West Des Moines, IA – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for the sixth annual Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, presented by Chase Bank. The 2026 event will feature Coach Ken Carter and Reggie Love as the keynote speakers.
Coach Ken Carter is a successful businessman, author and high school basketball coach best known as the real-life inspiration behind the film “Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson. The story comes from his time at Richmond High School in California, where he took over a struggling basketball program in 1997. Carter implemented a strict contract requiring players to maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend class, dress professionally and demonstrate respectful behavior. When his undefeated, state-playoff-bound team failed to meet those expectations, he famously locked them out of the gym, forcing them to focus on their studies and teamwork. Today, Carter continues to motivate others through his foundation and the Coach Carter Impact Academy, empowering youth to reach their full academic and personal potential.
Reggie Love is a former personal aide to President Barack Obama. A two-sport athlete from Duke University, he played both football and basketball and was on the 2001 NCAA national championship team. Following his time at the White House, Love earned his MBA, authored the New York Times best seller “Power Forward: My Presidential Education” and served as editor-at-large for Vice Sports. Today, Love is a senior advisor at Apollo Global Management.
“We are proud to support the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit,” said Kristi Kaye Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Athene. “It is exciting to welcome accomplished leaders like Coach Carter and Reggie Love as keynote speakers. I am sure their stories will inspire everyone in the room.”
“Chase is committed to supporting opportunities that bring people together to learn, grow, and strengthen our community,” said Marcia Treichel, Community Manager for Chase in Iowa. “Events like this offer business leaders – from seasoned professionals to entrepreneurs and small businesses – the power of collaboration, education, and leadership – values that are at the heart of our work in West Des Moines and beyond.”
The Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit will be held Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. This two-day experience is designed to inspire, educate and empower professionals through dynamic keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
“This summit continues to be a catalyst for growth, connection, and opportunity— bringing together leaders who are shaping the future of business. With our dynamic keynote speakers and transformative sessions, we look forward to empowering attendees to break barriers, build relationships, and create lasting impact across our region and beyond.” said Katherine Harrington, President and CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, the award-winning event will feature a pitch competition, where contestants have collectively earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash prizes over the past five years. The Summit will also include expert speakers and panelists addressing a wide range of relevant and impactful industry topics, presentation of the Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a bus excursion presented by Wells Fargo, featuring Black & Bold Specialty Beverages with two additional locations to be announced, among other highlights.
Registration for the event is now open. For more information about the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, please visit bbbsummit.com.
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