Ben Keenan

Human Resources, Principal
Realtor, Coldwell Banker

Age: 34

Partner: Kenzie Keenan

Children: Beckett, Brooks, Brendon and Kylie

Mentor: Denny Bole, executive coach

Why he’s a Forty: He was a mentor for eight years for Everybody Wins! Iowa and a book buddy for United Way. He was chair for the Central Iowa March of Dimes Market Board and he and his wife served as the Ambassador Family in 2017. He is a “shepherd” for Vacation Bible School and PowerLife leader and facilitator for “Men’s League” and the “O-Line,” two men’s studies to help men work on becoming better leaders and “sharpen one another.”

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

My goals are built around listening, educating and consulting with business partners during complex life and business decisions. Whether it’s buying a home, leading a workshop or working on organizational design, my goal is to help others get from where they are to where they want to be.

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

Continue to advocate, fundraise and fight for the health of moms and babies. The March of Dimes is an organization we’ve invested in because of the support and assistance the organization gave to us and families who have newborns born prematurely or with preexisting conditions. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

Coaching and leadership … and Bell’s Hopslam. I’m energized by the way people think and communicate differently and am always assessing a situation to try and help it meet its full potential. Hopslam is the best beer ever. 

What is it that drives you? 

Our twins were born at 28 weeks. The love, care and support we received from the community swelled up within us to the point we wanted to give back. And the importance (and fragility) of time was ingrained in us during our NICU stay. 

What are your future aspirations?

I want others to remember how I made them feel, not what I said. I want to get better at building kingdoms, not castles. Our church has this bold vision to be a 50/50 church, where 50% of all giving is directed back out to help the community. Eventually I’d like to make my communication business, Brightside Communication, a 50/50 business.

Three hobbies: I love coaching my kids’ sports teams (even when they’re not interested in the actual game). I have a shoe buying problem. And my wife says I act like Phil Dunphy.

Fun fact: I would use my PTO to work a second job facilitating leadership and coaching workshops with Esposito Communications. I enjoyed it so much I eventually started my own coaching and communication business. 

ONE word: Zeal.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

Do something kind for strangers. After the year we’ve had, it's heartwarming to see that hope is just as contagious as fear. 

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? 

My wife is really the one that deserves an award. Maybe we could start a new recognition called "the people behind it all" so I can nominate her for taking care of everything else to allow us to be able to contribute to the organizations we did, above.