Visionary Leaders Legacy Forum - August 2025
Featured Leader: Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa
The Visionary Leaders Legacy Forum is a powerful speaker series spotlighting executives who are nearing or have recently entered retirement after decades of impactful leadership. Each month, we gather to hear from a different visionary as they share their personal leadership journey, lessons learned, defining moments, and the legacy they hope to leave behind.
This "last lecture"-style experience offers a rare opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of leadership and gain wisdom from some of our region’s most respected voices. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, you’ll walk away inspired and better equipped to shape your own legacy.
Come learn from the legends who helped shape our business community—and discover how their stories can guide your own leadership path.
Michelle is an Iowa girl. After graduating from Jefferson High School, she went on to attain a business degree with an emphasis in accounting from Iowa State University. Michelle started her career with Ernst & Young in Des Moines, earning Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Audit credentials.
Michelle Book served as Food Bank of Iowa CEO from 2016 to 2024. Prior to joining Food Bank of Iowa, Michelle worked at MidAmerican Energy and held global business roles with DuPont Pioneer and John Deere Finance. Previously, she was controller at Triplett Office Essentials and Cass County Memorial Hospital.
After leaving Food Bank of Iowa at the end of 2024, Michelle formed Book Smart Solutions and hopes to lend her skills and experience to helping businesses and non-profits remove roadblocks to success.
Michelle and her golden doodle Charlie live primarily in Des Moines, with a second home in Grand Marais Minnesota. She enjoys spending time outdoors, creating in the kitchen and learning by reading. Michelle believes that we rise by lifting others and that no act of kindness is ever wasted.
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