Join Greater Iowa City, Inc. and the University of Iowa's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center for our next Entrepreneurial Lunch!
In this panel, sports industry professionals share how they turn high-stakes situations into winning outcomes for themselves and their teams. You’ll learn practical strategies for making decisions under stress, staying focused when challenges arise, and turning competition into actionable opportunities. Walk away with techniques you can use to handle pressure and take decisive action when it matters most.
Moderator:
John Staak: Assistant Professor of Practice, Marketing and Athletics Analytics Consultant at the University of Iowa
John Staak is an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, specializing in sports marketing and marketing analytics. His background includes analytics roles with Casey’s, Learfield, and Iowa Athletics, along with experience in digital marketing account management. He brings an applied, experiential approach to the classroom, helping students develop practical skills through real-world projects and data-driven decision-making.
Panelists:
Carson Lane: Founder of Stridelane
Carson Lane is the founder and CEO of Stridelane, an LED pacing light system for track runners. He is a Business Analytics and Information Systems student at the University of Iowa and a member of the track & field team as a middle-distance runner. Carson is passionate about innovation at the intersection of sports, technology, and data.
Dan Matheson, J.D.: Professor of Instruction, Sport and Recreation Management Program Director, and Adjunct College of Law Faculty Member at the University of Iowa
Dan Matheson is the Director of the Sport and Recreation Management program at the University of Iowa and an adjunct faculty member in the College of Law. He previously worked as an NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement and as Director of Baseball Operations for the New York Yankees. He teaches courses in Sports Law, Baseball Salary Arbitration, and the NCAA Infractions Process, and coaches University of Iowa College of Law teams in national baseball arbitration and NCAA infractions competitions.
Jayne Oswald: Vice President of Events and Engagement at The Swarm Collective, Inc
Jayne Oswald is the Vice President of Events and Engagement at The Swarm Collective, where she oversees operations, donor relations, and event strategy. She leads the planning and execution of member and donor experiences while managing partnerships and student-athlete engagements. Jayne brings over a decade of experience in athletics-related events, including previous leadership roles with the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
This event is free, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
