Iowa Ideas 2024
Keynote Speakers

Harper Steele is an Emmy-winning veteran comedy writer and producer, most known for her thirteen years with Saturday Night Live where she eventually became the head writer. After leaving Saturday Night Live, Steele took over as Creative Director of the comedy website Funny or Die, started by her friends Adam McKay and Will Ferrell. While at Funny or Die, Steele wrote the films, Casa De Mi Padre, Deadly Adoption, and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. 

Up next, Steele is the subject of the new Netflix documentary Will & Harper, which chronicles her evolving relationship with longtime collaborator and friend Will Ferrell.  The documentary centers around a road trip the two friends take across America for the first time since Harper’s transition, and nearly thirty years after they first met on the set of SNL. Will & Harper premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will debut September 27 on Netflix.

It was a battle to the end when Christina Moffatt appeared on The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars but not only was she battling it out on live television she was in her own personal battle behind the scenes.

Christina took all lessons learned in these battles and but it to use helping promote and grow entrepreneurs. In addition to owning her own small business, Crème Cupcake + Dessert, she served as the Regional Director for Mid Iowa SBDC, Director of Small Business Development for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, she has helped launch a new division of a bank, focusing on women and minority businesses. She currently is focusing on customer growth strategy in a Fortune 500 business in the financial industry with a special focus on the small to midsized businesses.

Christina, along with her awesome Crème team, owned her own small business for twelve years prior to selling in 2022. They had the opportunity to serve their product to many celebrities and politicians when visiting Iowa and continued to survive and thrive during Covid. Christina created a sense of belonging with her team where all ideas were welcomed, and profit was shared. The team all came from extremely different backgrounds but were truly a family that we named the Crème Crew.

Christina is a graduate of DMACC, Iowa State University and University of Toledo Certified Business Advisor Program. She also devotes her time and talents to many local boards. Christina has won several awards for her business including DSM Top List for Best Bakery, Cityview’s Best Dessert, Sweet Equality Best Dessert, Runner up for the Iowa Mixology Competition and runner up on The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. Christina has also been featured in Pastry & Baking North America in the Regional Showcase and Baker in Focus. Christina is also a Business Record’s Forty Under 40, 2012 Deb Dalziel Woman Entrepreneur Achievement Award Winner by the Iowa Small Business Development Center for the State of Iowa, 2013 Woman of the Year by the Metro Women’s Network, 2015 Women Business Owner of the Year by National Association of Women Business Owners Iowa Chapter, 2016 Finalist for Iowa Women Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership Award by Technology Association of Iowa, 2017

Outstanding Alumni of the Year by DMACC, 2018 Ivy Women in Business Inspiration Award by Iowa State University, 2018 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Distinguished Leaders Community Vision Inspiration Award, 2019 40 Women To Watch by the Iowa Restaurant Association and Winner of the Character Award for 2020 Inspiring Women of Iowa by the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa.

Christina’s true joy in life is her family. She is partner to Ryan Moffatt and they have a beautiful 10 year old son, Evan.

In 2021, Jen completed her dream of climbing the “7 Summits” and became the first woman from Iowa to climb the highest peak on every continent. Jen is also the only woman from Iowa to successfully climb Everest. She started mountain climbing in 2010 and since that time has climbed mountains all over the world.

Her published book “Shots From The Heart” includes 238 pages of photographs and journal excerpts from her travels both near and far.

Over the years Jen has made it a point to volunteer locally, nationally, and internationally. Her humanitarian work includes a variety of projects including construction of schools, homes, and hiking trails, along with river clean up and data collection of endangered species.

She currently lives in Marengo and works in Cedar Rapids.