Youth Leadership Initiative Returns to Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Jan. 25, 2019) — The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) will become a program of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute beginning with its 2019/2020 class. YLI is currently an initiative of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
YLI introduces, develops and fosters leadership skills among high school sophomores and juniors in Greater Des Moines (DSM) through experiential mentoring and leadership opportunities that enhance self-esteem and encourage involvement in all levels of community life. YLI began as a program of the Leadership Institute in 2003 and became an initiative of The Partnership in 2011. YLI’s return home to the Leadership Institute umbrella reflects the growth of the program and its alignment with the long-term vision of the Leadership Institute.
“The Leadership Institute seeks to develop an endless source of civic stewards at all levels of their life and career,” said Amy Jennings, Executive Director of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. “As we continue to evaluate our organization’s opportunities, it became clear that YLI’s goals align with our existing programs, and it is time for us to put a focus on developing leaders at the high school level. We are grateful for The Partnership’s work in building the program and look forward to continuing to work closely with The Partnership to make YLI successful.”
The Partnership will continue to sponsor YLI for the first two years of its transition back to the Leadership Institute.
“YLI has been a great complement to The Partnership’s talent development work for the last 15 years dating back to the Leadership Institute’s creation of the program,” said Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Talent Development for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “Its continued growth and natural fit with the Leadership Institute’s mission made this the right time to transition it back home. We have a close working relationship with the Leadership Institute and will continue to be involved in YLI.”
The class of 2018/2019 is currently underway, and will remain under The Partnership’s umbrella. Applications for the class of 2019/2020 are now open. The class will begin in June.
About the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute
The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute motivates participants to a higher level of community awareness and involvement to ensure that Central Iowa has a strong flow of leadership well into the future. Its mission is to develop, connect, inspire and challenge community champions through life-changing leadership experiences. Its vision is to cultivate a thriving community for all, served by an endless source of civic stewards. Learn more at gdmli.com.
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 6,400 Regional Business Members and more than 340 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.