology. When not networking and serving the local tech community, Carter can be found with his family, exercising, golfing, hiking, streaming the latest flick or reading a good book.
Greg Lagan
Director
Greg Lagan is the Vice President of Sales Delivery at Paragon IT where he is responsible for driving strategic growth across consulting and project initiatives across the country. Greg graduated from the University of Iowa and has been in the tech industry for over a decade. With a deep understanding of recruiting operations and workforce solutions, Greg has been been an active player in many modernization efforts. Outside of work, he is active in the Des Moines community contributing to non-profit organizations that directly advance and impact the lives of children across the state of Iowa.
Pallavi Dukle
Director
Pallavi holds the position of Director Information Security Architecture & Engineering at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Des Moines. Serving as a Tech Journey director allows her to share her values and passion of empowering youth to be curious about careers in STEM as well as supporting women in tech initiatives. Pallavi is grateful for the mentors she has had in her life providing a strong influence in her career journey and likewise hopes to influence the career journey of others. When not at work, Pallavi likes to travel, spend time with family and cook.
Wesley Ng
Director
Wesley Ng is a Product Manager at ITA Group. With experience spanning software development and product management, Wesley is passionate about creating opportunities that inspire students to explore technology and build confidence in their future careers. He brings a strong belief in community impact and hands-on learning in his involvement with Tech Journey. Outside of work, Wesley spends most of this time with his family, racing cars, snowboarding, and rock climbing.
Jamie Hansen
Director
Jamie has more than 20 years of experience creating customer-focused value through technology. She started her career as a COBOL developer intern and has held a variety of roles across application engineering, solution architecture, and technical leadership.
Jamie is currently the Digital Solutions & Services Director at Farm Bureau Financial Services, responsible for agent experience and customer experience applications, which includes FBFS.com websites and mobile applications, Customer Relationship Management, Producer Incentive Compensation, and other vendor solutions in support of Sales & Distribution, Marketing, and Agency Services.
Jamie has served on committees for Women in Technology and participated in panels on Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. She values diversity in skills, ideas, and opinions, and believes our different points of view create opportunities for the best outcomes. Jamie is inspired to encourage our future technology talent to be curious, build their confidence, and find their passion.
Jamie has a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Management Information Systems. She lives in Des Moines with her two daughters and enjoys concerts and musicals.
Ashley Geneser
Treasurer
Ashley Geneser serves as Treasurer for Tech Journey. Professionally, I have worked in the Accounting Department at Lean Techniques for the past three years, where I have continued to grow my knowledge and experience within the tech industry.
I am passionate about combining financial stewardship with community impact, and I value contributing to initiatives that help young people gain greater access to technology, education, and future career opportunities.
Jacob Repp
Director
Jacob is a Financial Representative at Principal Financial Group and enthusiast of all things Des Moines. Holding a bachelors degree from Drake University, Jacob desires to learn, empower those around him, and pour into the future. He states "Getting children involved in the technology space is great to bring awareness, empowerment, and creating opportunities for a better future for them personally and professionally. I want to be a part of that." You’ll find Jacob at all Iowa Wolves home games or at a local coffee shop meeting new people and having meaningful conversations to solve problems. #jacobfromlinkedin