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!
Save the Date! | Our 2026 Conference 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
It's election time!
There are THREE seats open on the Board of Directors. Those elected will serve three-year terms (2026, 2027, 2028). The term for each of the open seats begins in January 2026.
The Board meets virtually once a month to lead the work of the chapter including planning the annual Midwest Chapter conference. Fill out the self-nomination form if you want to join a group of dedicated engagement practitioners!
Election Schedule
- October 9: Self-nominations are due.
- October 9 - November 2: Voting will occur. If the number of qualified nominations is equal to or less than the number of open seats, candidates will be seated without an election.
- Week of November 17: Election winners are announced.
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.
|
| Term Years: 2023-2025 | ||
 |
 |
 |
|
Dan Pfeiffer Minnesota *2025 President |
||
|
"I will share my planning experience working on the ground in Michigan engaging with rural, suburban, and urban residents of all backgrounds. I will bring an honest perspective about the merits of doing engagement well and the danger to doing it poorly." |
"Using my strengths, I would love to help grow the P2 profession and better establish it as a known professional practice throughout the Midwest. Through strategic collaboration and organized information and resource sharing, we can enhance the P2 work for many project types and communities in the Midwest (and beyond)." |
"I want to continue to bring my planning, leadership, and decision-making skills to the board and continue to expand our membership and recognition. In doing this, we elevate the importance of participatory governance and can help be a positive influence in the communities we work." |
| Term Years: 2024-2026 | ||
 |
 |
 |
|
MJ Lamon |
Emily Larson Minnesota |
|
|
"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." |
"In my organization, I am a leader in facilitation and participatory methods. I bring this experience and focus to my work on the board. After filling a partial term on the board (2021), I feel I am just getting started with ideas and efforts around member engagement in our organization and am honored to continue that work." |
| Term Years: 2025-2027 | ||
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Lisa Morris-Helmstetler Minnesota |
Melody Henning Kansas |
"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." |
Chapter Events
Upcoming Events
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: 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: 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: 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 |
Subscribe to our mailing list