Jenae Sikkink Named Senior Vice President of Talent Development

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Sept. 8, 2022) –?The Greater Des Moines Partnership has named Jenae Sikkink as its Senior Vice President of Talent Development. In this role, Sikkink will lead The Partnership’s efforts in attracting and retaining talent to the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region, and strengthening the region’s talent pipeline. Sikkink will begin her role on Monday, Sept. 26.

Sikkink has held multiple positions at Central College in Pella, most recently as Director of External Engagement, a position she has held since 2017, and as Digital Promotion Director prior to that. Sikkink has worked as an Account Executive for Redwave Digital, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Family Office for Kum & Go, and Deputy Communications Director and Scheduler to then-Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds.

“Jenae brings a wide range of experience in higher education, economic development and workforce initiatives through her professional and volunteer roles,” said Jay Byers, President & CEO of The Partnership. “Her leadership will be instrumental in driving our talent initiatives including the Future Ready DSM goal of helping our region’s talent pool gain the education they need to be successful, and helping showcase DSM USA as one of the most attractive places to live and work in the country.”

Sikkink is heavily involved in the community. She currently serves as a Board Member for Variety – The Children’s Charity of Iowa, as Vice Chair for the Iowa Energy Center Board, on the Executive Committee for Governor Reynolds’ Empower Rural Iowa Initiative, and as a member of The Partnership’s Government Policy Council. Sikkink was Co-Chair of the Five Year Strategic Plan Refresh for the Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance (PACE Alliance), a Founding Member for the PACE Alliance’s Pella Talent Pipeline Initiative and a Policy Chair for the PACE Alliance’s Economic Development Council. She has served as a Board Member of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI).

“I am excited to bring a spirit of servant leadership and joy in this role as we collectively work to ensure a strong talent pipeline in the Greater Des Moines region,” Sikkink said. “I look forward to working with Partnership Investors, Members and stakeholders to create and cultivate initiatives to attract and retain talent and prepare our workforce for jobs of the future.”

Sikkink is a Central College alum with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies. She is a graduate of ABI’s Leadership Iowa program and was named a 2019 Red Rock Area Top 10 Under 40 Recipient by the Marion County Development Commission.

“We are eager to welcome someone who has been so heavily involved in a variety of professional and volunteer roles that relate to The Partnership’s work,” said Tiffany Tauscheck, Chief Operations Officer at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “Jenae will bring a unique viewpoint to push forward on talent attraction, retention and development opportunities.”

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 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 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.