Iowa Messaging Director, Progress Iowa

Katy Siddall is the messaging director for Progress Iowa, a nonprofit communications hub that uses research and message testing to advance progressive causes in Iowa. She has been recognized with an Expy Award from the Analyst Institute for message research, was the communications director for Focus on Rural America and has written direct mail advertising for a number of candidates and causes. Before moving home in 2018, she worked on climate and environmental protection campaigns and advised Iowa U.S House Representatives Bruce Braley and Leonard Boswell. 

Progress Iowa, the state’s progressive communications hub with a network that reaches nearly 100,000, conducts research to develop winning messages, communicates with Iowans about critical policy issues, and empowers people who want to improve our state.

Legislative and Policy Director, Iowa State Education Association.

Melissa has proudly served public education professionals of Iowa since 2011.

Prior to joining ISEA, she worked as a multi-client lobbyist and government relations consultant. Ms. Peterson hold a BA in Organizational Communication and a MA in Argument and Rhetoric from the University of Iowa.

She represents educator members on the IPERS Benefit Advisory Committee, is a founding member of Progress Iowa and is the Vice President of the National Association of Legislative and Political Specialist for Education (NALPSE).  

Director of Strategic Communications & Policy Engagement, American Atheists

Melina Cohen was born and raised in southwest Iowa and has been a lifelong advocate for the separation of church and state.

After spending six years staving off harmful school privatization legislation in Nebraska, Melina joined American Atheists in 2023.

She is currently the Director of Strategic Communications & Policy Engagement and the Editor-in-Chief of American Atheist magazine.

Director of Policy and Advocacy, One Iowa

Keenan Crow is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at One Iowa, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization. Keenan joined the organization after a history of political and non-profit involvement with organizations such as Cedar Valley Citizens for Undoing Racism.

As One Iowa’s staff lobbyist and spokesperson on policy issues, they are on the front lines of the fight for LGBTQ equality in the state of Iowa. Additionally, Keenan has worked to train a diverse number of organizations and institutions around LGBTQ issues including K-16 educators, local and federal agencies, businesses, and health care providers.

In 2019 they became the first non-binary person to moderate a presidential forum. They are a recipient of the 2023 Interfaith Alliance of Iowa partner award and the 2023 Iowa Environmental Council’s Impact Through Advocacy Award.

Bleeding Heartland

Bleeding Heartland is a community blog providing original reporting and commentary about Iowa politics, especially campaigns and elections, state government, social, and environmental issues. Bleeding Heartland also covers what the Iowans in Congress are up to and any federal, state, or local policies of interest to Iowa readers.

Belin found her love of politics growing up with parents and siblings who discussed current events at the dinner table. She has followed Iowa elections closely since the 1980 caucuses, when she took on the role of liberal Republican candidate John Anderson for a classroom debate.

She found her love of writing about politics as an analyst for the Prague-based Open Media Research Institute and later for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The Fix at the Washington Post named Belin as one of Iowa’s outstanding political reporters in 2020 and previously named Bleeding Heartland among the “best state-based political blogs.”

Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

Since 2002, Connie Ryan has served as Executive Director. She is a well-known voice in the public square speaking out to protect religious freedom while ensuring it is not misused as a tool to harm or discriminate; advancing civil rights and fairness for those who are marginalized; and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremist ideologies. Connie also serves as the organization’s lobbyist, effectively shaping public policy at the Statehouse.

Connie believes the best work in any social justice movement is accomplished through collaborative efforts and coalition partnerships. She has spent many years building relationships with faith, civil rights, labor, education, and many other organizational partners and is grateful for their work and partnership to create a more just Iowa.