PRESIDENT | CONSULTANT

Ann's mission is to help clients meet their communications goals in results-driven environments. She has more than 25 years of experience in strategic corporate and executive communications, media relations, issues management, crisis communications, stakeholder communications and event planning. Highly attuned to understanding the diverse needs of all stakeholders, Ann excels at creating and delivering effective strategies that position projects for success. She is a frequent speaker on crisis communications.

Before forming Thelen Public Relations, Ann worked for more than a decade in the energy and utilities industry. She was the primary spokesperson and chief media strategist with state and national media for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives and Berkshire Hathaway Energy (formerly known as MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company) and its two subsidiaries, MidAmerican Energy Company and MidAmerican Renewables. Ann is a pro when it comes to working with the media and is skilled at creating effective messages.

As the communications director for MidAmerican’s global businesses, she ensured clear, concise and unified messaging to internal and external audiences. She had oversight for all communications to MidAmerican's diverse employee base. In addition, she led cross-functional communications teams to support these businesses and effectively promote and position them as industry leaders in the global market. Her recent accomplishments include developing integrated communications strategies to support MidAmerican Renewables’ construction of the world’s largest solar generating facility, located in central California.

During her career, Ann has worked with a diverse client base including: Athene Holding, Live Healthy Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Association of Business and Industry, Iowa Food & Family Project, Iowa Soybean Association, John Deere Financial, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, UnityPoint Health, Minneapolis Heart Institute, Hy-Line International, Polk County Health Services, Iowa Public Transit Association, Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa, WorldWide Connect, Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, and leading insurance, financial services, agricultural and technology organizations in Iowa, just to name a few.

She was the editor of Iowa Commerce magazine, which for decades was the state's premiere resource for business and industry news, and its companion City Spotlight magazines. In that role, she worked closely with cities, chambers of commerce, associations, and economic development groups across Iowa to promote Iowa’s thriving business climate.

Ann is a graduate of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and has received numerous awards recognizing her strategic communications skills. She is a graduate of the Association of Business and Industry’s Leadership Iowa program.