CREW Iowa June 2025 Luncheon: Data Center Panel

Join us for a CREW panel that showcases talent and experience of leaders working across different aspects of the data center space. The data center industry continues to experience explosive demand growth driven by expanding use of technology and structural shifts in how data is consumed. Data center investing requires a high degree of specialization to source, build and lease the properties. For most investors, a strategy investment with an experienced provider is likely the most viable way to enter the data center market today, given that a single facility can cost upwards of a billion dollars. Please feel free to submit any specific questions you have for panel members in advance during registration or by emailing them to us at crewiowa@crewiowa.org.

PANELIST BIO's:

Jackie Nickolaus

Land Development/Permitting Program Manager, Microsoft

Jackie Nickolaus is a land development manager at Microsoft, a position she has held for just over a year. Prior to jumping into the data center world, Jackie's career was focused on large-scale urban development and multi-family housing. She has worked in the public and private development sectors, for start-up real estate firms, a family-owned development company, and now for a global giant. Jackie has an undergraduate degree in political science and international business from the University of Iowa and a master's degree in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. An empty nester, Jackie and her husband enjoy car rides and travel.

Jennifer Moseley

Engineer, Turner Construction

Jennifer Moseley is an engineer at Turner Construction and a registered interior designer with the State of Iowa. With 36 years of experience in the design and construction industry, Jennifer has specialized in healthcare projects, including work at Unity Point Methodist West, Methodist downtown Des Moines, Iowa Lutheran, Broadlawns Medical Center, and Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Her portfolio also includes higher education projects at the University of Iowa, such as Baum and Burge Resident Hall renovations, and the Des Moines Area Community College Culinary Institute. Additionally, she has contributed to commercial projects like the Cedar Rapids Community School District Administration Building. Jennifer was working on a data center project for three years until March and is currently working on a training facility at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jennifer Brown

Economic Development Director, City of Waukee

Jennifer Brown serves as the Economic Development Director for the City of Waukee, Iowa, and is the current President of the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance. Bringing more than 23 years of experience in economic development across urban, rural, and suburban settings, she drives strategic initiatives focused on business attraction, retention, and expansion. Her efforts have played a key role in supporting job creation, enhancing quality of life, and guiding Waukee through a period of rapid growth. Jennifer is also responsible for administering a range of development incentives, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) rebates and downtown improvement grants, all aimed at fostering long-term investment and economic vitality.

Raelyn Wharton

Associate Director of Private Markets Product Development, Principal Asset Management

Raelyn is an Associate Director of Private Markets Product Development at Principal Asset Management. Raelyn is responsible for launching new private products globally from initial ideation through key growth milestones. Her product experience spans across various property sectors and risk profiles, with a particular focus on closed-end products targeting institutional investors. Raelyn’s most recent product launches are focused on the dynamic and growing data center sector. She has also supported the development of open-ended products as well as products targeting the wealth channel. Raelyn joined Principal in 2018 and prior to her current role spent three years leading the real estate product support team. She received a master's degree in real estate development from Iowa State University and a bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Northern Iowa.

Thank you to CREW Iowa 2025 Diamond Sponsor US Bank!