Jessie Shiels
The Visionary & Co-Founder
Jessie is originally from southwest Iowa, and was a transplant to the Atlantic community in late 2014 through her now husband’s job. A true Cyclone at heart, she attended Iowa State University double majoring in Marketing and Apparel Merchandising, Production, & Design. Professionally, she hails from a world of (mostly digital) marketing, with experience working in an ad agency, corporate marketing departments and at now a local financial company, TS Banking Group. After welcoming two amazing little boys into the world (and later the third!!), she finally felt it was time to activate a crazy dream and some other skillsets she had, which manifested into SHIFT ATL.
Mackenzie Bandow
The Seller & Co-Founder
Mackenzie grew up in Eddyville, Iowa, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Central College. Mackenzie and her husband, Zack, then spent many years living in Iowa City while he completed dental school at The University of Iowa. The decision to move to Cass county was an easy one, as the couple has always envisioned raising a family in a community like Atlantic.
Prior to life in Atlantic, Mackenzie worked as an insurance agent before transitioning to a career in pharmaceutical sales, specializing in women’s health. Currently, she is a full time mom to a pair of VERY energetic boys while playing a supporting role in Zack’s dental practice.
Shift ATL has created an opportunity for Mackenzie to work towards her lifelong goal of having a positive impact on the people and community around her. She is a true believer in the fact that anything is possible when people work together toward a common goal. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” - Helen Keller
Emily Kennedy
The positivity Vibe
Emily Kennedy is from a small town in northeast Iowa. She attended Iowa State University and graduated with degrees in Human Resource management and Housing in the Near Environment with a minor in psychology. Emily moved to rural Atlantic in 2006 with her husband Zak. They are entrepreneurs and work together. They have three children.
She has a passion for advancement in community, family and personal growth.
When hearing of the SHIFT ATL vision she immediately wanted to be involved. Their goals were all things she had desired for the community since moving here but didn’t know how to get started. With a background in community housing she is dedicated to help close the gap on the need for affordable middle income, single family homes. This is one of the avenues to bring more people to our declining population and businesses to Cass county. Emily would like to see Atlantic be a thriving community for her children could return to, if they choose.