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DSM Fellowship Program Welcomes 24 Employees at 14 Companies

DSM Fellowship

June 28, 2018

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (June 28, 2018) — A total of 24 employees at 14 Greater Des Moines (DSM) companies are participating in the pilot class of the DSM Fellowship Program. The DSM Fellowship Program is a preeminent professional development initiative that attracts, develops and retains a diverse community of top-tier college graduates and early career young professionals. Launching The Program is a 2018 Partnership Strategic Priority.

Participating companies are sponsoring the Fellows in a two-year program. The initial cohort is made up of employees who have joined their company in the past year. Fellows will be exposed to opportunities that accelerate their professional track and grant lasting connections. Among the opportunities offered through the program, Fellows will complete a customized advanced professional development curriculum, receive mentoring from executives in their company and the region, have access to community engagement opportunities and work on a capstone project.

“Attracting and retaining talent from across the country and world is key to workforce growth in DSM,” said Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Talent Development at The Partnership. “Through this program, companies can identify young talented individuals that we want to keep in DSM and help them connect to their workplace and the community during their first years in the workforce.”

The list of participants includes

Alanna Verner

Commercial Mortgage Loan Analyst, American Equity Investment

Angela Hoffman

Consumer Lending Associate, Bankers Trust

Sarah Schalm

Sales Support Coordinator, Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont™

Harrison Richards

Actuarial Associate I, FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Raymond How

Technical Administration, FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Emelia Otting

Associate Accountant, FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Daianera Whitaker

Consultant, Business Analyst, FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Justin Greenwood

Risk & Cash Lead Analyst, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Maggie Martin

Marketing Communications Specialist, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Rachel Wollschlager

Financial Analyst II, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Matthew Anderson

Member Senior Specialist, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Naga Gaddam

Actuarial Assistant, Fidelity & Guaranty Life

Audriana DeBuse

Talent Acquisition Consultant, Holmes Murphy & Associates

Kownoon Her

Data Scientist, John Deere

Sabrina Fest

Credit Development Program, John Deere

Robert Gavaro

Director — Mercy Connect/Innovation, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines

Kyrell Newell

Non-Injury Liability Claims Associate, Nationwide

Marisa Anfinson

Commercial Mortgage Underwriting, Principal

Swati Panchal

Administrative Fellow, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines

Eli McKeever

Technology Associate, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa

Kartikeya Vavilala

Technology Associate, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa

Kenneth Chandler

Technology Associate, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa

Mackenzie Kaplan

Technology Associate, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa

Quiana Hampton

Financial Analyst, Wells Fargo & Co.

A new cohort will be accepted for 2020.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth 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.