2022 Woman of the Year Award RecognitionCopyrighted
November 7, 2022
City of Dubuque Presentation(s) # 01.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: 2022 Woman of the Year Award Recognition
SUMMARY: Amy Gilligan, Executive Editor of the Telegraph Herald, will recognize
Director of Strategic Partnerships Teri Hawks Goodmann as the 2022
Woman of the Year as part of the Telegraph Herald, BizTimes.biz, and
Her Magazine's annual Salute to Women Awards.
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Teri Goodmann Her magazine cover/article Supporting Documentation
Nomination Supporting Documentation
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MEET THE 2022 SALUTE TO WOMEN AWARD RECIPIENTS
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On the cover:
Woman of the Year
TERI HAWKS GOODMANN, CITY OF DUBUQUE
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Woman of the Year
Teri Hawks Goodmann
Age: 68.
Location: Dubuque.
Title and organization: Director of
Strategic Partnerships, City of Dubuque.
Number of years with organization: 25
years.
Education: Graduated with a degree in
history from Clarke University in Dubuque
in 1976. Attended Institute for American
Universities, Aix-en-Provence, France, 1974-
1975.
Career highlights
. Iowa Democratic Party Voter
Identification Program, 1978.
. Elementary school enrichment French
and Spanish instructor,1985-1992.
. Dubuque County Historical Society/
Riverboat Museum, marketing director
and Americas River campaign coordinator,
1994-2002; Dubuque County Historical
Society/National Mississippi River Museum
& Aquarium development director, 2002-
2007; Director of National Advancement,
contracted with Dubuque County Historical
Society/National Mississippi River Museum
& Aquarium/National Rivers Hall of Fame,
2007-2012.
• City of Dubuque assistant city manager,
2007-2019; City of Dubuque director of
strategic partnerships, March 2020-present.
. Community outreach and volunteering:
. Political campaign coordinator/
manager/chairperson, 1980-2007.
. Birthright volunteer, 1979-1987
Gubernatorial appointments:
. Iowa State Historical Society, Gov. Tom
Vilsack.
• State of Iowa Vertical Infrastructure
Advisory Committee, Gov. Tom Vilsack.
• State of Iowa Smart Growth Planning
Task Force, Gov. Chet Culver.
• State of Iowa Commercial Property Tax
Reform Task Force, Gov. Chet Culver.
. State of Iowa Mississippi Partnership
Council, Gov. Terry Branstad.
• State of Iowa Norman Borlaug
Congressional Statue Committee, Gov. Terry
Branstad.
• Dubuque County Judicial Magistrate
Nominating Committee, 2000-2019.
. EPA Administrator appointment
Government Advisory Committee, advising
the Tri-lateral (Canadian, Mexican and
U.S.) Commission for Environmental
Cooperation about the development of U.S.
policy positions regarding implementation
of the North American Agreement
on Environmental Cooperation. The
commission was established through
amendment to NAFTA, 2010-2012.
. EPA Administrator appointment to the
Local Government Advisory Commission
to advise the administrator on on critical
environmental issues impacting local
governments, 2012-2018.
. Hillcrest Family Services, board of
directors.
. Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical
Gardens, board of directors.
. Dubuque Regional Airport
commissioner, 2000-2007.
• Clarke University, board of trustees,
2011-2018.
. Fountain of Youth, development and
marketing committee, 2020-present.
• Dubuque Lantern Center, development
and marketing committee, 2021-present.
. Dubuque County Historical Society/
National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium, board of directors, 2020-present.
October 2022 Her 7
. Dubuque County Historical Society/
National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium, National Rivers Hall of Fame
board, 2018-present.
• The Nature Conservancy Iowa Chapter,
board member, 2004-2008.
. National Waterways Foundation, board
Of trustees, 2002-present.
• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana,
board of directors, 2001-2012.
. America's Watershed Initiative,
steering committee and board of directors,
2010-present.
Number of years volunteering:
Volunteering has been an integral part
of my life since childhood. While living
in Dubuque, I would count 50 years of
volunteering.
For the better part of my life, and for the
betterment of my life, I have volunteered for
various nonprofit organizations, city and
county board positions, and for political
candidates and campaigns.
In high school and college, I participated in
student and faculty governance committees.
After I married, I volunteered for
community organizations and at our parish
for festivals and fundraising events. I served
on the Holy Ghost School board and as a
Girl Scouts leader for our daughters' troops.
Volunteering for and leading political
campaigns in Dubuque has ranged from
elections for county supervisor, county
auditor, mayor and council members (before
joining the City of Dubuque), for state
representatives and state senators, for U.S.
Congressional candidates and for candidates
for president of the United States.
As a lover of history and an experienced
volunteer, I always am reminded of Alexis
de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America'
written following a trip to America in 1831-
1832. His observations and accounts marvel
about everydayAmericans extending this
original concept of American democracy
outside formal governance to include
Salute to Women
Goodmann speaks during the grand opening ceremony for the National Mississippi River
Museum &Aquarium in 2003.
For the better part of my life, and for the betterment
of my life, I have volunteered for various nonprofit
organizations, city and county board positions, and
for political candidates and campaigns.
8 Her October 2022
he. Salute to Women
I had some trepidation and fear about returning to a job after a
16-year hiatus staying home with our children. However, I found that
my volunteer work throughout those years fully prepared me for and
helped me to succeed in my next chapter.
Actress Kate Mulgrew (left) talks with Goodmann (middle) and Suellen Flynn during the 2009
Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Happy's Place.
the formation of associations of all kinds,
including social, political and civic groups
that would advance the common good. I keep
that ideal in mind always. My professional
success could not have been possible without
the lifetime of volunteer work I have been
fortunate to experience.
Family: Husband John Goodmann,
daughters Emily Goodmann (fiance Kevin
Hudson) Ellen Goodmann Miller and spouse
Tom Miller, son Edward and spouse Lindsey
Meacham and daughter Elise Goodmann
and spouse Austin Hoffman. Granddaughters
Violet and Freya Miller and grandson Sammy
Goodmann. I also am blessed with six sisters
and a brother and incredibly loving and
successful parents.
How did you get involved with your
various organizations and within the
community?
I became involved in the Dubuque
community through college, marriage and
volunteering. I was particularly involved as
a volunteer in local, statewide and national
politics. Through these and other volunteer
activities, I was fortunate to grow in my
understanding of the community and the
world.
My work for the river museum began in
1994, when Jerry Enzler — then the executive
director of the Dubuque County Historical
Society — invited me to apply for a marketing
job at the Dubuque County Historical
Society/Woodward Riverboat Museum. I had
some trepidation and fear about returning
to a job after a 16-year hiatus staying home
with our children. However, I found that my
volunteer work throughout those years fully
prepared me for and helped me to succeed in
my next chapter.
Upon the death of William "Bill"
Woodward, president of the Dubuque County
Historical Society board of directors, in 1995,
and with the receipt of his generous legacy
gift to the historical society, the river museum
embarked on a major capital campaign.
In 1997, I was assigned a leadership role
in the museums $188 million America's
River campaign. The capital campaign
grew in scope to include the city's plans
for riverfront redevelopment at the Fourth
Street Peninsula. This expanded vision and
project led to the formation of partnerships
with the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque
Area Chamber of Commerce. Through
these partnerships, relationships were
developed with staff and leaders of these
respective organizations. And because of
these partnerships, the capital campaign
goals were met and exceeded resulting in
the opening of the National Mississippi
River Museum & Aquarium, the Grand
River Center, the Grand Harbor Hotel and
Waterpark, the Mississippi Riverwalk, the
American Trust River's Edge Plaza, the
Alliant EnergyAmphitheater, the Charles
Stoltz Heritage Trail link to the Fourth
Street Peninsula and the construction of the
transient boat docks at the Ice Harbor.
In 2007, I changed my role at the historical
society to a 30-hour a week part-time
contracted employee and continued to raise
funds for the museum, specifically for a
national traveling exhibit and to launch the
museum's national education and outreach
program RiverWorks Discovery. At this
time, I was approached by the city manager
and asked to consider 30-hour part-time
work at the city also. My role would include
assisting the City of Dubuque in expanding its
partnerships with the private, nonprofit and
government sectors and to identify potential
funding sources for major city projects.
From 2007 through 2012, I concurrently
held the position at the museum and
worked for the city. After raising funds for
the museum's national traveling exhibit
and launching the museum's national
education program, RiverWorks Discovery,
I left the museum in 2012 and continued my
professional full-time career at the City of
Dubuque.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I left the
city for six months to assist in the education
10 Her October 2022
of my granddaughters until they returned
to school full-time. When they returned
to the classroom following the pandemic
restrictions, I returned to the city as director
of strategic partnerships and continue in this
role today.
What challenges have you faced in your
role?
My role at the city includes working with
our partners in the private and nonprofit
sector and also with our partners in county,
state and federal government. Challenges
we face are inherent in all partnerships —
like marriage or any close association — the
imperative is to balance multiple demands,
priorities and visions. As City Manager
Mike Van Milligen reminds us, partnerships
as strong and essential to a successful
community, but partnerships also are fragile
and require our greatest focus and attention.
Partners can have competing interests and
we must negotiate, compromise and seek the
greater good for all.
Challenges with government partners
— whether local, state or federal — involve
significant competing interests. I have a long
history of participation in local, state and
national political campaigns; however, I have
a longer history of working professionally
in a bipartisan effort to accomplish city and
community priorities as my appointments to
state commissions by governors from both
parties demonstrate. Some might see this as
a challenge, but any challenge I might have
perceived was put to rest by two excellent
mentors on the staff of U.S. Sen. Chuck
Grassley and U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin in 1997.
While working on grants for the America's
River project, John Conrad, of Sen. Grassley's
staff, and Richard Bender, of Sen. Harkin's
staff, and I had a meeting. They explained
the protocols essential to success that I
was to learn, understand and follow at the
U.S. Capitol. First, they said, no matter the
partisan contests and campaigning in Iowa,
no matter the parry differences, the respective
staff from the congressional offices would all
work together for Iowa and theywould work
together for Dubuque. My job was to describe
and advocate for the community's goals and
objectives.
hei Salute to Women
I have followed their advice and good
counsel now for 25 years. I must admit, things
have changed on the national scene where
rancor and distrust and misinformation
appear to rule the day. This poses additional
challenges for each of us individually and
collectively. But through professional
conduct, and across the aisle, we hold onto
the hope that the positive and personal
relationships we have built for Dubuque with
elected officials at all levels will hold true and
might prove once again to be the norm for
our entire country.
Dubuque leaders have been welcomed
into the offices of many members of
Congress, at the White House and at the State
Capitol. I have traveled with two mayors,
business and community leaders to Des
Moines and Washington D.C. to meetwith
administration officials, elected members
of Congress and to the visit with leaders of
nonprofit organizations and foundations.
We carry the aspirations and dreams of a
community considered relatively small in the
big scheme of things. But Dubuque always
has competed above its weight for projects,
programs and appropriations. We also carry
the decades old hope that we will continue
to be able to work together, in partnership, to
negotiate and compromise for a prosperous,
resilient, safe and equitable Dubuque.
Challenges are to be expected, and we persist.
What is the most fulfilling part of what
you do?
It is difficult to express the joy I experience
each daywhen I rise and go to the office
to work with consummate professionals.
And while everyone I work with is truly
professional and arguably some of the
brightest in their field, at the City of Dubuque,
women constitute more than 50% of city
leadership. In addition, I work in a diverse
workforce. I am grateful for the fulfilling work
I can perform for the community that I love
and for my family who always have supported
me.
What do you believe makes an effective
leader?
Leaders do not exist in isolation but only
in a group of people, so these characteristics
reflect my belief.
Humility, inclusiveness and team -building
skills — knowing that individually, no one has
the perfect solution/answer, and we need a
team to face, explore, dissect and successfully
identify a path forward.
Collaboration — belief that we need others,
working together to accomplish goals. This
includes being an active listener. It is essential
to see and to hear people.
Decisiveness — having the courage and the
accountability to move forward.
Commitment — to the team and the
process.
Compassion — understanding the human
condition and all that entails.
Gratitude — expressing appreciation
frequently.
Why is community outreach important
to you?
Community outreach is essential to any
role at the City of Dubuque. We hold the
community trust, and the community needs
to constantly be apprised of challenges and
invited and included, to be a part of the
solution.
When not busy in your various roles,
what activities do you enjoy?
Family. Family. Family. I spend most of
my time with family and friends. I garden
for fun and meditation — flowers and
vegetables. I love to walk and enjoy hiking at
the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and
at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve. I love to read
nonfiction and travel.
What was your reaction to receivingyour
Salute to Women award?
I was surprised, humbled and honored.
If you could offer one piece of advice to
other women, what would it be?
Find your passion and pursue it. Bring
others with you.
I am grateful for the fulfilling work I can perform for the community that
I love and for my family who always have supported me.
October 2022 Her 11
2022 Telegraph Herald Salute to Women
Woman of the Year Nomination — Teri Goodmann
1. ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Include organizations where the nominee works, attended school, and has worked, with
important dates, titles and responsibilities. Additional information could include:
- Professional accomplishments
- Special skills and abilities
Teri Hawks Goodmann is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the City of Dubuque,
a position she has held since March 2021. In this role, she interacts with local, state,
and federal legislative bodies, government agencies, and the City's partners to
represent the City's business plans, partnerships, and interests.
Teri served as Assistant City Manager from 2007 to 2020. In this position she focused
on intergovernmental relations, strategic partnerships, and private and public grant
funding. She was the City's legislative liaison working with city, county, state and federal
elected and appointed government officials maintaining effective working relationships
and alliances.
Prior to joining the City of Dubuque, Teri led the National Mississippi River Museum &
Aquarium's national development efforts, including the management of government
relations and strategic partnerships, fund development, national outreach and education
as the Director of National Advancement for the NMRMA and National Rivers Hall of
Fame. In this capacity, she was the lead campaign coordinator for the nationally
recognized and highly successful America's River project, the $188 million phase one
riverfront redevelopment initiative in Dubuque, Iowa which opened in 2003. In addition,
she was responsible for launching and managing the museum's national education and
outreach program RiverWorks Discovery featuring the conservation, commerce and
culture of the rivers of America.
Prior to her employment with the Dubuque County Historical Society/National
Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, she worked for sixteen years as consultant and
taught French and Spanish to elementary students at area schools.
Teri serves as a trustee of Clarke University and for the National Waterways
Foundation. She is a founding member of America's Watershed Initiative (AWI) and
serves on the AWI Steering Committee. She is a member of the Dubuque County
Magistrate Appointing Committee.
Teri was appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator to serve on
the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) advising the Commission for
Environmental Cooperation. Teri is also a board member of the John C. Culver Public
Policy Center at Simpson College.
She holds bachelor's degrees in History, French, and Spanish from Clarke University
Past gubernatorial appointments:
• Vertical Infrastructure Advisory Committee — Governor Vilsack
• State Historical Society of Iowa — Governor Vilsack
• State of Iowa Smart Growth Planning Task Force - Governor Culver
• Commercial Property Tax Reform Task Force - Governor Culver
Current gubernatorial appointments:
• Mississippi River Partnership Council — Governor Branstad
• Norman Borlaug Congressional Statue Committee by Governor Branstad
Teri is past chair of the Dubuque Regional Airport Commission, has served on the
boards of Hillcrest Family Service, the Friends of the Mines of Spain, and the Dubuque
Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and was a Girl Scout leader for many years.
2. LEADERSHIP
- What leadership qualities does the nominee demonstrate in her role?
- What type of impact has the nominee had on her organization?
Teri is a creative, pragmatic, and determined leader. Her advocacy work for Dubuque
and its many non-profit organizations over the years has benefited tremendously from
her relationships with federal and state elected officials and their staff, federal and state
agency leaders and staff, and others. Thanks to her pragmatic approach to advocacy
regardless of politics, Teri has built and maintained critical connections with local, state,
and federal partners who have and continue to support countless local, regional, and
state initiatives to improve quality of life.
Her creativity is evident in identifying funding sources for organizations, initiatives, and
campaigns. In the case of the Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project, she led
the effort to modify an existing state flood mitigation project so that Dubuque qualified
for millions of state grant dollars to reduce the financial impact of that critical project for
local residents.
She was also critical in creating the State of Iowa Sales Tax Rebate grant program that
resulted in the City receiving an almost $100 million Bee Branch grant.
3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Include past and present active involvement in community organizations where the
nominee has made a significant impact.
During her employment with the Dubuque County Historical Society, Teri was one of the
driving forces in the development and implementation of the America's River Project in
the Port of Dubuque, especially the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
2
As director of development, she led the fundraising and "friend raising" efforts to support
the projects that transformed Dubuque's riverfront from a brownfield to a regional
attraction.
Teri is a connector and has coordinated the annual visits of Dubuque delegations to
Washington DC and Des Moines to personally meet with legislators, congressional staff,
and agencies to advocate for Dubuque organizations and initiatives. She also manages
the annual Congressional Staff Visit, which brings the staff of Dubuque's federal
legislators to Dubuque for several days every summer to learn more about the
community, connect with leaders, and visit project sites.
Teri is currently coordinating the Dubuque community's efforts to secure federal funds
available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law (BIL). She has convened and continues to engage over 180 individuals from more
than 20 local organizations to identify, apply for, and secure grants to address local
needs. As part of this process, she has led two meetings with over 80 non-profit
leaders to help them find to federal grant funding.
To understand the breadth of these efforts, consider all the grant topic teams that have
formed under her leadership: Arts & Culture, Broadband Growth, Brain Health,
Brownfield Revitalization, Child Care, Disaster Mitigation, Domestic Violence
Prevention, Economic/Downtown Development & Historic Preservation, Education,
Emergency Communications, Energy Infrastructure, Equity, Food & Food Systems,
Health & Wellness, Housing, Immigration, Job Training, Law Enforcement & Diversion,
Lead Service Line Replacement, Parks, Recreation, and Trails, Partnership on Nutrient
Runoff, Surface Transportation, Sustainability, Transit Infrastructure, and Water
Infrastructure.
To date, through her strategic engagement, she's coordinated the applications of over
$20 million for municipal projects and assisted community partners who've received just
under $43 million of ARPA relief funds and BIL opportunity awards.
Over the course of her career, she has been responsible for bringing over $1 billion of
federal and state grants to the Dubuque community.
4. MENTORING/COACHING
Include examples of how the nominee supports the personal and/or professional growth
of other women.
Throughout her career, Teri has been a trailblazer and a great example for professional
women, especially in those in development. She has been and continues to be an
informal mentor to the women she works with for the City of Dubuque as well as the
women she interacts with in the community and beyond. Teri often establishes
personal relationships with women that extend beyond work and often become
friendships.
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