Partnership Hires Diana Wright as Startup Community Builder
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (April 1, 2021) – The Greater Des Moines Partnership has hired Diana Wright for the position of Startup Community Builder. In this role, Wright will engage with the existing startups and high-growth businesses in Greater Des Moines (DSM). She will also help new and diverse startups connect with the community and its mentors, advisors, investors and other community leaders and feeders. Wright will work to proactively create opportunities to bring the startup community together physically and virtually, while leveraging existing services and resources in Greater Des Moines (DSM).
Wright most recently worked at Iowa State University’s Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship to lead, create and market a number of the cornerstone entrepreneurial programs, including the creation of the first-ever student accelerator at Iowa State University called CYstarters. Prior to that role, Wright worked as a Community Builder for tech startup Dwolla. A connector in the Iowa startup community, her leadership includes rebooting Startup Ames, organizing events during the inaugural year for 1 Million Cups Ames and leading due diligence rounds as a member of the first women's angel investing network in Iowa, FIN Capital.
“I am focused on a single purpose: to help entrepreneurs build real, impactful businesses in Iowa,” Wright said. “I am excited to work with existing and aspiring startup founders in Greater Des Moines to help them connect, build upon success and identify how we can collectively continue to build the startup ecosystem in this community.”
“A growing, vibrant startup community is critical for economic development success,” said Jay Byers, President & CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “As we evaluated opportunities to support the startup community in DSM, it became clear that we needed a connector and creator to support and maximize the DSM startup community. Diana has a proven track record of building relationships and programs to help startups and the startup ecosystem grow.”
Wright will begin at The Partnership on April 19.
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.