When you join a Forum Group, you are connected into an exclusive group of 12 to 15 Business Leaders from non-competing industries that meet one morning a month, skillfully guided by a Forum Leader that meticulously follows REF's exclusive methodology, each meeting is a journey from which you will emerge changed for the better.
Members have a clear objective: to unleash the group's Collective Intelligence to make better strategic decisions, to reach their next business, professional and personal goals, and receive the support of their peers in an environment of absolute confidentiality.
REF functions as a hub for Business Leaders. The Community extends beyond the Forum Group, as it connects you to over 2,500+ Entrepreneurs, Members, Forum Leaders, Partners, Ambassadors and Global Speakers with whom you can share best practices, connect and access opportunities in other markets.
Our Team in REF Iowa
We believe evolved and connected leaders are a positive force in the world. Forum Leaders are like alchemists, because they combine different profiles and experiences, which in the right proportions, generate Collective Intelligence and extraordinary results. The Forum Leader is responsible for creating a culture of openness, commitment and confidentiality. They will catalyze the collective intelligence of the group, foster meaningful relationships among members, and establish an environment of trust and confidentiality.
Mike Kleis - Partner & Forum Leader
Leads Top Executives & Key Executives
I’m a seasoned business leader and advisor with more than 35 years of broad business experience in Leadership Development, Strategy Development, Business Planning, Marketing, Sales/Distribution Management, Process Improvement, as well as Customer Service, Operations, and Product Development/Management. I’m known for my strategic approach and ability to connect the dots between business plans and results, I’ve worked closely, over the past 20 years, advising more than 100 independent businesses ranging in size from $1M to $100M in annual sales.
The Iowa CEO Summit ®
The Iowa CEO Summit presented by REF Iowa is the state of Iowa's only gathering created just for CEOs, Presidents and business owners of Iowa companies. This unique event offers an opportunity to learn from thought-leaders and connect with other talented top executives running some of the most successful organizations in Iowa.
Our Memberships
We are aware that there is always a next level and we accompany leaders according to their professional path and life cycle, offering them a proven methodology to achieve their goals and design an extraordinary life.
ApplyTop Executives
Our Top Executive program is exclusively for CEOs, Presidents, Founders, Business Owners, and General Managers. A membership for those who champion their companies and change industries.
Requirements:
- CEO or senior executive experience.
- A benchmark track record of success, respect and influence among their leadership community, reputable, and trustworthy.
- A champion for their own success and that of their peers.
- Eager to face life’s challenges more empowered, supported, and open to fresh perspectives.
- Highly Diverse Industries
Qualifying Company Criteria:
- SMB: 5 - 30M US$ in revenue
- Corporate: 30 - 300M US$ in revenue
- Large Corporations: >300M US$ in revenue
Key Executives
Our program for Key Executives is for key executives in their companies that are strong leaders but want to become more empowered in their roles, challenge the boundaries of their industry and always seek to be someone that enriches the team to which they belong.
Requirements:
- Individuals that report directly to the CEO and play a key role in the executive team.
- 15 Years of business leadership experience that makes them a benchmark of business in their community.
- Eager to push the frontier of what’s possible in their industry and grow as a leader while helping others as well.
Qualifying Company Criteria:
- Corporate: 30 - 300M US$ in revenue
- Large Corporations: >300M US$ in revenue
Entrepreneurs
A membership for managing founders or owners of businesses that disrupt industries, set trends and have a sharp eye for recognizing and seizing opportunity. An optimist and an innovator with a double-digit growth vision, we believe you will continue to thrive at your place among other top-tier entrepreneurs.
Requirements:
- Someone who has built up at least one successful venture and whose life experiences have taken them on extraordinary projects.
- A visionary willing to recognize value in opportunities and seize them.
- One who sees the value in a support network of other innovators that push and encourage you.
Qualifying Company Criteria:
- Sales $1M+ or $1M+ in privately raised funds
- >5 employees
Member Testimonials
Having the opportunity to share my wrestles, my story and my vulnerabilities with other business leaders has been a great value add to me as a business owner.
To join a Forum Group, was a no-brainer for me, I surround myself with successful people that can give me different angles, cheer me on, and give me advice on crucial business decisions.
I found a group of individuals that were going through similar situations and can provide valuable insight to help me navigate my biggest business challenges.
I would highly recommend the CEO peer group. It’s a great opportunity to learn from peers and build a trusted network of support, outside your own four walls, that you can always count on.
Ready To reach the next level?
Let’s have a conversation at REF Iowa
FAQ
What is REF?
Renaissance Executive Forums is a global organization, founded in the USA 30 years ago. Its members are company CEOs and Presidents, by invitation only, who are assigned to Groups of 12 from non-competing businesses.
The Organization is in the process of expansion and we are looking for Partners, Forum Leaders, Members, Ambassadors and Global Speakers. Each of these roles involves different profiles, time commitments, compensation packages and benefits.
What is a Forum Group?
An exclusive group of 12 to 15 Business Leaders from non-competing industries that meet one morning a month, skillfully guided by a Forum Leader. Members of a Group meet confidentially, once a month to help each other make better decisions to reach their business and personal goals.
Basically, Group members present their most pressing challenges in an environment of full transparency, and the others tell them what they would do if they were in their shoes. The Group not only becomes a high-caliber advisory board, but also a Circle of Trust, where you share your professional and personal best practices, forge deep relationships, and feel comfortable showing who you are.
What to expect from your Forum Group?
Meetings are tailored to each group’s composition and needs. The Forum’s structure is divided into 3 segments.
- In the first segment, called the Educational Component, a guest expert discusses a relevant topic of interest to the group.
- In the second segment called the Round Table, we open up a space for reflection and planning.
- Finally, in the third segment, called the Case, one or two members present their major challenges so the other group members can advise them on what they would do in their situation (shoes/place).
What is REF Value Proposition - KEY Differentiation
REF provides a unique space where members gain clarity to make their most important and challenging business, professional and personal decisions.
- Selective trust-based Forum Groups made up of top-tier business leaders (by invitation only)
- Forum Groups led by Forum leaders with business experience.
- Case method.
- Holistic approach: Personal, professional, and business growth.
- Continuous education through leading professionals.
- Introspection, reflection, and planning.
What does evolution mean?
At REF we define evolution as "awareness and alignment". Awareness of the knowledge and major trends that every Business Leader must be conscious of in order to align their vision, strategy, and execution.
Our purpose is to accelerate the personal, professional, and business evolution of Business Leaders to become a positive force in the world.
Is it a networking group?
REF is not just another networking event that barely scratches the surface. Our Value Proposition creates robust structures that dig deep and form trust-based meaningful relationships.
By being part of a Forum Group, members can bring their biggest challenges and dilemmas to address with their Group's Collective Intelligence. This Collective Intelligence is composed of diverse experiences and backgrounds of other proven Leaders, who will grant each other their undivided attention. They do not have any conflict of interest, and have only their peers' best interest in mind.