REF Iowa
Leaders Powered by Collective Intelligence
REF is a Global organization of Peer Advisory Boards for Top-Tier Business Leaders.
Members access the Collective Intelligence of their Peers in an environment of trust and confidentiality, locally and globally.
We propel Collective Intelligence through a personal, professional, and business development approach.
REF, formerly "Renaissance Executive Forums" is a global organization that brings together peer advisory boards for top-tier business executives.
Forum Groups are the core of the different REFs memberships.
Members access the Collective Intelligence of their Peers in an environment of Trust and Confidentiality.
Founded in the USA 30 years ago.
Peer advisory board comprised of 12 to 15 CEOs, Presidents, Owners (depending on membership type)
Non-competing industries
Meet one morning a month
Facilitated by a certified REF Forum Leader
Safe space for discussion and debate
Culture of transparency, trust and confidentiality
In their Forum Groups, Members present their biggest challenges and exchange constructive, actionable advice from a diversity of perspectives. This gives them the clarity they need to find transcendent solutions and achieve their personal, professional and business goals.
Regular monthly Forum meeting structure:
Educational Component: Update doses with Experts on topics of interest for Business Leaders.
Round Table: Exchange dynamics of personal and business best practices.
Case: A member presents their biggest challenge, and other members of the group share what they would do in their shoes.
Special annual Forums:
Escape: One-day group retreat focused on personal development.
Offsite: Group trip featuring workshop on strategies for personal and professional success.
All Members Meeting: Annual meeting with other local or regional Groups.
Access to REF's app: Network & Digital Community
Expert Insights: Webinars with Experts about major shifts and trends.
Industry & Interest Networks: International Forum Groups, exchange of best practices and opportunities.
Events: Global, Regional & Local Network.
Unique Experiences: Curated trips, leisure & retreats.
Improved decision-making
Accelerated personal, professional and business growth
Global network of Business Leaders
Meaningful relationships
At REF, Members tap into the wisdom that emerges from the Collective Intelligence of leaders with exceptional backgrounds.
REF provides a unique space where members gain clarity to make their most important and challenging business, professional and personal decisions.
Selective trust-based Forum Groups made up of top-tier business leaders (by invitation only).
Forum Groups led by Forum leaders with business experience.
Case method.
Holistic approach: Personal, professional, and business growth.
Continuous education through leading professionals.
Introspection, reflection, and planning.
REF Iowa Events
We believe evolved and connected leaders are a positive force in the world.
Meet our Team in REF Iowa
Mike is a seasoned business leader and advisor with more than 35 years of broad business experience in Leadership Development, Strategy Development, Business Planning, Marketing, Sales/Distribution Management, Process Improvement, as well as Customer Service, Operations, and Product Development/Management.
Known for his strategic approach and ability to connect the dots between business plans and results, Mike has served as a guide and confidante to hundreds of leaders. He has a knack for facilitating important discussions to uncover and solve the key challenges leaders and their teams face.
Mike has worked closely, over the past 20+ years, advising more than 100 independent businesses ranging in size from $1M to $300M in annual revenue.
Brady is passionate about helping small-midsized businesses achieve their vision and goals. For the past 15 years, Brady has been a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and entrepreneurial operating system (EOS) Integrator.
Brady has helped grow and transform small-midsized businesses in a variety of industries. He has been a leader modernizing accounting processes, optimizing procedures, and cultivating team health and engagement, while ensuring alignment and accountability across the organization. In addition to Brady’s role as a CFO and Integrator, he also managed key client partnerships and developed strong relationships with business partners, banks, and suppliers.
With a solid foundation in public accounting with RSM McGladrey, Brady has strong accounting acumen and analytical skills that enable him to make sound business decisions and deliver value to stakeholders and business owners.
Our Purpose
Is to accelerate the personal, professional, and business evolution of our Members, because we believe evolved and connected leaders are a positive force in the world.
CEO, Owner, President, or equivalent.
SMB: $5M-$100M in revenue or 20-350 employees.
Enterprise: More than $100M in revenue or more than 350 employees.
C-Suite and upper management.
Corporate: $30M-$300M in revenue.
Large Corporations: More than $300M in revenue.
CFOs, VPs of Finance, Financial Directors, or equivalent.
More than $5M in revenue and more than 20 employees.
REF's Testimonials
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“It’s a great opportunity to learn from peers and build a trusted network of support, outside your own four walls, that you can always count on.”
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“If we are going to grow our business, we have to keep growing as individuals.”
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“To join a Forum Group was a no-brainer for me. I surround myself with successful people who can give me advice on crucial business decisions, and cheer me on.”
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“Having the opportunity to share my wrestles, my story, and my vulnerabilities with other business leaders has been a great value add to me as a business owner.”
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“I found a group of individuals who were going through similar situations and can provide valuable insight to help me navigate my biggest business challenges.”
