Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Recognizes 2015 Community Leadership Program Graduates
The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute announces the graduation of 49 leaders from the private, public and nonprofit sectors who participated in the Leadership Institute’s Community Leadership Program. The nine-month course raises awareness of the needs and challenges that affect the region and builds leadership skills to help participants become better community stewards.
Each year, the Community Leadership Program class members select four civic engagement projects that benefit local non-profits and facilitate meaningful leadership experiences. The Class of 2015 made a lasting impact on the community through their work with the following organizations:
Beacon of Life
Beacon of Life has helped over 5,000 women become productive, self-sufficient members of the community by providing the tools and resources needed to break the cycle of homelessness. The project team raised cash and in-kind donations to renovate eight bathrooms throughout the home, helping 32 women in crisis feel proud of their spaces and confident as they build better lives.
Youth Emergency Shelter Services
Since 1973, YESS has served as a child-welfare agency, providing emergency shelter, crisis care, and counseling services for 1,200 children each year, from newborn to age 17. The project team coordinated the collection and purchase of all items needed to complete 32 bedrooms in the building’s new wing, providing a safe, at-home environment for kids.
Central Iowa Shelter and Services
The mission of CISS is to provide free shelter and meals to homeless adults, regardless of physical or emotional conditions, to facilitate their move toward self-sufficiency. The project team served as consultants, using their experience and expertise, to identify ways to generate sustainable, unrestricted revenue to support CISS programs and services. Their efforts lead to the installation of a new irrigation system for microgreen garden beds and the development of a community advocacy circle.
Community Youth Concepts
Since 2008, CYC has promoted the use of positive youth development principles to assist students in skill development and community engagement. Operating seven during and after-school programs, working with more than 19 schools, CYC has impacted over 12,000 students with mentoring, philanthropy and educational opportunities. The project team created a Youth Enrichment Center that included reading areas, a computer lab and storage areas, providing kids a supportive place to interact and learn.
The following individuals will be recognized at the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Honors luncheon today, May 21st, for their successful completion of the Community Leadership Program:
Sophia Ahmad, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra & Academy
Aubrey Alvarez, Eat Greater Des Moines
Lauren August, ITA Group
Charley Campbell, Kum & Go, L.C.
Jamie Campos, Des Moines Embassy Club
Carrie Clogg, Kum & Go, L.C.
Dan Corron, Denny Elwell Company
Brian Damman, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Ashley Danielson, Trilix
Michael Dayton, Nyemaster Goode, P.C.
Chris Deal, MODUS Engineering
Brenna Finnerty, UnityPoint Health Foundation
Trina Flack, Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tara Hall, Davis Brown Law Firm
Becky Hansel, INVISION planning | architecture | interiors
Scott Hedderich, Renewable Energy Group
Rocio Hermosillo, Bankers Trust
Brad Hershberger, McGladrey
Kara Hogue, McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith, P.C.
Ashley Holter, Business Publications Corporation, Inc.
Tim Hoskins, Quester
Michelle Huggins, Shive-Hattery, Inc.
Jill Johnson, Simpson College
Melissa Jurgens, Charles Saul Engineering, Inc.
Karen Karr, BrownWinick Law Firm
Carrie Kruse, City of Des Monies
Jason Kurth, Diocese of Des Moines
Eugenia Kutsch-Stanton, DuPont Pioneer
Sara Lehan, American Enterprise Group, Inc.
Jeff Liggett, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Colleen MacRae, Dickinson Law Firm
Traci McBee, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Matt McKinney, BrownWinick Law Firm
Mandi McReynolds, Drake University
David Nelmark, Belin McCormick, PC
Ashleigh O'Connell, Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C.
Emily Osweiler, YMCA of Greater Des Moines
Liz Proctor, Dwolla
Cassandra Pudenz, TMG Financial Services
Lonnetta Ragland, DuPont Pioneer
Sarah Ramsey, United Way of Central Iowa
David Seybert, City of Des Moines Police Department
Sean Simonis, Meredith Corporation
Travis Simpson, Northwest Bank
Jerit Tripp, Gilbert & Cook, Inc.
Cheryl Tuttle, Des Moines Art Center
Matt Unger, Food Bank of Iowa
Lori Vande Krol, Life Made Simple, LLC
Jeremy Weiss, Sogeti USA
About Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is Central Iowa’s premier community leadership development organization. Through community-wide education and service projects, the Leadership Institute develops, connects, inspires, and challenges community leaders to greater public awareness, commitment, and involvement to improve the overall quality of life in our community. Since 1982, more than 1,800 leaders have graduated from the Leadership Institute’s programs. Learn about the Leadership Institute by visiting gdmli.com.