Fourteen Professionals Complete First-Ever DSM Leadership Intensive
New Greater Des Moines Partnership program builds skills for emerging leaders
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 6, 2026) – Fourteen professionals from organizations across Greater Des Moines have completed the inaugural DSM Leadership Intensive, a six-session program led by the Greater Des Moines Partnership to help new and emerging leaders strengthen their skills and prepare for greater responsibility.
Held from Sept. 1 through Nov. 5, the program brought participants together to learn from experts across higher education, business, nonprofit organizations and the Iowa National Guard. Expert-led instruction, peer learning and practical exercises exposed participants to a range of leadership perspectives and approaches.
Throughout the program, participants examined their personal leadership strengths and behaviors, practiced communication and feedback techniques and developed strategies for delegation, accountability and navigating challenges. Between sessions, participants were encouraged to apply at least one concept in their workplaces and reflect on their experiences with peers.
"Leadership development is most valuable when you can take what you’ve learned and put it into practice,” said Krista Van Hooser-Perin, Director of Workforce at The Partnership. “We're already hearing how participants are making intentional changes in the way they communicate and empower others, and that's exactly the kind of impact we hoped this program would have.”
The inaugural DSM Leadership Intensive cohort includes:
- Nathan Benedict, Lil' Brother Construction
- Will Figueroa, The Mutual Group
- Trevor Gallagher, Dee Zee, Inc.
- Michael Gookin, EMC Insurance
- Casey Johnson, Vylor
- Nathaniel Johnson, Nicolet National Bank
- Mary Luna-Duffy, ISG, Inc.
- Alex Lynch, Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Brendan Pendegraft, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company
- Heidi Shaw, Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Chase Spencer, Drake University
- Kymberly Stevenson, Iowa Economic Development Authority
- Alli Washington, Estes Construction
- Alyssa Young, Two Rivers Marketing
Developed with input from leaders across business, military and nonprofit sectors, DSM Leadership Intensive addressed employers’ needs for high-quality leadership development opportunities. The program featured representatives from the Iowa National Guard, Iowa State University, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University and the University of Iowa.
Learn more about the DSM Leadership Intensive and how you can get involved at DSMPartnership.com.
###
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the largest regional business, economic development and talent development organization in Iowa and the second-largest regional chamber of commerce in the country, serving multiple counties in Greater Des Moines. Together with more than 400 Investors and an Affiliate Chamber of Commerce network of more than 7,200 Regional Chamber Members, The Partnership helps businesses grow and advances quality of life in Greater Des Moines with one voice, one mission and as one region, contributing to a vibrant regional economy. The Partnership was named Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the chamber industry’s highest honor, and is accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.