Drake University's Everclass Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Tamara Hills, a 1996 Drake graduate and Chief of Staff, Corporate Relations at Brooks Running Company. Tamara shares her journey from Drake to Seattle, where she's spent more than two decades helping guide one of the world's leading running brands through tremendous growth and transformation. Along the way, she reflects on the power of authentic relationships, the importance of purpose-driven work, lessons in leadership and culture, and why curiosity, communication, and human connection remain timeless skills in an era increasingly shaped by AI.

Join Emmy Award-winning journalist and Drake alumna Micah Materre, JO’84, for a fascinating conversation about her nearly four decades in journalism. From major news events and memorable interviews to the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, Micah will share how the profession has evolved and what it takes to build trust in today's media environment. Gain insights into her career journey, the future of journalism, and the stories behind the headlines from one of Chicago's most respected news leaders.

Micah Materre is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and anchor for the WGN Evening News, WGN News at Nine, and WGN News at Ten. Since joining WGN-TV in 1998, she has covered major stories, hosted the public affairs program People to People, earned numerous industry honors, and become a trusted voice in Chicago journalism.

This special session of Everclass is held in partnership with Drake’s Black Alumni Association.

Local media continues to evolve rapidly, reshaped by shifting audiences, new technologies, and the power of data. In this Everclass session, Paul LeFort, JO’91, Managing Director of Local Media Client Solutions at Nielsen, offers an insider’s view of how local TV, cable, and sports organizations are adapting. Drawing on years of guiding media clients through transformation, he shares how data-driven insights uncover growth opportunities and fuel success. Paul’s career began in Des Moines radio, sparking a passion for local storytelling and the business impact it creates. Listen as he reflects on how audience measurement is evolving, what innovation looks like in local media, and the lessons he’s learned across three decades in the industry.

Discover the real story behind a rising literary career with bestselling author and Drake graduate Ellen Won Steil, JO’07. In this Everclass session, Ellen reflects on her path from Iowa to the bookshelves, sharing the quiet persistence, reinventions, and even failures that fueled The Lives of Others, Becoming Marlow Fin, and Fortune. She will also discuss what it is like to have one of her books optioned for development as a series on Peacock and how her background in journalism and law sharpened her voice as a storyteller. Perfect for creators seeking motivation, insight, and a candid look at the publishing world.

Step inside the world of high-stakes investigations with Utley Noble, LA’85, JD’88, a retired FBI agent whose career spanned some of the nation’s most consequential cases. From leading a multi-state search in a nationally known student abduction to collecting evidence at Ground Zero after 9/11, Noble has seen it all. In this Everclass, he shares how investigators uncover truth amid chaos—revealing lessons in ethics, leadership, and problem-solving that extend far beyond law enforcement. Whether you’re drawn to forensic science or the mindset behind major investigations, you’ll gain rare insights from a life dedicated to uncovering the truth.

Join us for a fascinating discussion with David Lubbers, JO’86—former ESPN investigative producer and award-winning sports journalist—now Assistant Professor of Multimedia News Journalism at Drake. Over nearly two decades at ESPN, Lubbers produced stories for E:60, Outside the Lines, and SportsCenter, covering everything from Super Bowls to Michael Jordan. A career highlight: interviewing legendary coach John Wooden—and asking about Drake’s 1969 Final Four matchup with UCLA. With multiple Peabody and Emmy Awards, Lubbers brings unmatched storytelling experience and a deep passion for journalism.

Craft beer is booming—but can it help reconnect our divided communities? Join Noreen Otto, LW’06, executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild, for an engaging look at the economic and social impact of craft brewing. She’ll explore shifting consumer habits, emerging policy issues, and the creative evolution of the industry. You’ll also get expert tips for discovering your next favorite beer—even if you’re not an IPA fan. A Wisconsin native and Drake Law grad, Otto brings deep experience in public policy, business leadership, and community engagement to this refreshing conversation.

Join us for an insider Everclass with Brian Hardin, Des Moines native and Director of Athletics at Drake University. Since 2017, Hardin has led Drake through its “golden era,” marked by record academic, competitive, and fundraising achievements. In this session, Hardin shares candid insights on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and its impact on student-athletes, the evolving responsibilities of a Division I athletic director, and the realities behind NCAA tournament selection and seeding. Learn how he has shaped Drake into Des Moines’ Hometown Team and a national model for success. Don’t miss this conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of college sports.

Join us for an inspiring Everclass session featuring two Drake Bulldogs who are making big moves on the world stage.

As Team USA gears up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, two familiar names are heading overseas: Reed Fischer, a standout 2017 Drake grad and elite marathoner, and Blake Boldon, current Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, who will serve as the Men’s Head Manager for Team USA.

Reed earned his spot on the U.S. marathon team after a blazing 2:10:14 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon—adding to an already impressive career that started right here at Drake. From conference champ to international competitor, his journey is one you won’t want to miss.

Blake, no stranger to the global athletics scene, is heading to Tokyo for his fifth Team USA staff role in just four years. He’s mentored Reed before on the international stage at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. And now they’re teaming up again—this time on the world’s biggest stage.

Hear their stories, insights, and what it means to represent both Team USA and Drake University on a global level.

The COVID pandemic reshaped how we work, shifting many from office desks to home setups. As organizations consider office-forward, remote-first, or hybrid strategies, employees have their own preferences. In their new book, The New Workplace: Employee Alignment in Remote-First, Office-Forward, and Hybrid Work Organizations, Drake professors Dr. Radostina (Ina) Purvanova, Professor of Organizational Leadership, and Dr. Alanah Mitchell, Aliber Distinguished Professor of Information Systems share research showing that the key to success is alignment. There’s no single “right” model or new normal; instead, choice and flexibility drive results. Join us as Ina and Alanah discuss how YOU can find alignment across differing workplace strategies and employee preferences.