Paul H. Richardson, Jr.

Paul H. Richardson, Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Tumbleweed, a purpose-driven tech company helping families navigate aging, caregiving, and legacy planning with greater ease and compassion. With a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and a background in healthcare and technology, Paul brings a people-first lens to innovation, leadership, and impact.

As an openly gay founder and former board member of the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Paul is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. He actively mentors queer-identifying founders and champions opportunities that foster visibility, belonging, and economic growth within the LGBTQ+ community.

Through his leadership at Tumbleweed and beyond, Paul is committed to building a future where every person—and every story—is honored with dignity and care.

Jacki Boldt

Jacki serves as the Executive Director for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in Iowa and has supported the program since it originated in Iowa in 2019. Prior to this, she worked in a variety of roles at Des Moines Area Community College focusing on workforce development and employee training initiatives in the central Iowa region. Jacki holds an MS in Business Analytics and undergraduate degrees in Business and Education. 

Gabe Wells

Gabe Wells is a Commercial Banking Officer with Fortress Bank. Currently residing in the Quad Cities, he grew up in rural Southern Iowa, earned his undergraduate degree at Simpson College, and his MBA through the University of Iowa – Tipple School of Business.

Gabe has 20 years in commercial finance experience, the last 10 as a commercial banker at community banks in Portland, OR, and Davenport, IA. He works with business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits on their needs for most forms of commercial financing and day to day banking services.

In his free time he enjoys traveling, cooking and experiencing food and drink from around the globe. He believes many of the world’s problems could be solved by sitting down with someone, in their space, and sharing their favorite meal while hearing the story of what that meal means to them. Also, as a dad to a 7 and 9 year old, he is mastering the art of the dad joke and reading books and stories in the most obnoxious voices he can come up with.

Tony Tandeski

Tony Tandeski is the co-owner of Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe, which recently opened its doors as a first-of-its-kind concept for Des Moines and Iowa. Along with co-owner, Annelise Tarnowski, the pair built the Rook Room over 6 years from an idea; to a board game events and experiences pop-up; to a brick-and-mortar, game-focused restaurant, lounge, cafe, and community space with the mission of bringing people together over a shared love of games. Tony is also a Des Moines Business Record Forty Under 40 recipient and was recently awarded the Drake University Young Alumni Loyalty Award alongside Annelise. 

Iowa Pride Ensembles

Iowa Pride Ensembles is a new non-profit community band for LGBTQ+ and allied musicians. As a budding organization in its first year, the Iowa Pride Ensembles Marching Band has been sought after to perform at Pride celebrations around the state of Iowa. Future plans for the organization include a seasonal concert band, a jazz band, a pep band, and other small employable ensembles. Iowa Pride Ensembles is currently at the "band in formation" stage of membership in the national organization Pride Bands Alliance, which connects pride bands around the country. Iowa Pride Ensembles members stretch across the entire state of Iowa. Our mission is to create community and promote inclusion through music.