DES MOINES, Iowa (April 8th, 2019) – The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is proud to announce the graduation of 29 participants from the Community Connect program.
As a result of building relationships with experienced community leaders and engaging in a curriculum that encouraged discovery of individual purpose, values, and motivations, participants set goals for community involvement. The five-session program started in February and included classroom and small group learning.
“The 29 Community Connect graduates are ready to make a difference in Central Iowa,” says Amy Jennings, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute executive director. “They will be engaged leaders as a result of better understanding themselves, embracing their potential, and leveraging what they learned from the program mentors.”
Graduating participants include: Caryline Clark, Nick Crosse, Raul Cunarro, Catlin Curry, Dan Fitzgerald, Lee Hollatz, Rachelle Hunt Russian, Sarah Jaschen, Mike Jefferson, Lauren Johnson, Jacob Kuperman, Ka’Meka Lowery, Shannon McKinney, Kim McMains, Laura Miller, Robin Mohrfeld, Edward Ngugi, Addie Rasmusson, David Reid, Nicole Schrader, Nathan Scott, Lisa Severino, Ellie Skowronek, Nathan Sniezek, Saranya Subramanian, Rafaela Vidal, Iris Villegas, Brittany Wiederin and Alec Wilcox.
Program mentors include: Doug Bickford, Alzheimer’s Association; Kim Butler, Community State Bank; Teree Caldwell-Johnson, Oakridge Neighborhood Services; Blake Campbell, Best Buddies International; Mary Chapman, Retired, DMACC; Jann Freed, The Genysys Group; Joe Gonzalez, Latino Resources and Heritage Festival; Eric Idehen, Wells Fargo; Natali Justiniano Pahl; Judy McCoy Davis, JMD Consulting; Nader Nasseh, Wells Fargo; Vinh Nguyen, Des Moines Public Schools; Elizabeth Presutti, DART; Barb Preuss, Des Moines Performing Arts; San Wong, Iowa Department of Human Rights; and Mee Yang-Lee, Principal Financial Group.
Participants publicly affirmed their purpose statements and goals for community involvement at a commencement ceremony held on Monday, April 8th, at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. See the participant and mentor lists, and learn more about the Community Connect program at gdmli.com. The program was graciously supported by NCMIC Professional Solutions.