Dick Ferguson
A 38-year employee of ACT, including 22 years as CEO and Chairman, Ferguson led the organization’s growth into one of the world’s largest education and workforce assessment companies. After retiring in 2010, he joined several Dallas-based edtech startups focused on expanding online degree access across the U.S. and Latin America. Over the past decade, Ferguson has mentored and chaired numerous education and health startups. He also co-founded Intellisee, where he serves as board chairman, advancing AI-driven tools that deliver real-time alerts to help users respond quickly to potential risks.
Adam Keune
Keune became the second executive director in the history of the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center in August 2024. A Cedar Rapids native, he is a dynamic leader with deep experience building and scaling high-growth companies. He co-founded Higher Learning Technologies in 2012, helping grow the EdTech platform to reach more than 30 million users in 200+ countries. Keune previously served on JPEC’s advisory board and as entrepreneur-in-residence. He has earned multiple honors for company culture and innovation and remains actively involved in statewide economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Ravi Patel
Patel is president of Hawkeye Hotels, one of the fastest-growing hotel companies in the country. He has led more than 50 development and acquisition projects totaling over $1 billion. Beyond hospitality, Patel is an active startup investor, philanthropist, and civic leader. He co-founded Built By Iowa, investing in more than 20 early-stage companies. Patel earned a BA in business management and a certificate in entrepreneurship from the University of Iowa and serves on the boards of the Iowa Venture Capital Association and West Bank Community Board.
Dirk Quayle
Quayle is a managing director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, where he leads Defined Contribution Platform Enterprise Strategy. He joined the firm in 2022 following its acquisition of NextCapital Group, where he was co-founder, president, and board member, as well as co-founder of its predecessor, Business Logic. Throughout his career, Quayle has focused on strategy, product development, sales, and capital raising. Earlier, he was a director at Deutsche Bank Securities. He earned a BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa and is a CFA charterholder.
Nicole Strait
Strait earned a BBA in industrial relations and human resources management from the University of Iowa in 1993. She built her early career in progressive HR leadership roles at major consumer and food companies, including Cargill, Pillsbury, International Multifoods, and CNS, known for Breathe Right® Nasal Strips. In 2007, she co-founded River Rock Partners, a consulting firm supporting small to mid-sized founder-led and private equity-backed companies with strategic and organizational planning. Since 2014, she has led organization strategy and portfolio operations at Norwest Equity Partners, guiding executive advisors and partnering with founders and CEOs to build scalable, high-performing organizations.