Bulldogs in the Spotlight
Recognizing the accomplishments, passions, and milestones of Drake University alumni
Tiffany D. (Abell) Tauscheck, JO’01, was selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to serve on the Chamber’s Committee of 100, where she will be the only representative from the state of Iowa. Additionally, Tiffany was named Best Up-and-Coming Business Leader at the 2024 Des Moines Business Record’s Best of Des Moines honors.
In January, during Seattle Kraken Pride Night, Joey J. Gale, BN’15, was honored with the NHL team’s “Heroes of the Deep” Award for his work in founding the Seattle Pride Hockey Association (SPHA) and its impact on both the sport and the LGBTQ+ community. The evening concluded with a $32,000 donation from the Kraken Unity Fund and One Roof Foundation to support SPHA’s mission of creating an inclusive and welcoming hockey environment.
Reed C. Fisher, AS’17, JO’17, finished the 2024 Chicago Marathon as the third-ranked American and 13th overall with a personal best time of 2:10:14. Once a walk-on at Drake University, he’s worked his way up the ranks and is now a two-time World Championship qualifier for Team USA. Reed holds a marathon personal best of 2:10 and has notched top-10 finishes at the Olympic Trials Marathon, TCS NYC Marathon, and Chicago Marathon.
Anthony W. Arroyo, JO’21, recently opened his first solo art center exhibition at the Oskaloosa Art Center, showcasing four collections of his photography. The exhibit explores themes of identity, community, and culture, drawing from Arroyo’s experiences as a Des Moines native and his travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, where his father was born. A commercial photographer by trade, Arroyo has worked with brands like Raygun, Hy-Vee, and the National Pork Board, but says his personal projects—like documenting Des Moines’ taco trucks and highlighting everyday life in his neighborhood—are what fuel his passion.
Former Drake Women’s Basketball standout Grace Berg, BN’22, MA’24, has been named International Player of the Year by The League, Mongolia’s premier professional basketball league. Berg also helped lead her team, the Ulaanbaatar Amazons, to victory in the 2024-25 championship, securing the title in a best-of-five series.
Dwana M. Bradley, MST’08, EdS’11, MSE’14, celebrated the 10th anniversary of her magazine, The Des Moines Urban Experience, in January 2025. She serves as executive director of the publication and owns Iowa Urban Media, using both platforms to highlight stories that uplift and inspire the community.
Nine Bulldogs Earn Forty Under 40 Honors
Each year, the Des Moines Business Record recognizes 40 local business leaders who have demonstrated impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement.
The Class of 2024 honorees with Drake affiliations are as follows:
- Emily M. (Raecker) Adreon, BN’15, MBA’18, assistant director, customer experience, Principal Financial Group
- Spencer S. Cady, BN’09, JD’13, shareholder and attorney, Nyemaster Goode PC
- Tom J. Florian, BN’14, MBA’16, vice president of membership and strategic marketing, West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
- Becky L. (Hosier) Hammond, BN’10, vice president – client service leader, employee benefits and shareholder, Holmes Murphy
- Rajee C. Harris, BN’10, JD’13, MBA’13, chief operating officer, real estate operating company investments, Principal Real Estate
- Krystal R. (Campbell) Mikkilineni, JD’13, shareholder, Dentons Davis Brown
- Jessie H. Phillips, MPA’17, chief development officer, Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa
- Becky E. Reif, JD’13, attorney, Ahlers & Cooney PC
- Daniel J. Van Sant, AS’11, director of disability policy, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement