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.
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.
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
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.
Kelly Steinkamp
Director
Kelly has been in technology for 20+ years and is currently a Director of Application Engineering at Farm Bureau Financial Services. She has served as a volunteer mentor with Tech Journey since 2015 and has enjoyed watching the students grow as they troubleshoot errors and develop creative solutions. Kelly is passionate about sharing the many different career paths possible in tech. She has been the recipient of mentoring in her own career and, as an active coach to early-career professionals, believes in paying it forward. Kelly spends most of her spare time following her son’s activities and also enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
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.
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.