Iowa

With a strong and growing coalition in Iowa, the USGLC works to educate and engage policymakers and community leaders on why investments in development and diplomacy help keep America safe and strengthen Iowa’s economy.

The USGLC’s Iowa Advisory Committee brings together more than 100 business, faith, non-profit, and political leaders who understand how American global leadership matters for Iowa. We’re also proud of Iowa’s Veterans for Smart Power – part of a nationwide network of 30,000 veterans.

  • “I am a very strong advocate of the foreign affairs budget… It means me or my children not having to deploy to a conflict zone.”

    Bernie Stone

    President, Strategic Scouts Consulting

  • Foreign aid is a powerful demonstration of America’s leadership in the world.

    Kurt Meyer

    Meyer Consulting

Top Facts

In 2023, Iowa exported
$18.4 billion
in goods to foreign markets.

In Iowa,
379,400 jobs (18.10%)
are supported by trade.

From 2022-2023,
8,261 international students
were enrolled in Iowa colleges and universities.

Download Iowa Fact Sheet

Advisory Committee

Hon. Tom Harkin
U.S. Senate (1985 - 2015)
Amb. Terry Branstad
12th Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (2017-2020) and Governor of Iowa (2011-2017, 1983-1999)

Stories from Iowa

What They’re Saying in the Heartland: COP27 and America’s Global Climate Leadership

By Jack Berson Rose Leonard on November 16, 2022 in

Iowa
Read More

U.S. Heartland Global Leadership Day

By Nezar Jamal on September 12, 2022 in

Iowa
Read More

Heartland Mayors Issue Proclamation for U.S. Heartland Global Leadership Day

By Alex Grant on September 29, 2021 in

Iowa
Read More

News & Press Related to Iowa

June 30, 2023

USGLC Convenes Senator Joni Ernst, Representatives Debbie Dingell and Haley Stevens, Mayor Bob Scott, Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch, Fmr. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, Cargill’s Michael Wagner, Google’s Marcus Jadotte, and others at the 2023 Heartland Summit

Iowa

May 19, 2021

Virtual Roundtable Recap: Global Partnerships, Local Impact in Cedar Rapids, IA

Iowa

January 22, 2021

USGLC Launches Next Gen Global Leaders Network and Welcomes Nearly 100 Young Professionals to the 2021 Inaugural Class

Iowa

January 30, 2019

Veteran’s View: Don’t Pit Border Security Against Diplomacy, Foreign Aid

Iowa

September 18, 2018

Iowa Veteran: It Takes More Than Our Military to Keep America Safe and Strong

Iowa

June 16, 2018

Dubuque Mayor to Travel to D.C. for ‘State Leaders Summit’

Iowa

Past Events

America’s Global Leadership: Growing Opportunity for Iowa

July 24, 2024 12:00 pm CT

Featured Speaker

Katie Garcia

U.S. Agency for International Development

Featured Speaker

Secretary Paul Pate

Farmers For Prosperity Invite-Only Roundtable in Cedar Rapids

December 13, 2023 12:00 pm CT

Featured Speaker

Mike Naig

Heartland Summit 2023 – Virtual

June 29, 2023 9:00 am ET

Featured Speaker

Senator Joni Ernst

(R-IA)

Featured Speaker

Michael Wagner

Cargill

Featured Speaker

The Honorable Dan Glickman

Featured Speaker

Mayor Bob Scott

Featured Speaker

Representative Haley Stevens

Featured Speaker

Representative Debbie Dingell

Featured Speaker

Representative Shri Thanedar

Featured Speaker

Marcus Jadotte

Google

Heartland Summit 2023 – Sioux City, IA

June 29, 2023 8:00 am CT

Featured Speaker

Senator Joni Ernst

(R-IA)

Featured Speaker

Michael Wagner

Cargill

Featured Speaker

The Honorable Dan Glickman

Featured Speaker

Mayor Bob Scott

Get in touch with us!

Eric Moorer

Director, Heartland Region

Email Eric Moorer Email Our Veteran Team