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DSM Fellowship Program Announces 2025-26 Cohort

April 1, 2025

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (April 1, 2025) — The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the 2025-26 cohort of the DSM Fellowship Program. The cohort began its programming today and will conclude in June 2026. The cohort consists of 17 individuals from seven Greater Des Moines (DSM) organizations. 

The DSM Fellowship Program is a preeminent professional development initiative to attract, develop and retain a community of top-tier early career professionals who demonstrate emerging leadership qualities. Companies from throughout the DSM community participate in the program by selecting early career professionals that have three to seven years of experience in their organizations. The mission of the program is to give participants access to opportunities that will accelerate their professional and career development, community and civic engagement, and help them establish lasting connections to retain them in the community. 

The following Fellows will be participating in the 2025-26 program:  

  • Luke Becker, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa 

  • Cassandra Brown, F&G 

  • Kristine Darland, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa 

  • Isaac Hoffman, F&G 

  • Steven Jiang, Nationwide 

  • Haruko Okada, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa 

  • Andrew Overton, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company 

  • Archana Parshar, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines 

  • Karter Smith, Bâton Global 

  • Nolan Sullivan, Slingshot Architecture 

  • Ngoc Truong, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines 

  • Lauren Tucker, Nationwide 

  • Allison Walters, F&G 

  • Isabel Wheeler, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa 

  • Katelyn Winjum, F&G 

  • Anna Olff, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa 

  • Angel Zamora, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa 

“We’re excited to welcome the next cohort of participants as they begin their journey through this professional development initiative,” said Lexi Shafer, Director of Workforce at The Partnership. “This program continues to help employers invest in their employees by fostering career growth, building meaningful connections and creating a stronger sense of belonging across the region.” 

Find more information about the DSM Fellowship Program on The Partnership’s website or contact Lexi Shafer at lshafer@DSMpartnership.com.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership 
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves 12 counties in Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa: Adair, Clarke, Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek and Warren. Together with more than 400 Investors and an Affiliate Chamber of Commerce network of more than 6,700 Regional Business Members, The Partnership drives economic growth and talent development to advance quality of life in DSM with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.