The Quad Cities Regional Business Journal is proud to share some of the profiles found in our second annual Regional Leaders, published in January. This special publication recognizes 150 business and community leaders who we consider to be among the most noteworthy and impactful across the bistate region.
Recently, the QCBJ held a reception for these leaders and now we will be highlighting their profiles in our newsletters a few at a time. You can still purchase a copy of the glossy, full-color print edition here.
The QCBJ team identified those we believe are leaving their mark on the Quad Cities through their careers, mentorship or philanthropy. We recognize, however, that it is not an inclusive list and urge readers to reach out to us for suggestions for 2026.
The profiles are excerpts from surveys the Regional Leaders completed and/or biographies compiled from information our reporters gathered from company websites, LinkedIn profiles and other accounts. Today’s collection come from the Financial/Insurance category:
Jennifer DeWitt
Editor
Quad Cities Regional Business Journal
DOUG WEIR
PRESIDENT, BETTENDORF FINANCIAL GROUP
Doug Weir has been in the financial services business since 1983 when he sold his first life insurance policy.
“Working in the industry for 40 years, I have developed a passion for enhancing the financial health of my clients,” he said in a profile on his company website.
Weir launched Bettendorf Financial Group in 1998 as an independent firm where he could put quality of service as one of his top priorities.
He is a graduate of Davenport West High School and the American College of Financial Services with the professional designation of Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant.
“I am proud that I have been able to serve my clients well, and many of my clients have been with me for more than 40 years,” he added.
Weir and his wife, Sheila, live in Bettendorf and have two grown sons. The Weirs enjoy traveling in a motorhome, spending time in Colorado and are lifelong dog lovers.
ZARIFA REYNOLDS
CEO & PRESIDENT, ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA, ROCK ISLAND
Zarifa Reynolds is a mission-driven, transformational executive with a record of team building, talent development and developing and executing strategies to profitably grow businesses. Prior to joining Royal Neighbors, she was an executive at Guardian Life Insurance Company, where she was responsible for leading a national sales, account management and underwriting team focused on supporting small businesses.
Before joining Guardian, Reynolds was head of Corporate Development at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. At TIAA, she worked on more than $10 billion in acquisition transactions and $6 billion in financing transactions. She previously was a partner at Greenberg Traurig, an international law firm. She began her law career at Shearman & Sterling in New York City.
Born in Miami, Florida, she received her BA in political science from Brown University and her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE QC: I am only in the Quad Cities part-time and I love the connectivity among the four towns that comprise the Quad Cities and the high level of civic engagement in the communities.
BIGGEST MENTOR/ROLE MODEL: There’s no one person, but I admire women who support families and communities. Their tireless work has a huge positive impact on our society.
DREAM JOB AS A KID: Supreme Court justice. As I admired Thurgood Marshall and the impact that he had on the educational opportunities that were provided to me.
RESOLUTIONS KEPT: To try to live by the four agreements – 1, be impeccable with your word; 2, don’t take anything personally; 3, don’t make assumptions; and 4, always do your best.
FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LEADER: To work with amazing people who are committed to the mission of Royal Neighbors, which is to insure lives, support women and serve communities.
ALEEZA SINGH
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, SINGH GROUP AT MERRILL LYNCH WEALTH MANAGEMENT, DAVENPORT
Aleeza Singh joined the Singh Group at Merrill in 2007. She now serves as senior vice president and senior financial advisor.
“My role on the team is that of a relationship-builder and wealth planner. By listening to each client’s unique set of skills, challenges, and strengths I am able to help them realize their full financial potential,” she said on the firm’s website. “With my assistance, clients are able to better articulate, prioritize, and act on their life goals. Together, we periodically track progress and analyze potential outcomes. I work hand-in-hand with clients, their families, accountants, attorneys, and other key financial players to help ensure that all parties are working toward the needs and desires set by the clients.”
Not only dedicated to clients, Singh is a leader in the firm, having served on the Next Generation Advisory Board and as vice president of the Midland Chapter of the Women’s Exchange and on the Council of Technology.
Singh earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.
In the community, she is a mentor with Lead(H)er Quad Cities and served on the Quad Cities Chamber’s Q2030 Steering Committee and the Young Professional Think Tank. She was an active board member with Family Resources and currently serves as board president for the Figge Art Museum. She also served on the Augustana CORE Career Development Advisory Council and the University of Iowa Career Leadership Academy Alumni Advisory Board.
She was recognized in 2022 as one of the QCBJ’s inaugural Forty Under 40 honorees.
Singh has been married since October 2018 to her husband, Kyle. They live in Davenport with their young son.
AMY BEAUCHAMP,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/BRANCH MANAGER, MORGAN STANLEY, DAVENPORT
Amy Beauchamp is the executive director and branch manager for the Eastern Iowa branches at Morgan Stanley in Davenport and Cedar Rapids.
She moved to the Quad Cities in 2019, after spending over seven years in the Des Moines area. Prior to making Iowa her home, Beauchamp spent six years in Chicago, where she had joined the Central Division of what then was Smith Barney.
Prior to holding a number of leadership roles in management, she had spent several years as a financial advisor back in her family hometown in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Her time there was spent between Wells Fargo Investments, LLC, and her current firm, Morgan Stanley.
She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in finance and also holds a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.
Beauchamp and her significant other, Adam, have a daughter, Bella. She enjoys spending time on the water with family, friends and their four-legged English Lab, Hunter.
