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Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Announces 2015 Community Connect Program Participants and Mentors

February 12, 2015

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is pleased to announce the 30 program participants and 15 mentors selected for the Community Connect: Mentors Inspiring Success program.

Community Connect seeks to inspire future leaders to take purposeful action in the community as a result of relationships with experienced community leaders and a curriculum that encourages discovery of personal values and motivations. The six-session program, running February through June, occurs in a small-group setting which ensures interaction with each mentor as well as other program participants.

Participants include: Sonia Ashe, Aaron Chittenden, Pamela Clearwater-Lovell, Kaci Conetzkey, Kelly Crosby, Judith Downs, Amber Foxworthy, Angela Gallagher, Ida Hadzisulejmanovic, Kali Hunter, Kendra Kelly, Susan Kloewer, Stacy Lage, Cody Lenz, Alyssa Marschner, Jeremy Masterson, Keshia Meissner, Laine Mendenhall-Buck, Matthew Onstot, Kyle Oppenhuizen, Nicole Peckumn, Kerri Schneider, Emily Schrad, Amy Strutt, Shannon Stump, Anne Thomas, Kelsey Tyrrell, Eric Wieland, Hanna Wolle, and Tyler Wyngarden. 

Mentors include:  Kim Butler, The Private Bank; Dr. Mary Chapman, retired, Des Moines Area Community College; Sally Dix, Bravo Greater Des Moines;  Joe Gonzalez, Latino Resources and Latino Heritage Festival; Eric Idehen, Wells Fargo; Joseph Jones, Greater Des Moines Partnership; Kristi Knous, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines; Kerty Levy, Kemin; Matt McGarvey, Telligen Community Initiative; Dana Ramundt, The Dana Company;  Jana Reiker, Bankers Trust; Katie Roth, Portico Staffing; Mary Sellers, United Way of Central Iowa; Rick Tollakson, Hubbell Realty Company; and Steve Whitty, The Principal Financial Group.

The program launches February 16, 2015 at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Learn more about Community Connect and the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute at gdmli.com.


About the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is a premier leadership organization, guiding leaders to greater public awareness, commitment and involvement – improving the overall quality of life in our community. In three decades, more than 1,800 leaders have participated in Leadership Institute programs, gaining a greater understanding of our community and opportunities for civic improvement. For more information about GDMLI, visit gdmli.com.