Nana Coleman
Chief product officer, RainyDayPal
Age: 31
Wife: Jamesetta Mator
Children: Two nephews, James and Jonathan
Accomplishments that make you deserving of being a Forty Under 40:
Served as a thought leader and innovator on access and equity in the development of financial products, specifically insurance.
Led the development of the first directed remittance marketplace platform focused on cross-border health care access.
Driven a number of initiatives through various organizations that have provided exposure and professional development experiences for students from minoritized backgrounds to business and STEM-oriented careers.
Contributed to the diversity of the local arts scene as a co-founder of Pyramid Theatre Co., Des Moines’ first black theater company.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
Developing solutions that allow all people to address the uncertainty in their lives in a dignified manner, appropriate for the context of their lives. A paradox of insurance is that those who would benefit most on a marginal basis from its fundamental promise often have the most difficulty accessing it.
What are your goals in your role at work?
Launch Version 0 of RainyDayPal, bringing a low-cost solution to market that provides financial protection for the “Oh crap” moments that often trip folks up.
What are your goals in a role outside of work?
Get better at and be more patient in supporting my nephews.
Fully recover from my Achilles tendon injury.
Get more involved in ecosystem-development activities for small-business owners.
Tell us about an experience or memory that influenced how you see the world or what you want to do in life.
As a teenager, seeing a man seemingly suffering from mental illness be offered food in the middle of a road stoop to eat it with his mouth, as if he hadn't been cared for. It was the first time I thought deeply about how people, communities and systems can fail people.
What are your aspirations for the future?
Launch Version 0 of RainyDayPal. We're looking for employers that believe strongly in finding as many ways as possible to support their employees’ financial wellness.
Expand college credit programming at Pi515 through new partnerships with businesses and organizations in the community.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?
Focus on trying to gain something or learn something even from the things you don't like to do. You don't need to be an expert, but know that what you think you hate now could become an asset or differentiator for you in the future.
What is one thing you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
Cross-sector and multisector collaborations to enhance ecosystems around:
Resourcing business functions for small-business owners and emerging entrepreneurs that don't have much startup or operating capital, or what would traditionally be considered a “strong network.”
Remedial learning and supplemental engagement for students struggling in our school systems regardless of the cause, particularly where there are large gaps. The need is relatively high, and available resources are relatively low.
What's one fun fact about you?
I performed with the Des Moines Metro Opera in the 2014 production of “Dead Man Walking.”
Hobbies: Play(ed) Australian football, traveling with my wife, sharing a good meal or drink with family and friends.
One word that describes you: Conscientious.
What is your favorite local restaurant? HoQ or Lucca.
Name one book, podcast, movie or show you love. “Caspian Report” (YouTube) with Shirvan Neftchi (solid introduction to geopolitics for the casual consumer).
What is your go-to activity to do in Central Iowa in the evenings or during the weekend?
Festivals in the summertime, or hanging out with friends at some of my favorite local cocktail lounges.