Before the golf pros tee off for the 2026 John Deere Classic, the annual tournament will shine a spotlight on a different sport and superstar, Olympic hurdler Sarah Wells.
Ms. Wells, a 400m hurdler and Pan American silver medalist, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s JDC Executive Women’s Day on Tuesday, June 30. The Executive Women’s Day event, which kicks off tournament week at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, is open to everyone, regardless of gender.
The annual gathering will provide participants a valuable opportunity to expand networks, gain inspiration from accomplished leaders, and connect with other local leaders impacting the Quad Cities community.
This year marks the first time the JDC’s Birdies for Charity team and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois are joining forces to collaborate on the leadership event. Executive Women’s Day is presented by Quad City Bank & Trust (QCBT).
In 2025, the JDC and the Girl Scouts partnered to bring Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder to separate events for their two organizations. Ms. Bluder not only headlined Women’s Executive Day but also served as the keynote at a luncheon and fundraiser for the Girl Scouts.
Organizers said Ms. Wells and the upcoming Executive Women’s Day will offer an inspiring and energizing experience for all professionals across all industries. Hosted in the JDC hospitality suites at Deere Run, the event will focus on offering participants connection, learning, and growth.
The JDC and Girl Scouts said Ms. Wells will bring her contagious energy to the stage while sharing her message of excellence and practical strategies.
Presenting sponsor
“Quad City Bank & Trust is honored and excited to host Executive Women’s Day again this year,” QCBT President and CEO Laura “Divot” Ekizian said in a news release Friday, May 22, announcing Ms. Wells’ speaking engagement.
“Inspiring a room full of changemakers to think about leadership and philanthropy in our community makes a difference and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Ms. Ekizian, a JDC board member and the tournament’s 2014 chair.
Founded in 1994 on the idea that relationships matter, QCBT is headquartered in Bettendorf and operates five banking locations across the Quad Cities. A subsidiary of QCR Holdings, Inc., in Moline, bank leaders broke ground a year ago on a new QCBT branch in Bettendorf along with a new headquarters.
In addition to her athletic career, Ms. Wells is a motivational keynote speaker. The Canadian Olympian strives to help organizations and individuals cultivate excellence and become inspirational leaders, her LinkedIn account says. Through the Believe Initiative, she has helped more than 120,000 students across North America understand the importance of being resilient and the power of believing in themselves. She has worked with companies such as Salesforce, Deloitte, Procter & Gamble, Kraft-Heinz, Bell Media and RBC.
Ms. Wells’ bio describes herself as Olympian, keynote speaker, excellence architect, Mom to Everleigh, and cookie connoisseur.
Focused on helping others overcome adversity, she has raced across deserts, mountains and international airports on The Amazing Race. Ms. Wells empowers audiences to find their own excellence, transform challenges into opportunities for growth, and achieve lasting success.
Her philosophy is that “excellence isn’t about perfections, it’s about breaking free from limiting beliefs and constantly striving to out perform who you were yesterday.”
If you go
This year’s Executive Women’s Day program also will feature engaging conversations on topics including leadership, philanthropy, and community impact. The program is designed for business leaders, aspiring professionals, or anyone who champions growth in the community. It is designed for anyone passionate about professional development and connecting with community leaders.
New this year, the event is offering two session options – a morning and afternoon experience – for added flexibility. All guests also will enjoy an exclusive, behind-the-scenes walking tour to experience the JDC and areas not typically accessible during tournament week. The tour, the JDC said, puts a fresh perspective on the world-class amenities of this premier professional sporting event.
Proceeds from Executive Women’s Day will benefit the Birdies for Charity Bonus Fund and Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. For tickets, visit here.
Since the Quad Cities tournament’s founding in 1971, it has raised more than $206 million for charity through its Birdies philanthropic arm.
