Boards, Committees and Councils
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is led by business, civic and community leaders and industry experts.
The Partnership's 2026 Board, Committee and Council Members
See below for members of The Partnership's Board of Directors and other Boards, Committees and Councils.
2026 Greater Des Moines Partnership Board: Executive Committee
| Name |
Representing |
| Chris Costa, Chair |
Knapp Properties, LC |
| Dan Keough, Vice Chair |
Holmes Murphy |
| Deanna Strable, Vice Chair |
Principal Financial Group |
| Miriam Erickson Brown, Past Chair |
Anderson Erickson Dairy |
| Sean Vicente, Treasurer |
KPMG LLP |
| April Schmaltz, Secretary |
Delta Dental of Iowa |
| Annette Adams |
Nationwide |
| Supervisor Jill Altringer |
Polk County |
| Dr. Kurt Andersen |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Michael Anderson |
Principal Financial Group |
| Mayor Bobbi Bentz |
City of Ankeny |
| Mayor Connie Boesen |
City of Des Moines |
| Steve Bramlage |
Casey's General Stores, Inc. |
| J.T. Clendenin |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| Jeremy Dirks |
Corteva Agriscience |
| Mike Downing |
Athene Holding Ltd |
| Rob Feeney |
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company |
| Kyle Gamble |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Scott Gojkovich |
NCMIC |
| Jeremy Gosch |
Hyvee, Inc. |
| Shelly Herr |
Musco Sports Lighting |
| Dan Houston |
|
| Scott Jean |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Kathryn Kunert |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Jeff Lorenzen |
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company |
| Justin Lossner |
JLL |
| Mike McCoy |
|
| Ron Mead |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Samantha Mosser |
Bankers Trust |
| Melissa Ness |
Connectify HR |
| Brian Ohorilko |
Prairie Meadows |
| Jon Rozenfeld |
UnityPoint Health — Des Moines |
| Brad Russmann |
John Deere |
| David Siebert |
NCMIC |
| David Stark |
UnityPoint Health |
| Mak Sućeska |
Global Neighbors, Polk County |
| Tiffany Tauscheck |
Greater Des Moines Partnership |
| Rob TeKolste |
Sammons Financial Group |
| Chris Terhark |
Deloitte |
| Jeremiah Terhark |
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce |
| Brent Vander Waal |
ITA Group, Inc. |
| |
Updated Sept. 2026 |
2026 Greater Des Moines Partnership Board: Directors
| Name |
Representing |
| Chris Costa, Chair |
Knapp Properties, LC |
| Dan Keough, Vice Chair |
Holmes Murphy |
| Deanna Strable, Vice Chair |
Principal Financial Group |
| Miriam Erickson Brown, Past Chair |
Anderson Erickson Dairy |
| April Schmaltz, Secretary |
Delta Dental of Iowa |
| Sean Vicente, Treasurer |
KPMG LLP |
| Annette Adams |
Nationwide |
| Supervisor Jill Altringer |
Polk County |
| Michael Anderson |
Principal Financial Group |
| Mayor Robert Andeweg |
City of Urbandale |
| Lane Arthur |
John Deere |
| Mayor Bobbi Bentz |
City of Ankeny |
| Greg Blythe |
IMT Insurance |
| Mayor Connie Boesen |
City of Des Moines |
| Rachel Braafhart |
Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Steve Bramlage |
Casey's General Stores, Inc. |
| Jennifer Brown |
City of Waukee |
| Steve Bruere |
Peoples Company |
| Bryan Campbell |
U.S. Bank |
| Lori Chesser |
Dentons Davis Brown |
| Andrew Clark |
Clarke County Development Corporation |
| J.T. Clendenin |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| Aly Davis |
Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Doug Den Adel |
The Graham Group, Inc. |
| Jeremy Dirks |
Corteva Agriscience |
| Sally Dix |
Bravo Greater Des Moines |
| Mike Downing |
Athene |
| Karen Eischen |
Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance |
| Rob Feeney |
Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company |
| Trina Flack |
Catch Des Moines |
| Vanessa Freitag |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Amy Friedrich |
Principal Financial Group |
| Kyle Gamble |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Alex Gillach |
Young Professionals Connection |
| Scott Gojkovich |
NCMIC |
| Jeremy Gosch |
Hyvee, Inc. |
| President Anne Harris |
Grinnell College |
| Shelly Herr |
Musco Sports Lighting |
| Dan Houston |
|
| Billi Hunt |
Cultivation Corridor |
| Scott Jean |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Amy Kahler |
Des Moines Water Works |
| Dr. Rachelle Keck |
Grandview University |
| Kristi Knous |
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines |
| Kathryn Kunert |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Katie Lord |
City of Grimes |
| Jeff Lorenzen |
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company |
| Justin Lossner |
JLL |
| Chris Maddox |
Wells Fargo & Co. |
| Supervisor Matt McCoy |
Polk County |
| Mike McCoy |
|
| Ron Mead |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Erin Milroy |
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce |
| Samantha Mosser |
Bankers Trust |
| Melissa Ness |
Connectify HR |
| President Mark Nook |
University of Northern Iowa |
| George O'Neal |
Aureon |
| Lynsi Pasutti |
Perry Chamber of Commerce |
| Chad Quick |
City of Altoona |
| Dr. Nikki Roorda |
Johnston Community School District |
| Jon Rozenfeld |
UnityPoint Health — Des Moines |
| Mark Rupprecht |
R & R Realty Group |
| Kristy Schmidt |
Clive Chamber of Commerce |
| Mary Sellers |
United Way of Central Iowa |
| Taufeek Shah |
Lola's Fine Sauces, Inc. |
| David Siebert |
NCMIC |
| Matt Smith |
Des Moines Public Schools |
| David Stark |
UnityPoint Health |
| Julie Stewart |
Prairie Meadows |
| Mak Sućeska |
Global Neighbors, Polk County |
| Tiffany Tauscheck |
Greater Des Moines Partnership |
| Larry Taylor |
Merchants Bonding Company |
| Rob TeKolste |
Sammons Financial Group |
| Chris Terhark |
Deloitte |
| Jeremiah Terhark |
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce |
| Mayor Russ Trimble |
City of West Des Moines |
| Tom Troy |
The Mutual Group |
| Brent Vander Waal |
ITA Group, Inc. |
| Angela Walker Franklin, Ph. D. |
Des Moines University |
| Dustin Waters |
Keen Project Solutions |
| |
Updated Aug. 2026 |
2026 Greater Des Moines Partnership Foundation Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Dan Keough, Chair |
Holmes Murphy |
| Deanna Strable, Vice-Chair |
Principal Financial Group |
| Brent Vander Waal, Treasurer |
ITA Group, Inc. |
| Chris Costa, Partnership Board Chair |
Knapp Properties, LC |
| Miriam Erickson Brown, Past Partnership Board Chair |
Anderson Erickson Dairy |
| Tiffany Tauscheck |
Greater Des Moines Partnership |
| |
Updated Jan. 2026 |
2026 Downtown DSM Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Kyle Gamble, Co-Chair |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Justin Lossner, Co-Chair |
JLL |
| Emily Abbas, Secretary/Treasurer |
Bankers Trust |
| Ashtin Hotek, Downtown Events Group Board Chair |
Veridian Credit Union |
| Angie Pfannkuch, Operation Downtown Board Designee |
Sidekick Development |
| Ajay Kalra, Downtown Economic Development Council Chair |
CBRE |
| Matt Anderson |
City of Des Moines |
| Alex Briggs |
Nationwide |
| Nate Brokaw |
Hyvee, Inc. |
| Courtney Callahan |
Des Moines Chamber of Commerce |
| Kevin Farley |
Principal Financial Group |
| Phil Fitzgerald |
UnityPoint Health — Des Moines |
| Julia Franklin |
Mainframe Studios |
| Vanessa Frietag |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Jeff Glas |
Wells Fargo & Co. |
| Majda Hadzic |
JPMorganChase |
| Jeff Hatfield |
The Graham Group, Inc. |
| Erin Hockman |
Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority |
| Supervisor Mark Holm |
Polk County |
| Ted Hughes |
F&G |
| Cammy Jenkins |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| David Jennings |
Downtown Neighborhood Association of Des Moines |
| Derek Johnson |
ISG |
| Dr. Jon Lensing |
OpenLoop Health |
| Kent Lutz |
CMBA Architects |
| Tim McMillin |
Des Moines Performing Arts |
| Andy Moffitt |
Ryan Companies |
| Corey Morrison |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Tami Nielsen |
Food Bank of Iowa |
| Katie Petru |
Casey's General Stores, Inc. |
| Liz Rider |
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) |
| Alyssa Saunders |
Anthologic |
| Anne Shimerdla |
Blank Park Zoo |
| Councilman Mike Simonson |
Des Moines City Council Designee |
| John Smith |
Drake University |
| Ryan Squier |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Julie Stewart |
Prairie Meadows |
| Tiffany Tauscheck |
Greater Des Moines Partnership |
| Drew Van Meeteren |
Iowa Wolves |
| Todd Van Thomme |
Nyemaster Goode, P.C. |
| Michael Wagler |
AARP – Iowa |
| Vince Ward |
The Weitz Company |
| Randy Wehofer |
Iowa Cubs |
| Mike Whalen |
Heart of America Group |
| Tim Whipple |
Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. |
| Staci Williams |
Bolton & Menk |
| |
Updated Sept. 2026 |
2026 Advanced Manufacturing Council
| Name |
Representing |
| Brandon Luke, Co-Chair |
John Deere |
| Sean McAleer, Co-Chair |
Tension Corporation |
| Jason Andringa |
Vermeer Corporation |
| Renee Begley |
Collins Aerospace |
| Jarred Carter |
Siegwerk USA Inc. |
| Heidi Chico |
The Wittern Group |
| Tammy Christensen |
Helena Industries |
| Connor Deering |
CemenTech |
| Miriam Erickson Brown |
Anderson Erickson Dairy |
| Jon Freeman |
EFCO |
| Kelli Gallagher |
Dee Zee, Inc. |
| Roger Hargens |
Accu-Mold |
| Matt Hines |
Tension Corporation |
| Slater Johansen |
Collins Aerospace |
| Corey Morrison |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Jacob Muller |
CemenTech |
| Dan Nibe |
LBS/Corporate Image |
| Jacob Smith |
Andersen Windows |
| Shawn Torrez |
Helena Industries |
| Mindi Vanden Bosch |
Vermeer Corporation |
| Scott VanGrouw |
Lely North America |
| Scott Walter |
EFCO |
| |
Updated July 2026 |
2026 Affiliate Presidents' Council
| Name |
Representing |
| Affiliate Chamber Board Presidents |
|
| Jeremiah Terhark, Chair |
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce |
| Joe Bagnoli |
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Jim Baker |
Knoxville Chamber of Commerce |
| Joe Benesh |
Des Moines Chamber of Commerce |
| Brett Braafhart |
Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Carson Claypool |
Greater Newton Area of Chamber of Commerce |
| Shawn Comer |
Polk City Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Charlie Daugherty |
Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance |
| Maria Davis |
West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce |
| Lincoln Dix |
Bondurant Chamber of Commerce |
| Megan Garett |
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce |
| Dawn Guyer |
Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Ahmed Ibrahim |
Clive Chamber of Commerce |
| Mike Johnson |
Des Moines West Side Chamber of Commerce |
| Dr. Amanda Korth |
Bondurant Chamber of Commerce |
| Daniel Obley |
Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Steve Pedersen |
Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce |
| Aaron Rickelman |
Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Twila Shreves |
Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Gretchen Shrock |
Indianola Chamber of Commerce |
| Audi Sorber |
Perry Chamber of Commerce |
| Jon Stenzel |
Madison County Chamber of Commerce |
| Elizabeth VanGundy |
Johnston Chamber of Commerce |
| Chris Watkins |
Grimes Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Eric Williams |
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce |
| Affiliate Chamber Leaders |
|
| Jamie Anderson, Executive Director |
Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Megan Bennett, Executive Director |
Knoxville Chamber of Commerce |
| Jennifer Chittenden, President/CEO |
Grimes Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Nicole Collins, Executive Director |
Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce |
| Aly Davis, President & CEO |
Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Karen Eischen, Executive Director |
Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance |
| Mel Guanci, Executive Director |
Norwalk Area Chamber of Commerce |
| John Hall, President & CEO |
Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Katherine Harrington, President & CEO |
West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce |
| Katie Hentges, Executive Director |
Bondurant Chamber of Commerce |
| Melissa Horton, Executive Director |
Altoona Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Samantha Howell, Executive Director |
Johnston Chamber of Commerce |
| Rachael Kinnick, President & CEO |
Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Tiffany Menke, President |
Urbandale Chamber of Commerce |
| Erin Milroy, President |
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce |
| Jimmy Olsen, Executive Director |
Des Moines Chamber of Commerce |
| Shar Pardubsky, Executive Director |
Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Sarah Pugh, Executive Director |
Madison County Chamber of Commerce |
| Kristy Schmidt,Executive Director |
Clive Chamber of Commerce |
| Ella White, Executive Director |
Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce |
| |
Updated Oct. 2026 |
2026 Attraction and Retention Council
| Name |
Representing |
| Kailey Blazek Naranjo |
Dentons Davis Brown |
| Kara Calease |
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines |
| Allie Crist |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Emily DeKruif |
Nationwide |
| Becky DeStigler |
University of Iowa Health Care |
| Andrew Douglas |
ESO |
| Brenda Dudley |
Midwest Partnership |
| Hilary Frisvold |
Functional Proteins |
| Rachael Gray |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield |
| Margaret Hanson |
Dentons Davis Brown |
| Zach Harper |
Easterseals Iowa |
| Dakota Karthan |
The Weitz Company |
| Megan Lamfers |
F&G |
| Alison Luecht |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Matt McDonald |
Athene |
| Marina McMains |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Deidra Meyer |
Palmer Group |
| Dezi Michelson |
Proliant |
| Gladys Peterson |
ISG |
| Aaron Robinson |
Principal Financial Group |
| Stephanie Rohrer |
Fareway Stores, Inc. |
| Maura Saltzman |
Young Professionals Connection |
| Katherine Saunders |
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company |
| Katie Shields |
Forvis Mazars |
| Kira Stark |
UnityPoint Health |
| Shannon Tuhn |
CLA |
| |
Updated Feb. 2026 |
2026 Business Resources Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Melissa Ness, Chair |
Connectify HR |
| Eric White, Past Chair |
Estes Construction |
| Devin Boyer |
MidwestOne Bank |
| Riley Coy |
Dentons Davis Brown |
| Chad Ellsworth |
Iowa Bankers Association |
| Craig Erickson |
Shive-Hattery |
| Adnan Fazal |
UnityPoint Health |
| Wesley Greder |
Nyemaster Goode, P.C. |
| Jenica Johnson |
SBDC Mid America |
| Aaron Jones |
Belin McCormick, P.C. |
| Karen Kuhn |
Nationwide |
| Sara Larson |
West Bank |
| Kevin Lentz |
Anthologic |
| Jill Lippincott |
Principal Financial Group |
| Megan Pudenz |
Turner Construction Company |
| Betty Ridout |
Bankers Trust |
| Kimberly Stevenson |
Iowa Economic Development Authority |
| Joe Sweeney |
Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC |
| Cheryl Tuttle |
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) |
| Jade Vuong |
UHY Advisors |
| Dean Whitaker |
First National Bank |
| |
Updated Mar. 2026 |
2026 Communications Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Scott Gojkovich, Chair |
NCMIC |
| Sarah Anderson |
United Way of Central Iowa |
| Sarah Boese |
Polk County |
| Claire Brehmer |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Dr. Kelly Bruhn |
Drake University |
| Sarah Buckley |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Lauren Burt |
Kemin Industries, Inc. |
| Dawn Buzynski |
Hyvee, Inc. |
| Alison Cate |
ARAG North America, Inc. |
| Tori Clausen |
Athene |
| Ellen de Graffenreid |
Grinnell College |
| Debbie DeCamp |
Wellabee |
| Abby Delaney |
Bankers Trust |
| Angie Fagervik-Chia |
UnityPoint Health |
| Megan Grandgeorge |
Principal Financial Group |
| Megan Hanson |
Bravo Greater Des Moines |
| Kaitie Hartmann |
Great Outdoors Foundation & ICON Water Trails |
| Tina Hoffman |
The Mutual Group |
| Kassi Hoxmeier |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| Chris Irvine |
Oakridge Neighborhood |
| Angela Jiskoot |
F&G |
| Jacqueline Kiple |
John Deere Des Moines Works |
| Brock Konrad |
Catch Des Moines |
| Marianne Ksiazak |
Wells Fargo & Co. |
| Carter Lee |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Matthew Meyer |
Telligen |
| Erin Muir |
Bravo Greater Des Moines |
| Gunnar Olson |
Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization |
| Katie Petru |
Casey's General Stores, Inc. |
| Aaron Putze |
Iowa Soybean Association |
| Andi Reiff |
Ruan Transportation Management Systems |
| Sarah Ruba |
Dickinson Bradshaw |
| Sharyl Sauer |
Corteva Agriscience |
| Jackie Schmillen |
Iowa National Guard |
| Kiley Skadburg |
The Iowa Clinic, P.C. |
| Tracy Smith |
Mom's Meals | A PurFoods Company |
| Emily Toribio |
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines |
| Michele Waber |
Musco Sports Lighting |
| Kevin Waetke |
Sammons Financial Group |
| Sarah Welch |
Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority |
| Nancy Wiles |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Dan Winters |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| |
Updated Oct. 2026 |
2026 Downtown Economic Development Council
| Name |
Representing |
| Ajay Kalra, Chair |
CBRE |
| Justin Lossner, Past Chair |
JLL |
| Alex Amadeo |
ISG |
| Matt Anderson |
City of Des Moines |
| Jake Becker |
Olsson |
| Chad Bentzinger |
Nationwide |
| Jesse Bunney |
Lawmark Capital Inc. |
| Aaron Chittenden |
Des Moines Area Community College |
| Matt Coen |
RDG Planning & Design |
| Chris Costa |
Knapp Properties, Inc. |
| Chris Curran |
R&R Realty |
| Dan Drendel |
Slingshot Architecture |
| Tom Flynn |
Lessing-Flynn |
| Sean Fogarty |
ARTISAN Capital Group |
| David Ginger |
Belin McCormick, P.C. |
| David Gross |
Estes Construction |
| Kim Hagedorn |
Principal Financial Group |
| Jeff Hassman |
Harmonic Hospitality Group |
| Jeff Hatfield |
The Graham Group, Inc. |
| Sgt. Jason Hemsted |
Des Moines Police |
| Austin Herndon |
DLR Group |
| Phil Hodgin |
RDG Planning & Design |
| Aaron Hyde |
JLL |
| John Irving |
Tri-City Electric |
| Thomas Johnson |
BrownWinick Law Firm |
| Jon Kallen |
Jennings Kallen Advisors, LLC |
| Erin Knupp |
Beal Derkenne Construction |
| Carrie Kruse |
City of Des Moines |
| Kathryn Kunert |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Ron Maahs |
Trilix |
| Cory McAnelly |
Principal Financial Group |
| Luis Montoya |
Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority |
| Matt Moore |
Keen Project Solutions |
| Jimmy Olsen |
Des Moines Chamber of Commerce |
| Jonathan Ramsey |
BNIM |
| Carissa Schmidt |
Principal Financial Group |
| Matt Weller |
Hubbell Realty Group |
| |
Updated Aug. 2026 |
2026 Downtown Events Group Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Ashtin Hotek, Chair |
Veridian Credit Union |
| Julie Stewart, Vice Chair |
Prairie Meadows |
| Christina Prevette, Secretary |
UnityPoint Health |
| Hilary Ortmann, Treasurer |
Bankers Trust |
| Matt Callanan |
Belin McCormick, P.C. |
| Lesli Garcia |
Principal Financial Group |
| Tim Grabinski |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Andrew Heslinga |
Vital Signs Display Graphics |
| Laura Meinert |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Tiffany Tauscheck |
Greater Des Moines Partnership |
| |
Updated Jan. 2026 |
2026 DSM Executive Stewardship Council
| Name |
Representing |
| Mike McCoy, Chair |
|
| Steve Bruere |
Peoples Company |
| Ro Crosbie |
Tero International, Inc. |
| Dan Houston |
|
| Dan Keough |
Holmes Murphy |
| Kathryn Kunert |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Steve Lacy |
|
| Tom Mahoney |
|
| Gerry Neugent |
Knapp Properties |
| Bob Ritz |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| David Stark |
UnityPoint Health |
| Sean Vicente |
KPMG |
| |
Updated Oct. 2026 |
2026 DSM Workforce Collaborative
| Name |
Representing |
| Jodi Allan |
Collins Aerospace |
| Sara Bath |
IowaWorks |
| Annie Brandt |
Bank of America |
| Wade Britt |
Bâton Global |
| Dave Brown |
Baker Group |
| Tascha Brown |
Des Moines Public Schools |
| James Bruton |
Bâton Global |
| Kim Bustamante |
Goodwill of Central Iowa |
| Jennifer Chittenden |
Simpson College |
| Julia Clark |
City of Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency |
| Mary Cownie |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Megan Crawford |
Kreg Tool Company |
| Deidre DeJear |
Oakridge Neighborhood |
| Jennifer Downe |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Dawn Ealy |
Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service |
| Linda Fandel |
Iowa Workforce Development |
| Shannon Gerard |
Junior Achievement |
| Alex Hammer |
YMCA of Greater Des Moines |
| Melissa Heikes |
F&G |
| Mindi Heitland |
Waukee Community School District |
| Billi Hunt (non-voting) |
America's Cultivation Corridor |
| Amanda Husmann |
ChildServe |
| Jyll Johnson-Miner |
Johnston Community School District |
| Heather Keenan |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| David Klein |
JPMorganChase |
| Eric Kress |
Central Iowa Workforce Development Board |
| Megan Lamfers |
F&G |
| Kathy Leggett |
Iowa Workforce Development |
| Jenica Lensmeyer |
Iowa Bankers Association |
| Mary Luna-Duffy |
ISG |
| Kay Maher |
DMACC Workforce Training Academy |
| Doug Martin |
Amazon |
| Skylar Mayberry-Mayes |
The Jacobson Institute at Grand View University |
| Natalie McNaught |
UnityPoint Health |
| Heather Meissen |
Iowa Department of Education |
| Wendy Mihm-Herold |
iJAG |
| Noelle Nelson |
Talent Collective DSM |
| Jackie Norris |
Horizon Group |
| Kaity Patchett |
Capital Crossroads |
| Brandon Patterson |
Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines |
| Chad Pierce |
Iowa Workforce Development |
| Michelle Sams |
Wellabee |
| Kevin Schlueter |
Reworc |
| Jodie Smith |
Iowa Department of Education |
| Amy Steenhoek |
Ankeny Community School District |
| Telisha Stellick-Easton |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Dave Stitz |
McAninch Corporation |
| Grace Telling |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Araceli Villanueva |
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines |
| Teri Vos |
Pella Community School District |
| Ray Warner |
Aureon |
| Cal Wagner |
University of Iowa Tippie College of Business |
| Patty Williams |
Grand View University |
| Tom Willoughby |
Principal Financial Group |
| |
Updated Feb. 2026 |
2026 Economic Development Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Shelly Herr, Chair |
Musco Sports Lighting |
| Andy Anderson |
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP |
| Rob Bakker |
U.S. Bank |
| Doug Beech |
Casey's General Stores, Inc. |
| Renee Begley |
Collins Aerospace |
| Jim Bowman |
Iowa Interstate Railroad |
| Mackenzie Bracken |
EFCO |
| Lauren Burt |
Kemin Industries |
| Nick Callison |
UHY Advisors |
| Mary Clayton |
IMT Insurance |
| Dustyn Curran |
Ryan Companies |
| Beth Danowsky |
Musco Sports Lighting |
| Tej Dhawan |
Plains Angels |
| Michael Elam |
Delta Dental of Iowa |
| Nick Gerhart |
Homesteaders Life Company |
| Nick Honkamp |
DMOS Orthopaedic Centers |
| John Irving |
Tri-City Electric |
| Mark Kraft |
Van Meter Inc. |
| Carrie Kruse |
City of Des Moines |
| Kathryn Kunert |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Josh Laraby |
City of Johnston |
| Zach Loy |
Turner Construction Company |
| Tami Madsen |
Central Iowa Water Works |
| Frank Marasco |
Polk County |
| Brent Mathisen |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Sean McAleer |
Tension Corporation |
| Cory McAnelly |
Principal Financial Group |
| Tim McCulloh |
Holmes Murphy |
| Ginger Miller |
Corteva Agriscience |
| Brian Mulcahy |
Des Moines International Airport |
| Dylan Mullenix |
Des Moines Area Metro Planning Organization |
| Jackie Nickolaus |
Microsoft |
| Jon Norton |
Andersen Windows, Storm Door Division |
| Jolly Omar |
City of Pleasant Hill |
| Julie Pearce |
Iowa Department of Insurance & Financial Services |
| Nick Peterson |
Alliant Energy |
| Joe Pietruszynski |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Joel Pitz |
Principal Financial Group |
| John Rathjen |
Bank Iowa Corporation |
| Nate Reagen |
Drake University |
| Jason Stone |
Dentons Davis Brown |
| Mike Tousley |
The Weitz Company |
| Amber Valentine |
JLL |
| Christian Walk |
Global Atlantic |
| Ray Warner |
Aureon |
| |
Updated April 2026 |
2026 Economic Development Practitioners
| Name |
Representing |
| Josh Laraby, Co-Chair |
City of Johnston |
| Jolly Omar, Co-Chair |
City of Pleasant Hill |
| Jake Anderson |
City of Grimes |
| Kathy Anderson |
Iowa Workforce Development |
| Craig Armstrong |
City of Newton |
| Whitney Baethke |
City of Des Moines |
| Kate Bowermaster |
Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Jim Bowman |
Iowa Interstate Railroad |
| Jennifer Brown |
City of Waukee |
| Jake Buchanan |
Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Breann Bye |
City of Des Moines |
| Chris Cataldo |
City of Norwalk |
| Aaron Chittenden |
Des Moines Area Community College |
| Andrew Clark |
Clarke County Development Corporation |
| John Cook |
City of Dallas Center |
| Jeff Davidson |
Jasper County Economic Development |
| Michael Delp |
City of West Des Moines |
| Deann De Groot |
Mahaska Chamber and Development Group |
| Pete De Kock |
City of Clive |
| Aaron DeJong |
City of Urbandale |
| Kim Didier |
Des Moines Area Community College |
| Emily Donahue |
City of Norwalk |
| Brenda Dudley |
Midwest Partnership |
| Karen Eischen |
Pella Area Community & Economic Alliance |
| Alex Ferneau |
Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Rachel Gocken |
Warren County Economic Development Corporation |
| Michael Gould |
Iowa Economic Development Authority |
| Grace Grob |
Greater Dallas County Development Alliance |
| John Hall |
Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce |
| Naomi Hamlett |
City of Des Moines |
| Katie Hernandez |
City of Des Moines |
| Bryce Johnson |
City of Indianola |
| Dennis Jordan |
Alliant Energy |
| Carrie Kruse |
City of Des Moines |
| Kathryn Kunert |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Jamie Letzring |
City of West Des Moines |
| Frank Liebl |
Newton Development Corporation |
| Tai Lieu |
City of Norwalk |
| Derek Lord |
City of Ankeny |
| Katie Lord |
City of Grimes |
| Tiffany Luing |
City of Bondurant |
| Deven Markley |
City of Carlisle |
| Ryan Marquardt |
Madison County Development Group |
| Jacob Meshke |
City of Indianola |
| Erin Milroy |
Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce |
| Ryan Moffatt |
City of West Des Moines |
| Corey Morrison |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Brad Munford |
City of West Des Moines |
| Maggie Murray |
City of Bondurant |
| Luke Nelson |
City of Norwalk |
| Dan Nieland |
Marion County Development Commission |
| Nora Noonan |
Marion County Development Commission |
| Marketa Oliver |
City of Bondurant |
| Nick Peterson |
Alliant Energy |
| Sven Peterson |
City of Perry |
| Adam Plagge |
City of Windsor Heights |
| Chandler Poole |
City of Des Moines |
| Chad Quick |
City of Altoona |
| Mark Reinig |
Iowa State University/CIRAS |
| Amber Rodgers |
Iowa Economic Development Authority |
| Kim Schaaf |
Ankeny Economic Development Corporation |
| Liesl Seabert |
University of Northern Iowa |
| Ethan Standard |
City of Johnston |
| Melissa Strovers |
Poweshiek Economic Development Collaborative |
| Madeline Sturms |
City of Pleasant Hill |
| Kelly Swenson |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Nick Tarpey |
City of Des Moines |
| Curt Thornberry |
Lake Panorama |
| Alexandria Valster |
City of Oskaloosa |
| Rachel Wacker |
Greater Dallas County Development Alliance |
| Christopher Warkins |
City of Knoxville |
| Troy Weary |
ITC Midwest |
| Ebonee Woods |
City of Urbandale |
| Hollie Zajicek |
City of Norwalk |
| Ella Zaputil |
City of Waukee |
| |
Updated Aug. 2026 |
2026 Entrepreneurship Coalition
| Name |
Representing |
| Tej Dhawan, Co-Chair |
Plains Angels |
| Diana Wright, Co-Chair |
Greater Des Moines Partnership |
| James Altamirano |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Alison Doyle |
Iowa State University - Digital Ag Innovation Lab |
| Nadilia Gomez |
Iowa State University CTO for Precision & Digital Ag |
| Bailey Hawn |
OpenLoop Health |
| Jessica Hyland |
Iowa Bio |
| Andrew Kirpalani |
Iowa State University Startup Factory |
| Jacob Kruse |
Security Benefit |
| Anne McMahon |
Iowa Economic Development Authority |
| Nancy Mwirotsi |
Pi515 |
| Ethan Pitt |
Iowa Area Development Group |
| Bob Riley |
Riley Resource Group |
| Micah Walker |
InnoVenture Iowa |
| Kaylee Williams |
InnoVenture Iowa |
| Geoff Wood |
Gravitate Coworking |
| Tyler Wyngarden |
Technology Association of Iowa |
| |
Updated Jan. 2026 |
2026 Inclusion Council
| Name |
Representing |
| Mak Sućeska, Chair |
Global Neighbors, Polk County |
| Nyra Bottley |
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines |
| Annie Brandt |
Bank of America |
| Emily Brown |
Berkshire Hathaway Energy |
| Mindy Burr |
Easterseals Iowa |
| Kim Bustamante |
Goodwill of Central Iowa |
| Miguel Angel Castellanos |
Young Professionals Connection |
| Felicia Chumley |
UnityPoint Health |
| Sara Donovan |
Broadlawns Medical Center |
| Kai Gillespie |
Bankers Trust |
| Tim Greene |
Athene |
| James Jackson |
Nationwide |
| Adriana Johnson |
GreenState Credit Union |
| Annette Jorden |
LCS |
| Tim Knepper |
Drake University |
| Leah Lint |
F&G |
| Amy Markham |
Iowa Workforce Development |
| Allie Martinez |
Simpson College |
| Kay Oskvig |
Whitfield & Eddy Law |
| Manisha Paudel |
City of Des Moines |
| Taylor Peterson |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| Alex Piedras |
Grand View University |
| Rene Piñon |
Hilton Des Moines Downtown |
| Missy Quaid |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| Marc Reed |
Grinnell College |
| Eric Shepard |
MidAmerican Energy Company |
| Marcia Treichel |
JPMorganChase |
| Yeymi Tobar |
Krause Group |
| Henrique Valim |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Daniel Van Sant |
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement |
| Veronica White |
Corteva Agriscience |
| |
Updated Sept. 2026 |
2026 Marketing Committee
| Name |
Representing |
| Sara Brown |
Business Publications Corporation |
| Amanda Carstens Steward |
Athene |
| Kim Connors |
McGill Junge Wealth Management |
| Michele Farrell |
Connectify HR |
| Matthew Goodman |
Valpak |
| Tiffany Hamil |
Anthologic |
| Mandi Hunter |
Principal Financial Group |
| Amber Jordan |
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. |
| Kendra Kelly |
Meyocks |
| Andy Lashier |
Lashier Graphics & Signs |
| Jenica Lensmeyer |
Iowa Bankers Association |
| Craig Mosher |
John Deere |
| Kate McCartan |
UnityPoint Health |
| Lydia Nevins |
Delta Dental |
| Molly Olsasky |
Mediacom Communications Corporation |
| Cassandra Pudenz |
Lessing-Flynn |
| Alex Rich |
Trilix |
| Jess Schnieders |
Maclyn DSM |
| Cara Shindler |
Gilbert & Cook, Inc. |
| Greg Stieber |
LOCALiQ |
| |
Updated July 2026 |
2026 Operation Downtown Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Angie Pfannkuch, Chair |
Sidekick Development |
| Cheryl Moore, Vice Chair |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Kim Hagedorn, Secretary |
Principal Financial Group |
| Jeff Hatfield, Treasurer |
The Graham Group, Inc. |
| Chris Della Vedova, Ex-Officio, Past Chair |
Confluence |
| Carrie Kruse, Guest |
City of Des Moines |
| Jeff Aldrich |
Principal Financial Group |
| Jesse Bunney |
Lawmark Capital Inc. |
| Lauren Burgeson |
Iowa State Bank |
| Lisa Coate |
Nationwide |
| Scott Cooley |
R &R Realty Group |
| Igor Dobrosavljević |
Grand Consulting |
| Holly Ernst |
Principal Financial Group |
| Kevin Farley |
Principal Financial Group |
| Phil Fitzgerald |
UnityPoint Health |
| Jim Grant |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| TJ Jacobs |
CBRE |
| Kevin Kain |
DCI Group |
| Karen Karr |
BrownWinick Law Firm |
| Randy Minear |
Terrus Real Estate Group |
| Andy Moffitt |
Ryan Companies |
| Chad Rasmussen |
Christensen Development |
| Amy Reimers |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| John Schwechel |
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines |
| Jennele Swalla |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| Chris Terhark |
Deloitte |
| Brian Tessau |
Nationwide |
| Jon Wilke |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| |
Updated Oct. 2026 |
2026 Public Relations Committee
| Name |
Representing |
| Lee Ann Bakros |
Des Moines Community Playhouse |
| Chris Conetzkey |
Business Publications Corporation |
| Lisa Crandall |
UnityPoint Health – Des Moines |
| Nocona Dayton |
Tri-City Electric |
| Baillee Furst |
Flynn Wright |
| Jess Guess |
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines |
| Kelsey Hanson |
Anthologic |
| Matt Hauge |
Polk County Housing Trust Fund |
| Kristin Hurd |
Hurd Real Estate |
| Annie Juelsgaard |
Casey's General Stores, Inc. |
| Denise Lamphier |
Des Moines University |
| Hilary Ortmann |
Bankers Trust |
| Tim Paluch |
LifeServe Blood Center |
| Teresa Roof |
Mom's Meals | A PurFoods Company |
| Michael Scebold |
Principal Financial Group |
| Elizabeth Sporrer |
Vermeer Corporation |
| Laura Vanden Bosch |
Strategic America |
| Ryan Young |
Mediacom Communications Corporation |
| |
Updated Jan. 2026 |
2026 Talent Development Board
| Name |
Representing |
| Michael Anderson, Chair |
Principal Financial Group |
| Kelsey Bolton |
Simpson College |
| Beth Coonan |
Dentons Davis Brown |
| Teresa Deitch |
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| Jim Denholm |
Lincoln Savings Bank |
| Jesse Drew |
Mom's Meals | A PurFoods Company |
| Laurie Dufoe |
Drake University Law School |
| Crystal Franke |
Ruan Transportation Management Systems |
| Kellie Gottner |
Connectify HR |
| Christi Gustafson |
Nationwide |
| Cara Hannam |
EveryStep |
| Kelly Harris |
Grinnell College |
| Chris Lorenz |
Palmer Group |
| Sheena Mahan |
NCMIC |
| Steve McCullough |
Iowa Student Loan |
| Wendy Mihm-Herold |
iJAG |
| Naomi Myers |
The Mutual Group |
| John Noll |
CDS Global |
| Ryan Osborn |
Junior Achievement of Central Iowa |
| Lisa Remy |
School Administrators of Iowa |
| Karen Rieck |
Farm Bureau Financial Services |
| Matt Romkey |
Mercy College of Health Sciences |
| Jackie Rowlow |
SHAZAM, Inc. |
| Katherine Saunders |
American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company |
| Kristy Schmidt |
Clive Chamber of Commerce |
| Angela Sharp |
Athene |
| Katie Shields |
Forvis Mazars |
| Stacy Sime |
LifeServe Blood Center |
| Danielle Snook |
Fareway Stores |
| Rachael Sorci-Hodges |
Hubbell Realty Company |
| Matt Spackman |
EMC Insurance Companies |
| COL Randall Stanford |
Iowa National Guard |
| Dr. Sue Stuebner |
Simpson College |
| Brooke Thrasher |
MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center |
| Dr. Joe Valenzano |
Drake University |
| Ben Vallier |
The Iowa Clinic, P.C. |
| Liv Wendt |
Young Professionals Connection |
| Sammy Widener |
UnityPoint Health |
| Sara Wille |
Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines |
| Amanda Wuest |
F&G |
| |
Updated Aug. 2026 |
2026 Young Professionals Connection
| Name |
Position |
| Reilly Smidt |
President |
| Alex Gillach |
President-Elect |
| Cecily Robinson |
Past President |
| James Van Diest |
Secretary and Treasurer |
| Carley Yoder-Singer |
Community Engagement Director |
| Megan Hurd |
Communications Director |
| Amit Mahapatra |
Professional Development Chair |
| Shiven Sinha |
Volunteer Chair |
| Amelia Arku |
Civic Chair |
| Liv Wendt |
Social Chair |
| Sammie Wampler |
Athletics Coordinator |
| Abhishek Gaur |
Social Media Coordinator |
| Bryan Stewart |
Impact Downtown Chair |
| Miguel Angel Castellanos |
Diversity & Culture Chair |
| Lauren Hilton |
Digital Coordinator |
| Maura Saltzman |
Membership Chair |
| |
Updated Jan. 2026 |