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Inclusion Summit

The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host the 13th annual Inclusion Summit: Advancing Workforce and Workplaces on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown. This daylong summit will bring together executives and leaders from around the region to explore strategies, tools and resources that support economic growth, stronger talent pipelines and more welcoming workplaces across the region.

Secure Your Spot at the 2025 Inclusion Summit

The annual event is designed for employers who are Investors, Affiliates or Regional Business Members of The Partnership and are committed to advancing economic growth in the workplace and community.

2025 Keynote Speaker

Papia Debroy

Papia Debroy, Chief Impact Officer at Opportunity@Work: Debroy leads national efforts to expand opportunities for the 70+ million U.S. workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) rather than bachelor's degrees. A nationally recognized expert on skills and the labor market, her research and insights have been featured in The New York Times, NPR’s “Marketplace” and Congressional testimony, helping to shape the transition toward a more inclusive, skills-based economy.

2025 Inclusion Summit: Advancing Workforce and Workplaces Agenda

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.: Registration & Check-in

11:00 - 11:10 a.m.: Opening Remarks

Jenae Sikkink, Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Inclusive Strategies, Greater Des Moines Partnership
Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership

11:10 - Noon: Keynote Speaker

Papia Debroy, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro & Chief Impact Officer, Opportunity@WORK

Noon: Networking Lunch

12:30 - 12:50 p.m.: Fireside Chat: Building Career Pathways with The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective

Moderator: Marcy Baker, Vice President, Sammons Financial Group

Panelists will include:

Students from Avenue Scholars, Des Moines
Students from iJAG

12:50 - 1:30 p.m.: Workforce Readiness Accelerated: Building Talent through Alternative Routes

Moderator: Kaity Patchett, Executive Director, Capital Crossroads

Panelists will include:

Vivian Barcelo, Employee Experience & Inclusion Manager, Bankers Trust
Dr. Tim Laurent, Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, Mercy College of Health Sciences

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.: Partnerships to Support Talent Acquisition Strategies

Moderator: Mak Sućeska, Director, Global Neighbors

Panelists will include:

Almardi Abdalla, Vice President Family and Workforce Programs, Oakridge Neighborhood
Kay Maher, Program Coordinator, DMACC Workforce Training Academy
Kimberly Bustamante, Director of Human Resources, Goodwill of Central Iowa
Nicholas Wuertz, Director of Refugee Services, LSI

2:15 - 2:30 p.m.: Networking Break

2:30 - 3:15 p.m.: Accessible Work Environments for Integrated Employment

Moderator: Daniel Van Sant, Director of Disability Policy, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement

Panelists will include:

Bettina Dolinsek, Digital Accessibility Analyst, Nationwide
Marcela Hermosillo-Tarin, Division Human Resources Director, Discovery Senior Living
Amy Markham, Disability Workforce Manager, Iowa Workforce Development
Kay Oskvig, Member Attorney, Whitfield & Eddy Law

3:15 p.m.: Closing Remarks

2025 Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for making the Inclusion Summit possible.

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Young Professionals Sponsor

Bronze

Get Involved

Interested in getting involved? Reach out to Kathryn Smith, Director of Community Engagement at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, for more information on available sponsorship opportunities.

ksmith@DSMpartnership.com | (515) 286-4914

Regional Summit

Get connected with community, business and civic leaders from across DSM to connect, learn and collaborate on forward-thinking solutions.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor an Event

Discover unique opportunities to support and connect with the community by sponsoring an event.

Annual Dinner

Learn about The Partnership's marquee event which features a dinner, a keynote speaker and networking for The Partnership Investors.