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Nine Corridor women honored on ‘40 Women to Watch’ list by Iowa Restaurant Association
Sep. 25, 2025 5:30 am
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DES MOINES — It’s a big year for Corridor hospitality leadership.
The Iowa Restaurant Association has named nine Corridor women to its annual “40 Women to Watch” list honoring those who have made an impact on Iowa’s restaurant and hospitality industry.
This year’s number of honorees from Linn, Johnson and Washington counties far surpassed the number who landed the list in recent years, making up a quarter of those honored for 2025. The honor celebrating women’s contributions to Iowa hospitality, started in 2019, has become a showcase of opportunities available to women in the industry.
Owner Alex Smith cooks down a large amount of onions for a dish at The Plated Table in Iowa City, Iowa on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Smith was one of 10 women from the Corridor named to the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2025 “40 Women to Watch” list. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
Ande Long, catering sales manager at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Diana Giles, general manager as well as food and beverage director at Walker Homestead Farm & Winery in Iowa City, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Heather Thompson, general manager of B-Bop’s in Cedar Rapids, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Jacqueline Milian, owner of Mammitas Coffee in Iowa City, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Kaitlyn Koranda, operations manager at The Fun Station Adventure Park in Cedar Rapids, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Mandy McCrary, senior transportation manager at US Foods in Coralville, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Shannon Arnold, director of Events at Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Whitney Linville, founder of redhead media in North Liberty, was named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's "40 Women to Watch" honors for 2025. (Iowa Restaurant Association)
Local honorees include:
- Alex Smith, owner of Plated Table in Iowa City.
- Ande Long, catering sales manager at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids.
- Diana Giles, general manager and food and beverage director at Walker Homestead Farm & Winery in Iowa City.
- Heather Thompson, general manager of B-Bop’s in Cedar Rapids.
- Jacqueline Milian, owner of Mammitas Coffee in Iowa City.
- Kaitlyn Koranda, operations manager at The Fun Station Adventure Park in Cedar Rapids.
- Mandy McCrary, senior transportation manager at US Foods in Coralville.
- Megan Libe, owner of Libations on Iowa in Washington.
- Shannon Arnold, director of Events at Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center.
- Whitney Linville, founder of redhead media in North Liberty.
“From small towns to statewide programs, these honorees show what’s possible in hospitality,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “Each has found her own way to make a difference for customers, staff or community.”
More than 70,000 Iowa women are working in the food, beverage, hospitality and leisure industries.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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