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CEO Commitment to Racial Equity in DSM

Leaders in Greater Des Moines (DSM) are encouraged to consider signing a CEO Commitment to Racial Equity in DSM. The Greater Des Moines Partnership and its Inclusion Council have outlined the commitment that was developed with input from The Directors Council through its One Economy Blueprint for Action, as well as Capital Crossroads leadership. The Partnership is asking CEOs and top-level leaders of companies, organizations and public entities in DSM to consider signing onto this commitment to racial equity and to create equitable, inclusive and diverse workplaces and communities.

Commitment

We have reached a critical moment in our nation and region's history that calls us to address racial equity in meaningful ways. Now is the time to reset expectations and recognize the role we play in creating equitable, inclusive and diverse workplaces and communities. As CEOs we prioritize and commit to:

  • Leveraging the power and privilege that we each possess to influence local and state policies that lead to racial equity and social justice.
  • Supporting the One Economy Blueprint for Action, its problem-solving goals, strategies and key metrics that help us meaningfully move toward racial equity in DSM.
  • Ensuring diverse representation in our businesses at all levels that is propelled by inviting diverse perspectives to every conversation and every table.
  • Embracing inclusive talent attraction, hiring and career development practices that increase access to and support the advancement of people of color in our workplace.
  • Investing in diversity, equity and inclusion education and training that is rooted in racial equity and recognizes the impact of systemic racism past and present.
  • Promoting supplier diversity initiatives that support minority-owned businesses and leverage the purchasing power of our organizations.
  • Affirming that our efforts will endure and that we will continually discuss and share ways to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive DSM.

To businesses, nonprofits, government leaders, community leaders and the broader community: Join us in this commitment to make DSM better for all.

Action

Commitment requires action to make diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) a reality.

In addition to signing the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity (below), we're asking leaders to share best practices as a way to tell the stories of the intentional DEI work that is happening in our community, and to build transparency and accountability. The Partnership invites leaders and organizations to share their DEI initiatives and progress and help build a community resource that promotes collaboration and idea-sharing surrounding DEI.

Sharing these stories is one step in the DEI journey and helps inspire others to join in and spurs further action in moving the needle on racial equity.

Share Your Progress

Supporters

Thank you to many companies, organizations and public entities in DSM who have signed the CEO Commitment to Racial Equity in DSM. If you are a CEO/top executive at your organization and would like to sign the commitment, please email Angie Stepsis at astepsis@DSMpartnership.com.

  • AARP – Brad Anderson, State Director
  • Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce – Deb Bengtson, President
  • Alzheimer's Association (Iowa Chapter) – Doug Bickford, Executive Director
  • American Enterprise Group – Tom Swank, President & CEO
  • Animal Rescue League of Iowa – Tom L. Colvin, CEO
  • Ankeny Economic Development Corporation – Joey Beech, Executive Director
  • Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company – Kirk Tyler, Chairman of the Board
  • Bank Iowa Corporation – Jim Plagge, CEO
  • Bankers Trust Company – Donald Coffin, CEO & President
  • Baton Global – Kavi Chawla, Partner
  • Belin McCormick, P.C. – Kelsey Knowles, President
  • Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities & Siouxland Region – Chris Coleman, President
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa – Bridget Cravens- Neely, CEO
  • BKD – Jeffrey R. Naig, Managing Principal
  • Blank Park Zoo – Anne Shimerdla, President & CEO
  • Bravo Greater Des Moines – Sally Dix, Executive Director
  • Bridgestone Americas – Greg Halford, Des Moines Plan Manager
  • Broadlawns Medical Center – Dr. Anthony Coleman, President & CEO
  • Brokers International – Mark Williams, President & CEO
  • BrownWinick Law Firm – Chris Sackett, Managing Member
  • Business Publications Corporation – Connie Wimer, Owner & Chairman
  • Business Record (dsm and ia magazines) – Suzanna de Baca, President & Group Publisher
  • Businessolver, Inc. – Jon L. Shanahan, President & CEO
  • By Degrees Foundation – Emily Westergaard, CEO
  • Capital City Fruit, Co. – Christian Comito, CEO
  • Capital City Pride – Jennifer Carruthers, President of the Board of Directors
  • Capital Crossroads – Britney Samuelson, Director
  • Casey's General Stores – Darren Rebelez, President & CEO
  • Catch Des Moines – Greg Edwards, President & CEO
  • Central College – Mark L. Putnam, President
  • Children & Families of Iowa – Janice Lane Schroeder, CEO
  • ChildServe – Dr. Teri Wahlig, CEO
  • Christensen Development – Jake Christensen, President
  • City of Des Moines – Scott Sanders, City Manager
  • City of Indianola – Ryan Waller, City Manager
  • City of Johnston – Jim Sanders, City Administrator
  • City of Pleasant Hill – J. Benjamin Champ, City Manager
  • City of Urbandale – Robert Andeweg, Mayor
  • Clive Behavioral Health – Mary Sparks Thompson, CEO
  • Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines – Kristi Knous, President
  • Community State Bank – Kurt A. Gibson, President & CEO
  • Community Youth Concepts – Amy Croll, CEO
  • Confluence – Chris Della Vedova, President/CEO
  • Corteva Agriscience – Judd O’Connor, U.S. Region President
  • Cultivation Corridor – Billi Hunt, Executive Director
  • CultureALL – Sherry Gupta, Executive Director
  • DART, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority – Elizabeth Presutti, CEO
  • Davis Brown Law Firm – John Pietila, President of the Board of Directors
  • Delta Dental of Iowa – Jeff Russell, President & CEO
  • Des Moines Area Community College – Rob Denson, President
  • Des Moines Area MPO – Todd Ashby, CEO/Executive Director
  • Des Moines City Council – Frank Cownie, City Mayor
  • Des Moines City Council Ward 2 – Linda Westergaard, City Council Representative
  • Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce – Jennifer Chittenden, Executive Director
  • Des Moines International Airport – Kevin Foley, Executive Director
  • Des Moines Metro Opera – Michael Egel, General and Artistic Director
  • Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center – James Hayes, Executive Director
  • Des Moines Playhouse – David R. Kilpatrick, Executive Director
  • Des Moines Public Library – Susan Woody, Director
  • Des Moines Public Schools – Matt Smith, Interim Superintendent
  • Des Moines University – Dr. Angela Franklin, President & CEO
  • Des Moines West Side Chamber of Commerce – Darrell Sarmento, Executive Director
  • DLL Finance LLC – Amy Ventling Hester, President
  • DMARC – Matt Unger, CEO/Executive Director
  • Dowling Catholic High School – Dr. Dan Ryan, President
  • Drake University – Marty Martin, President
  • Dwolla – Brady Harris, CEO
  • Easterseals – Sherri Nielsen, President/CEO
  • EFR Employee & Family Resources – Tammy Hoyman, CEO
  • Eide Bailly LLP – Blake Crow, Partner-in-Charge
  • EMC Insurance Companies – Scott Jean, President & CEO
  • Ernst & Young LLP – Kevin Zaugg, Des Moines Office Managing Partner
  • Estes Construction – Kent Pilcher, CEO & President
  • Event Decorators of Iowa, Inc. – Timothy Leslie Lancial, CEO
  • EveryStep – Tray Wade, President & CEO
  • F&G – Chris Blunt, CEO
  • Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP – Tom Froehle & Andy Kassner, Co-Chairs
  • Feed Energy – Chris Snyder, CEO & President
  • First National Bank – Dean M. Whitaker, Market President
  • FuseDSM, Your Chamber of Commerce – Trish Flaherty-Barnes, President/CEO
  • Goodwill of Central Iowa – Mary Hunter, President and CEO
  • Grand View University – Kent Henning, President
  • Gravitate Coworking – Geoff Wood, CEO
  • Great Western Bank – Brad Botos, Group President
  • Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity – Lance Henning, President & Executive Director
  • Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute – Amy Jennings, Executive Director
  • Greater Des Moines Partnership – Jay Byers, CEO
  • Green State Credit Union – Jeff Disterhoft, CEO
  • Grinnell College – Anne F. Harris, President
  • Hawthorn Hill & Bidwell Riverside Center – Tim Shanahan, Executive Director
  • Hilton Des Moines Downtown – Dan Carlino, General Manager
  • Holmes Murphy – Dan Keough, Chairman & CEO/Shareholder
  • Hubbell Realty – Rick Tollakson, President & CEO
  • Hy-Vee – Randy Edeker, CEO
  • Impact Community Action Partnership – Anne Bacon, Executive Director
  • IMT Insurance – Sean Kennedy, President & CEO
  • Insurance Broker – Lynn Wilson, Broker
  • Iowa Architectural Foundation – William Anderson, FAIA Chair
  • Iowa Association of School Boards – Lisa Bartusek, Executive Director
  • Iowa Automobile Dealers Association – Bruce Anderson, President
  • Iowa Credit Union Foundation – Jaimie Miller, Executive Director
  • Iowa Credit Union League – Murray Williams, President & CEO
  • Iowa Environmental Council – Brian Campbell, Executive Director
  • Iowa Healthiest State Initiative – Jami Haberl, Executive Director
  • Iowa Pharmacy Association – Kate Gainer, Executive Vice President | CEO
  • Iowa Primary Care Association – Aaron L. Todd, CEO
  • Iowa Sports Foundation – Chuck Long, CEO/Executive Director
  • Iowa State Athletics – Jamie Pollard, Athletic Director
  • Iowa State Bank – Alan E. Gross, President
  • Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Polk County – Paul Gibbins, Regional Director
  • Iowa Student Loan – Steven W. McCullough, CEO
  • Iowa-Des Moines Supply, Inc. – Todd Weidmaier, CEO/Owner
  • ITC Midwest – Terry Dusky, President
  • ITA Group Holdings, Inc. – Tom Mahoney, Chairman of the Board
  • ITA Group – Brent VanderWaal, President & CEO
  • John Deere – Raj Kalathur, President
  • Junior Achievement of Central Iowa – Ryan Osborn, President
  • Kemin Industries, Inc. – RW Nelson, Chairman
  • Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Company – Fred Buie, President
  • KCCI – Brian Sather, President & General Manager
  • KPMG LLP – M. Sean Vicente, Office Managing Partner
  • Knapp Properties – Chris Costa, President & CEO
  • Krause Group – Kyle Krause, Chairman & CEO
  • Kum & Go – Tanner Krause, President
  • LCS – Joel Nelson, President & CEO
  • Lessing-Flynn – Tom Flynn, President
  • Living History Farms – Ruth Haus, President
  • LSI – John Twardos, President – CEO
  • LWBJ – Paul Juffer, Managing Partner
  • McGowen Hurst Clark Smith – David Farnsworth, Managing Shareholder
  • MedPharm Iowa – Dr. Christopher Nelson, CEO
  • Merchants Bonding Company – Larry Taylor, President
  • Mercy College of Health Sciences – Matt Romkey, Executive Vice President & Chancellor
  • MercyOne – Bob Ritz, CEO
  • Dotdash Meredith – Erica Jensen, President & CEO
  • MidAmerican Energy – Kelcey Brown, President & CEO
  • Mid-Iowa Health Foundation – Dr. Nalo Johnson, President
  • Midwest Heritage – Tony S. Kaska, CEO & President
  • Mosaic (Central Iowa) – Brandi Bretthauer, Executive Director
  • MWH Law Group LLP – Kerrie M. Murphy, Managing Partner
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (Greater Des Moines) – Ashley Adams, Board of Directors President
  • National Speech & Debate Association – J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director
  • Nationwide – Jeff Rommel, Senior Vice President of Property and Casualty Sales
  • Navigate Wellbeing Solutions – Troy W. Vincent, Founder & CEO
  • NCMIC Group, Inc. – Mike McCoy, CEO
  • Neumann Bros. – Michael G. Simpson, President & CEO/Shareholder
  • Next Level Ventures – Craig Ibsen, Managing Principal
  • Neighborhood Finance Corporation – Stephanie Murphy, Executive Director
  • Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce – Lucinda Sperry, Executive Director
  • Nyemaster Goode – Frank Harty, Chairman
  • Oakridge Neighborhood – Teree Caldwell-Johnson, CEO
  • O'Halloran International – Jim O'Halloran, Jr., President
  • On With Life – Jean Shelton, CEO
  • One Iowa – Courtney Reyes, Executive Director
  • One Smart Kid, LLC – Bethany Sweeney, Ph.D., Director of Iowa Operations
  • Optimae LifeServices, Inc. – William Dodds, President & CEO
  • Orchard Place – Anne Starr, President & CEO
  • Palmer Group – David Leto, President
  • Paramount Hotel Group – Abid Talic, Regional General Manager
  • Performance Marketing – Kevin Lentz, President
  • PharmServ Staffing – Felix Gallagher, Principal & Co-Founder
  • PHC – Kelly Huntsman, CEO
  • Polk County – Angela Connolly, Chair of the Polk County Supervisors
  • Polk County – John Norris, Polk County Administrator
  • Prairie Meadows – Gary Palmer, President/CEO
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP – Tessie Johnson, Partner
  • Principal Financial – Dan Houston, Chairman, President & CEO
  • Proteus, Inc. – Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, CEO
  • R&R Realty Group – Mark A. Rupprecht, President
  • RDG IA – Justin Platts, President
  • RDG Planning & Design – Philip A. Hodgin, CEO/President
  • Riley Resource Group – Robert G. Riley, Jr., Chairman
  • RSM US LLP – Rodney Foster, Office Managing Partner
  • Ruan Transportation Management Systems, Inc. – Ben McLean, CEO
  • Security National Bank – Raymond E. Meister, SVP/Market President
  • Schabel Solutions – Claudia Schabel, President
  • Seneca Companies – JC Risewick, President/COO
  • SHAZAM – Paul Waltz, President & CEO
  • SHYFT Collective – Brandon Foldes, Founding Partner & CEO
  • Simpson College – Marsha C. Kelliher, President
  • Slingshot Architecture – Dan Drendel, Principal & CEO
  • Sollah Interactive, LLC – Jon Grannis, Executive Director
  • St. Vincent De Paul – Steve Havemann, Executive Director
  • The Advocacy Cooperative – Craig T. Patterson, Partner
  • The World Food Prize Foundation – Barbara L. Stinson, President
  • Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa – Art Wittmack, President
  • TEK Systems – Matthew Minniear, Director of Iowa Operations
  • Tero International – Rowena Crosbie, President & Founder
  • Tri-City Electric (Central Iowa Division) – John Irving, President
  • Trilix – Ron Maahs, CEO
  • Two Rivers Marketing – Brian Jones, President
  • U.S. Bank – Mike Helak, Market President
  • U.S. Small Business Administration (Iowa District Office) – Jayne Armstrong, District Director
  • Uni-Hope Life Skills and Services – Fabian Mzimba, Executive Director
  • United Way of Central Iowa – Mary Sellers, President
  • UnityPoint Health — Des Moines – David Stark, President & CEO
  • Universal Pediatrics – Tucker Anderson, CEO & President
  • Urban Dreams – Izaah Knox, Executive Director
  • Urbandale Community School District– Dr. Rosalie Daca, Superintendent of Schools
  • Venerable Insurance and Annuity Company – Patrick Lusk, President & CEO
  • VIA Group, Realtors – Ken Clark, President & CEO
  • Vision Soccer Academy – Carlos Acebey, Executive Director
  • WA.Architecture – William Anderson, FAIA President
  • We Write Code – Levi Rosol, CEO
  • Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield – Cory Harris, CEO
  • Wells Fargo – Marta Codina, Region Bank President
  • WesleyLife – Rob Kretzinger, President & CEO
  • West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce – Katherine Harrington, President & CEO
  • West Des Moines Community Schools – Dr. Lisa M. Remy, Superintendent
  • Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. – Jaki K. Samuelson, Attorney at Law
  • Willis Automotive – Richard M. Willis, Dealer Principal
  • Women Lead Change – Tiffany O'Donnell, CEO
  • WorkHound – Andrew Kirpalani, CTO
  • YESS – Leisa Fox, CEO
  • YMCA of Greater Des Moines – Leisha Barcus , President/CEO
  • Young Women's Resource Center – Kari Zimmerman, Executive Director
  • Zumi Collection – Lu Spaine, CEO & Owner