Green Room: Leading the Next Generation

Posted on January 27, 2026 in Corporate

Delta Dental of Iowa's Green Room will Discuss Leading the Next Generation of the Workforce

Delta Dental of Iowa invites business leaders across the state to its next virtual Green Room event, “Leading the Next Generation: How Gen Z Thinks, Works, and Connects,” on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Today’s talent pool includes up to four generations of workers, with the youngest generation, Gen Z (born 1996-2012), already making up roughly 18% of the U.S. labor force and growing. As this next generation enters the workforce, they bring new expectations shaped by digital-first experiences, economic instability, mental health awareness, and values-aligned living.

This session of the Green Room will be led by April Schmaltz, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa, and her guest Dr. Nikki Harken, author and professor at the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Harken will share insights into how she prepares university students to enter the workforce. Together, they’ll share how organizations and leaders can better understand the Gen Z perspective and create a welcoming environment where the next generation feels engaged and supported.  

Topics to be discussed include:

• Understanding Gen Z values and how leaders and organizations can respond
• Engaging all generations in collaboration and communication, for results 
• Strengthening culture by prioritizing overall health and wellbeing
• Future-proofing your organization by developing high-performing employees from Day 1.

“As Gen Z emerges in the workplace, they will reshape our expectations around wellbeing, communication, and purpose-driven work. Leaders will have a tremendous opportunity to listen, adapt, and lead with intention,” said April Schmaltz, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa. “I’m excited to welcome Dr. Nikki Harken to the Green Room to explore how we can better engage every generation in our workplaces to strengthen culture, foster collaboration, and enable long-term success.”

To register for this free online event, visit this link.

What is The Green Room? 

The Green Room is a conversation series hosted by Delta Dental of Iowa that is designed to help business leaders gain insights for managing, motivating, and achieving continued success for their businesses and employees.

Focused on and tailored for Iowa business leaders
A shared space to discover how others have improved the health of their businesses
Designed to help you gain and share actionable insights