Ian Zahren of Lansing honored as a Rising Star Under 40 at annual reception held in La Crosse, WI
Celebrating a Rising Star ... Ian Zahren, Vocal Music Director at Kee High School and Chairperson of Lansing RAGBRAI 2022 this past summer, was among the 28 individuals from the tri-state area named a Rising Star Under 40 by 7 Rivers Alliance and River Valley Media Group. Pictured above at the October 19 reception at the La Crosse Event Center where Zahren was recognized for his “Rising Star” achievements are, left to right, Maryann Baldwin, Ellen Modersohn, Andrew Boddicker, Ian Zahren and Val Reinke, all members of the Lansing RAGBRAI Committee. Submitted photo.
The 7 Rivers Alliance and River Valley Media Group recognized their Rising Stars Under 40 at an annual reception Wednesday, October 19 at the La Crescent Event Center in La Crosse, WI. The 7 Rivers Alliance - a regional economic development group - sought nominations from throughout the region for young men and women who are making a difference. This year 28 recipients from three states were selected.
“The stories of these exceptional people are inspiring and show how fortunate we are to have them living and working in our communities,” said Chris Hardie, CEO of the 7 Rivers Alliance. “They are true leaders in their workplaces and communities.”
One of the winners was Ian Zahren of Lansing, who grew up in rural Iowa and relocated to the east coast, where he pursued a career in acting and stage. But he knew his heart was in the Midwest.
Two years ago he came to Lansing as a teacher but his impact extends far beyond the classroom. Zahren is involved with various Main Street Lansing events and some of his students restarted the Farmers Market this year.
Zahren was the executive director of Lansing’s RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Big Ride Across Iowa) 2022 event that had 15,000 cyclists coming to town this past July. His efforts resulted in $115,000 in profits that will be available to community nonprofits.
Zahren volunteers his musical and theatrical skills at annual fundraising events for the Lansing Women’s in Business Group and serves as the faculty sponsor for the student-led Inclusivity Club at Kee High School in Lansing, which aims to educate staff and faculty about LGBTQ+ issues and promote diversity within the school.
Zahren said as a teacher he tries to equip his students with critical thinking and leadership skills they will use as leaders themselves in the future. “A leader is not defined by their status or their job, but rather by the acts that they do to serve others,” he says.
His advice for younger leaders? “Be brave. Dream big. I believe that almost anything is possible. With conviction and grit you can and will accomplish a great deal,” he shared.
“Selecting winners from all of the outstanding nominations is not an easy task - everyone nominated clearly makes a difference in their community,” Hardie said. “These are men and women in our region whose endeavors enrich our lives and raise the bar for all of us.”
