The sixth annual Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, presented by Chase, brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders and community members in West Des Moines for a day of speakers, panels, networking and a pitch competition.
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce said this year’s Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit drew more than 500 registrants, marking another strong turnout for the annual event.
Held in West Des Moines, the summit focused on helping attendees gain tools, insights and connections to overcome barriers, access resources and build collaboration. The program included keynote speakers, panel discussions, a pitch competition, a small-business excursion and networking sessions.
Katherine Harrington, president and CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber, said the turnout and engagement helped define this year’s event.
“The energy, the connections, and the passion from every attendee, speaker, and partner truly brought this event to life,” Harrington said in a statement. She also thanked sponsors, partners and attendees for supporting the summit.
Speaker lineup featured national names and business leadership
According to the chamber, this year’s summit featured Reggie Love, senior advisor at Apollo Global Management and former special assistant to President Barack Obama, along with Ken Carter, the real-life inspiration behind Coach Carter.
Kristi Kaye Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, said the event continued its tradition of bringing in high-profile speakers with business and leadership experience.
Pitch competition drew more than 150 applications
One of the main highlights of the summit was the 2026 Pitch Competition. Organizers said they received more than 150 applications from around the world, including several from Iowa.
In early March, seven finalists were selected to pitch live in front of a panel of judges. During the event, an eighth contestant was also chosen at random, bringing the total number of participants to eight.
Finalists competing for the Catalyst Award, presented by Principal, were evaluated on presentation, positive societal impact, scalability, growth potential, and alignment with their mission and vision.
This year’s pitch competition winner was Kia-Shun Voltz, founder and CEO of ShampooTime, who received the grand prize of $12,000.
Voltz said the event was especially meaningful because it was her third time applying. She said she had nearly decided not to do it again and used the opportunity not only to pitch her business, but also to build connections with other entrepreneurs in the room.
Ying Sa receives 2026 Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award
The summit also recognized Ying Sa, CEO of Community CPA & Associates, Inc., as the recipient of the 2026 Mel Essex Entrepreneur Award.
The award honors individuals who demonstrate strong business ethics and a commitment to inspiring and encouraging others to pursue economic success.
Sa said she was honored by the recognition and highlighted the growth of Community CPA, noting that the company now serves 30,000 clients across the country. She also said the organization will continue developing professionals and future entrepreneurs.
Summit continues to focus on growth, innovation and opportunity
The West Des Moines Chamber described the summit as a space built around practical tools, collaboration and opportunity for entrepreneurs and professionals.
This year’s program combined business development and networking with recognition for entrepreneurs making an impact in their industries and communities.
More information about the event is available through the West Des Moines Chamber at www.wdmchamber.org/BBBSummit.
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