Leading in Times of Challenge with Judge Romonda Belcher

Judge Romonda Belcher is the first African American female judge appointed in Iowa. She served as an assistant Polk County attorney for 15 years and is a graduate of both Howard University and Drake University. Belcher has presided over delinquent and dependency cases, including acting as the presiding judge of the Polk County Family Treatment Court. 

Judge Romonda Belcher Leadership Tips

Judge Belcher presides over a team that includes a prosecutor, parent attorney, child attorney and a variety of health providers. Her challenges arise in making the team available to the parents who need it most. She says best practices include holding parents accountable in interactions with the court in order to make a difference. Judge Belcher acknowledges the importance of holding parents accountable in their sobriety in order to move closer to reunification and strengthen families across Greater Des Moines (DSM).

For Judge Belcher, finding ways to unwind at the end of the day starts with figuring out why you do what you do. She wants to make a difference in the courts and be available to the most vulnerable. To do so, she recognizes the need to leave work at work at times. Judge Belcher urges team members to take care of themselves in order to better provide services to others. A work-life balance is necessary.

The Leading in Times of Challenge podcast was previously produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. To learn more about community events and leadership, check out The Partnership blog.