iJAG Recognizes Outstanding Leadership, Partnership and Student Impact at Back to School Summit
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 21, 2026)—Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) celebrated exceptional leadership, employer partnership, and service to students during its Back-to-School Summit awards event on Monday, August 10, 2026.
The event recognized National JAG award recipients: Principal Financial Group® and Tom Willoughby, iJAG Program Manager at Principal®, were honored with the National High Performer: Employer & Community Impact Award for their commitment to preparing Iowa’s future workforce. Sarah Richardson, iJAG Board Chair and owner of Barker Apartments in Iowa City, was also recognized with the same award for her extraordinary leadership and service. Additionally, Denis Scott from John Deere received the inaugural Mentor of the Year Award, and Moesha Flake, Career Education Specialist at Maquoketa Middle School, was named the 2025–26 Cornerstone Award recipient.
“Behind every iJAG success is a person who chose to invest, believe, empower, and show up. Our students’ success is made possible by an extraordinary community of staff, mentors, board members, employers, and partners who believe in their potential,” said Wendy Mihm-Herold, iJAG President and CEO, during the awards ceremony. “Whether opening a career pathway, mentoring a student, advocating for our mission, or showing up every day in the classroom, each of you is helping change a young person’s life and strengthening Iowa’s future.”
These honorees demonstrate the power of collaboration among educators, employers, volunteers and community leaders to help Iowa students graduate, develop career-ready skills and pursue meaningful opportunities.
Awardee Spotlights:
Principal Financial Group
Principal is a valued iJAG partner committed to preparing Iowa’s future workforce through meaningful career experiences and employment opportunities.
Between 2017 and 2023, Principal hosted more than 100 iJAG interns, resulting in more than 20 full-time hires at Principal. Building on that success, Principal launched the Principal Immersion Program in 2024. Since then, more than 40 iJAG students and alumni have participated in hands-on professional experiences through the program. To date, seven participants have been hired full-time at Principal, and one participant secured an accounting internship through the program.
Through his work at Principal, Willoughby has helped expand opportunities for students through internships, workplace immersion experiences, mentorship programs, and employment pathways with Principal. Working alongside iJAG leaders, educators, volunteers, and Principal employees, he has supported the continued growth of a partnership that helps connect students to meaningful careers while strengthening Iowa’s future workforce.
“Principal represents what is possible when an employer invests deeply and intentionally in young people. This partnership extends from classroom mentoring to paid career experiences, direct hiring, and long-term advancement. The results are powerful evidence that career-connected learning benefits young people, employers, and Iowa’s economy. We are grateful to Tom Willoughby and the entire Principal team for believing in our students and helping them recognize the value of their talents,” said Wendy Mihm-Herold, president and CEO, iJAG.
“The results iJAG continues to achieve for students across Iowa are truly impressive. Principal is honored to be recognized with the National High Impact Award as we continue working together to strengthen Iowa’s workforce of the future,” said Rajesh Arora, vice president & chief data & analytics officer, Principal Financial Group and iJAG Board Member.
Sarah Richardson
Sarah Richardson’s impact extends far beyond her board leadership. She has volunteered in iJAG classrooms and attended Legislative Days as well as Career and Leadership Development Conferences at both the state and national level. As Board Chair, she faithfully led monthly board meetings and provided thoughtful leadership during a time of continued growth and impact for iJAG.
She has also been a passionate advocate for iJAG’s mission, engaging legislators, championing funding and program priorities, and sharing the iJAG story wherever she goes. Her leadership has strengthened the organization, expanded opportunities for students, and helped build lasting partnerships across Iowa.
“Sarah’s leadership represents what it means to truly invest in a mission,” said Wendy Mihm-Herold, iJAG President and CEO. “For 13 years, she has not only believed in iJAG, but she has shown up for our students, advocated for our organization, opened doors, and helped lead us through tremendous growth and impact. Her commitment extends far beyond the boardroom, and iJAG is stronger because of her leadership, her voice, and most importantly, her heart for our students. We are incredibly grateful to recognize Sarah and the lasting impact she continues to make on iJAG and young people across Iowa.”
“It has been an honor to work with iJAG for the last 13 years, and I look forward to more years with iJAG ahead. iJAG fully lives its vision: to empower Iowa’s youth to succeed, thrive, and become future-ready leaders. iJAG transforms lives through social, emotional, academic, and work-based learning as well as through community service and civic engagement,” said Sarah. “Thanks to iJAG, their students will be the business, civic, and community leaders of the future who will stay in Iowa and help our economy grow in key sectors including healthcare, technology, finance, and more.”
Denis Scott
Denis Scott exemplifies outstanding service, servant leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the success of iJAG students. For the past seven years, Denis has served as a dedicated mentor to students at Des Moines Roosevelt High School, building meaningful relationships and helping prepare them for success beyond high school. Through career readiness activities, personal encouragement, and support that extends beyond the classroom, Denis consistently empowers students to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with confidence.
Denis’ genuine investment in students’ lives has shown young people that they have a caring adult cheering them on every step of the way. His impact extends across iJAG, from helping grow the iJAG Mentor Program by recruiting new mentors to volunteering with iJAG’s summer partnership with the Willkie House. Previously recognized by Volunteer Iowa/Iowa MENTOR for his effective mentoring, Denis’ compassion, consistency, and commitment have made a lasting difference in the lives of Iowa’s young people.
“I am so honored and grateful to receive this award. It highlights the impact that mentors can have in a student’s life,” said Denis. “My number one goal as a mentor is to help students prepare for life after high school, whatever path they choose. Mentoring is about being that trusted adult that shows up for them, listens, believes in their potential and invests in their success. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing students gain confidence and realize they can achieve more than they thought possible.”
Moesha Flake
In her role as a Career Education Specialist, Moesha Flake serves as the cornerstone of the JAG mission. Her leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment provide the strength that supports student success and helps programs thrive. Often working behind the scenes, Moesha is an essential part of the architecture that holds everything together.
During the 2024-25 school year, Moesha exemplified what it meant to build opportunities for the more than 60 students she served daily. She coordinated 50 employer engagement experiences and supported students in earning 35 career credentials. She also led 82 service projects, totaling 315 hours of community service. Most importantly, Moesha built meaningful relationships with her students, school, employers, and community, creating an environment where young people felt supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.
A Proven Return on Investment
During the 2025–26 school year, iJAG served 13,119 students through 203 middle and high school programs across Iowa. The organization facilitated 5,024 employer engagements, achieved a 99% graduation rate, an 84% full-time positive outcome rate, and a 96% student connectivity rate one year after graduation.
Additionally, 70% of students participated in authentic work-based learning, and 82% improved academically. Among students who were chronically absent, 57% improved their attendance.
These results demonstrate that investments in career-connected learning and employer partnerships produce measurable returns by strengthening Iowa’s talent pipeline, reducing barriers to employment, and preparing students to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow.
Looking ahead, iJAG will continue expanding employer partnerships, authentic work-based learning opportunities, and career-connected experiences that prepare students for successful careers while helping employers develop the skilled workforce Iowa’s economy depends on.
About Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates
Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates is Iowa’s premier career and leadership development organization, serving 13,119 students through 203 middle and high school programs across the state. As the Iowa affiliate of Jobs for America’s Graduates, iJAG prepares students for success through evidence-based programming, employer partnerships, authentic work-based learning, leadership development, individualized support, and one year of follow-up services after graduation.
Together with schools, employers, volunteers, and community partners, iJAG is strengthening Iowa’s future workforce—one student at a time.
About Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with over 19,000 employees¹ passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 147 years, we’re helping 82 million customers¹ plan, insure, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business and build an inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies² and named as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management³.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to building a better future at principal.com.
1 As of June 30, 2026
2 Ethisphere, 2026
3 Pensions & Investments, 2025