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 Health category:
Jennifer DeWitt
Editor
Quad Cities Regional Business Journal
JORDAN VOIGT
PRESIDENT, EASTERN DIVISION, MERCYONE, DAVENPORT
Jordan Voigt joined Genesis in 2011 when he served as administrative fellow to Genesis Health System president and CEO.
Following completion of his Fellowship in 2012, he was named executive director of Clinical Operations and Programs for Genesis Medical Center – Davenport. In May 2013, he was named administrator of GMC-West Central Park, which expanded to the position of administrator at GMC-Davenport.
In 2014, he was named president of GMC-Davenport, Genesis Health System’s largest entity with campuses at East Rusholme Street and West Central Park.
In early 2023, Genesis Health System joined MercyOne, Iowa’s largest health system. In his current role, Voigt oversees multiple acute care facilities within Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois.
He has a BA in political science and business administration from Augustana College. He has an MS in healthcare administration, with a Certificate in Health Care Financial Management, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He and his wife Jessica live in Bettendorf with their three children (Caroline, Madelyn, and Henry).
FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN QC: The Quad Cities offers a great quality of life and family orientated community.
BEST CAREER ADVICE: Maintain grit and discipline. Grit is defined as maintaining the passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals, even in the face of adversity. Discipline is to do what you’re supposed to do when you’re supposed to do it, the way it’s supposed to be done. Maintaining grit and discipline can be the two most single impactful characteristics for team members to be successful.
FAVORITE PART OF BEING A LEADER: Everyday I drive to work I think about all the MercyOne Genesis team members from environmental service employees, to nurses, to ancillary team members, and physicians that contribute to the mission of our organization and what can I do today to try and make their day better.
COLLEEN RAFFERTY
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, TRINITY HEALTH FOUNDATION, ROCK ISLAND
Colleen Rafferty joined Trinity Health Foundation in 2018 as associate director of development and was promoted to director of development in 2021. Prior to that, she led the Women’s Connection, a QC non-profit dedicated to empowering women; served as corporate communications manager for Genesis Health System; and worked 10 years as a healthcare marketing consultant.
She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Quad Cities Planned Giving Council. She is past chair of both UnityPoint Health – Trinity Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health Board and the Mission Effectiveness Committee of UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Health System Board.
Her community service includes being on the board of directors for Moline Public Library and Rock Island Rotary.
Rafferty received a BA in journalism and art from the University of Iowa.
She and her husband, Kevin, live in Rock Island and are the proud parents of four grown children and two granddaughters.
FAVORITE PART ABOUT LIVING IN QC: I love the Quad Cities because we have many of the opportunities and amenities you’d expect to find in a larger city, but with a small-town feel. I also love the diversity in our region and the ability to get to know, work with, and befriend people of different ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds.
FAVORITE PLACE IN QC: Black Hawk State Park in Rock Island. We enjoy hiking the trails there, especially in the fall when the trees are spectacular.
BEST CAREER ADVICE: “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” My dad gave this advice to me and my brothers and sisters, and it’s always stuck with me. It reminds me to give everything I do my very best effort, no matter how big or small the task.
DREAM JOB AS KID: Become an archeologist.
BEAU DEXTER,
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS, MERCYONE MEDICAL GROUP, DAVENPORT
Beau Dexter assumed the role of vice president in April 2023. Prior to that he was executive director of Genesis Health Group and responsible for providing overall vision, direction and leadership for practice operations and services of the region’s largest network of multi-specialty physicians. GHG has nearly 700 employees, more than 40 clinic in Iowa and Illinois and eight ancillary service locations within or near clinics.
Before taking on this role, he served as director of Primary Care-Ambulatory Operations. In his roles, he has provided leadership for primary care practices of 200-plus physicians, with oversight of Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Convenient Care, Pediatrics and the Family Medicine Residency Program. During the pandemic, he led and implemented the COVID-19 response initiatives.
He began his career with Genesis in 2005 as a student employee with the grounds department. Starting in 2010 and over the next decade, he held positions in human resources as an HR assistant, HR coordinator, HR director of operations and services, and HR director of ambulatory services.
Dexter, of Eldridge, earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA degree from St. Ambrose University, Davenport. He also is a graduate of the American Hospital Association’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship.
MELINDA ‘MISSY’ GOWEY
CEO, BETTER HEALTH FOUNDATION, DAVENPORT
Melinda “Missy” Gowey, CEO of the Better Health Foundation, has called the Quad Cities home since 1984. A native of Des Moines, she graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in journalism and mass communication.
She has dedicated most of her career to serving nonprofit organizations, including Junior Achievement of the Heartland, Palmer College of Chiropractic, WQPT Public Television, and the Genesis Foundation and Genesis Philanthropy.
Her previous volunteer efforts have included Alternatives for the Older Adult, United Way Quad Cities, Junior Achievement, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and co-hosting the weekly radio show Genesis Today.
Gowey and her husband, Greg, a local architect, will be married 40 years in 2025. They live in Davenport.
FAVORITE PART OF LIVING IN QC: It’s the total package – a wonderful place to raise a family, to build lasting personal and professional relationships, and to engage in meaningful work and volunteer activities.
BIGGEST MENTOR: The late Jim Victor, who served on the Genesis Foundation Board of Directors and was the first chair of the Genesis Philanthropy Board of Directors – the predecessor organization to the Better Health Foundation. He was a board member or volunteer with nearly every organization for which I worked, so I relied on his sound wisdom and support throughout my career.
PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT: Working alongside the dedicated campaign volunteers to raise the funds needed to build the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House was very gratifying.
BEST CAREER ADVICE: Keep interviewing for the job you have by bringing your best self to work each day.
DREAM JOB AS A KID: I grew up watching the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” so I envisioned myself moving to Minneapolis to work in television news.
