Welcome to the Midwest Chapter!
The Midwest Chapter spans 12 states, making it the largest geographic chapter of IAP2 USA. We are happy to serve IAP2 members and friends who reside in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
View our Chapter's Equity Statement here.
In September 2024, the Board approved a strategic plan that will help guide the chapter for the next five years.
Connect with us!
| Our 2026 Conference, themed Inspiring People, Partnership, and Participation, is set for April 15-16 in Dubuque, IA! The format will be a little different than in years past, with an all-day conference on Wednesday and Thursday and a pre-conference networking reception on Tuesday evening, April 14. Visit our conference webpage for more information. |
Connect with the Chapter
Join a Committee! Serving on a committee is a wonderful way to meet other P2 practitioners in our chapter's geographic footprint, as well as a powerful way to build your own skills and expertise. You could also service on one (or more!) of our committees:
Contact any of the board members below, or email us to learn more! |
Meet our Board of Directors
The Midwest Chapter Board of Directors has nine seats of staggered three-year terms. As part of the chapter's annual election, the call for self-nominations to the board is issued in October.
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| Term Years: 2024-2026 | ||
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MJ Lamon |
Emily Larson Minnesota |
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"I feel there is an opportunity to better reach and serve those professionals who don't necessary focus all of their work on public engagement, but, like most in the public sector, find themselves having to 'do' public engagement regardless." |
"I am always drawn to serve in capacities that create spaces for others to learn and grow. Serving on a board is one role and leading committees is how we get the work done. My arranger, activator and strategic strengths allow me to make things happen by turning thoughts into action, organize with flexibility, and find routes to move work forward." |
"I bring a strong background in facilitation and participatory decision making to my work on the board. I’ve been honored to help guide our chapter’s strategic planning and five-year vision—strengthening member engagement, professional development, and sustainable governance." |
| Term Years: 2025-2027 | ||
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Lisa Morris-Helmstetler Minnesota |
Melody Henning |
"I am eager to make new connections and learn more about what others are doing in the world of communications and engagement." | " I believe in IAP2 and that this strong framework is necessary for any organization to fully understand community engagement and learn how to bring community in to develop together." | "I want to help build a meaningful and responsive support network for community engagement professionals on the front lines of addressing wicked problems." |
| Term Years: 2026-2028 | ||
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Edell Fiedler Wisconsin |
Brenda Morales Minnesota *2026 Treasurer |
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"I received IAP2 training in 2021, and it transformed my work in ways I’ll always be grateful for. I want to help keep this work accessible to other professionals—no matter their background—who are committed to creating inclusive, responsible, and accessible public participation experiences." |
"I will bring a new industry lens now that I am working in K-12 education. Much of the work we do involves community engagement, such as developing our strategic framework, and I believe this connection is another way to raise awareness of the work done by IAP2 practitioners and how it overlaps industries." |
"I bring to the board firsthand life experiences of an immigrant, woman of color, and English as a second language speaker. These life experiences have better equipped me as an engagement professional and practitioner. I will bring an equity lens and ensure we increase membership among engagement professionals of color." |
Chapter Events
Upcoming Events
Bites & Insights: January 21, Noon to 1pm Central
‘I Don’t Speak Engineer’: Creative and Accessible Communications Best Practices Community members can’t meaningfully contribute to projects they don’t understand. Transportation and infrastructure plans are notoriously wonky – laden with acronyms and industry jargon. Plain language and accessibility standards are helpful tools to facilitate more inclusive engagement with people from all walks of life. But communications can start to feel routine. Simple and easy to understand doesn’t have to mean boring. In this session, explore real creative examples from transportation projects that bring plans to life for people of all backgrounds. Following an overview of best practices and out-of-the-box approaches, participants will work through creative exercises in small groups to translate CAD drawings into creative communications. Presenter: Sara Swenson 2026 Conference: April 15-16, 2026 The 2026 IAP2 Midwest Chapter Conference will be held in Dubuque, Iowa, from April 15-16, 2026 at the Hotel Julien Dubuque. The format will be a little different than in years past, with an all-day conference on Wednesday and Thursday and a pre-conference networking reception on Tuesday evening, April 14. | Past Events Bites & Insights: November 19, Noon to 1pm Central Community-Driven Engagement Field Notes: Fueling Local Positive Change Community members are often most motivated to engage with local governments when they are the ones to initiate action and advocacy around a project or issue that matters to them. Yet the creative change-making potential of highly energized community-driven public participation often remains untapped by local governments. How might local governments connect with active community networks to build relationships that galvanize collaborative change? A community-centered engagement specialist shares some takeaways from decades of successes and challenges encountered while embedded in community action and activism in a Midwestern city. This session includes a participatory “imagination laboratory” of strategic planning and other engagement activities. Presenter: Sara Taliaferro Bites & Insights: October 8, Noon to 1pm Central From Missed Connections to Meaningful Engagement: Strategies for Community Success Join the Community Development Alliance (CDA) for an engaging workshop that aims to transform public engagement strategies into impactful community connections using the IAP2 Spectrum of Engagement. Participants from various sectors—including housing, education, health, and workforce development—will explore innovative governance tools to enhance community involvement and promote equitable outcomes. CDA, a coalition dedicated to advancing racial equity, applies the five elements of collective impact while utilizing frameworks like the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) toolkit. This ensures community voices actively shape decision-making processes. We will highlight our initiatives, such as the 2021 Collective Affordable Housing Plan, and share how our newly formed Residential Advisory Council on Housing deepens resident engagement. Together, we’ll engage in collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, empowering participants to create meaningful partnerships that drive community success! Presenter: Cordella Jones Bites & Insights: September 10, 2025 Creating a Community Engagement Guide from Scratch What happens when a city decides it's time to stop playing defense and start leading the conversation? In this energizing session, discover how the City of Lincoln's Transportation and Utilities Department transformed its once reactive, high-stress approach to community engagement into a proactive, strategic effort built on collaboration and trust. You'll step into the shoes of municipal leaders as they share the journey of creating Lincoln’s first-ever community engagement guide. From assembling a diverse internal team to launching a citywide rollout that’s already changing how departments work together and connect with the community. Expect more than just slides. This session features interactive polling, recorded interview with a resident, and an opportunity to offer your own experiences in the Chat as we discuss and reflect on different practices, challenges, and how they align (or don’t) with IAP2 principles. Whether you're just starting out or ready to refresh your strategy, walk away with practical insights and inspiration to drive meaningful engagement in your own community. Presenter: Erika Hill |
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