Lead DSM

Some connections pick right back up no matter how much time has passed. Join us on June 24 for the Lead DSM Annual Alumni Reunion as we reconnect with alumni from across programs and generations for an evening of community, conversation, and celebration. The evening will also include recognition of this year’s A. Arthur Davis and Workplace Community Leadership Award recipients. Whether it’s been a few months or a few years since your program experience, we’d love to see you there. Register today - https://lnkd.in/gnPdi7sG

Some of the most important opportunities in our careers come from relationships. Not because we handed someone a business card, but because we built trust, connection, and confidence over time. Our upcoming leadership workshop "Connect with Confidence" facilitated by Carissa Rainey is designed for professionals who want to strengthen the way they communicate, network, and build relationships in authentic and meaningful ways. Whether you are stepping into leadership, growing your career, or simply trying to feel more confident in professional spaces, this session will offer practical tools you can use right away. Join us on July 9. Register here → https://leaddsm.org/events

Congratulations to Erica Axiotis (GDMLI ’12), Dwana Bradley (GDMLI ’18), and Susan Fitzsimmons (GDMLI ’08) on being named 2026 Women of Influence honorees by the Des Moines Business Record. This recognition celebrates women who are making a meaningful impact through leadership, service, and community involvement across Central Iowa. We’re proud to see these alumni recognized for the many ways they continue to lead, advocate, and strengthen Greater Des Moines. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor.

Congratulations to Steve Lacy (GDMLI ’85) on his confirmation to the Iowa Board of Regents. We’re proud to see alumni like Steve continuing to help shape the future of education and leadership across our state. Congratulations on this well-deserved appointment. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gU4nyAyT

Congratulations to Erin Hockman (GDMLI ’20) on being named the next CEO of the DART - Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority. We’re proud to see alumni like Erin leading organizations that help connect and strengthen Greater Des Moines every day. Congratulations on this exciting next chapter, Erin. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gdQ94KMt

Join fellow Lead DSM alumni for a behind-the-scenes experience at On With Life and get a firsthand look at how one organization is redefining recovery, care, and community impact for individuals and families navigating neurological trauma. This is more than a tour. It’s an opportunity to hear powerful stories, explore innovative spaces, and experience the kind of leadership that happens quietly every day through compassion, service, and human connection. From immersive therapy spaces to conversations with staff and leadership, this experience offers a rare look at the people and systems helping others rebuild their lives and embrace a new normal with dignity and support. Register here → https://leaddsm.org/events

Last week’s leadership workshop with Jon Sexton, PhD challenged participants to think differently about what leadership actually looks like in practice. One statistic that stayed with many in the room: only 23% of people are engaged at work and 58% leave because of their manager. Leadership has a lasting impact. The conversation was honest, practical, and grounded in the reality that leadership is not about titles or authority. It is about trust, self-awareness, communication, and the ability to positively influence the people around you every day. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such thoughtful discussion and reflection. Our next leadership workshop takes place July 9 with Carissa Rainey. "Connect with Confidence" will focus on practical networking tools and strategies to help you build stronger professional relationships and communicate with greater confidence. Register here → https://leaddsm.org/events

Congratulations to the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2026. Over the past nine months, you’ve challenged perspectives, built meaningful connections, and demonstrated what leadership looks like in action. We’re proud of this class and excited to see how you continue to lead across Greater Des Moines. Our graduates: Ryan Boatman, Gilbert & Cook, Inc. Emmie Brady, OPN Architects Mike Brooks, The Samuels Group Miranda Caldwell, Newton Village Jack Chimbetete, CultureALL Charlie Cowell, RDG Planning & Design Katie Das, Sustainable Iowa Land Trust Mackenzie Dierks-Helland, ITA Group Paul R. Dudley, Diamond Animal Health Hailey Evans, Business Publications Corp. Lisa Grefe, First Community Trust Elizabeth Heffernan, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. Olesya Holker, HHD Production, LLC Jordan Juhl Marcon, Iowa Hospital Association Sam Kessel, Bolton & Menk Megan Kruger, SHAZAM Amy Landrigan, The Beacon Tony Leo, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa Jen Lindberg, Brown Winick Law Firm Jamie Loggins-Evans, Project IOWA Lisa Mapes, Deloitte TJ Meyerholz, Ryan Companies Jill Molyneux, Bankers Trust Prisca Mugunga, Nisaa African Family Services Amber Pringnitz, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Adam Rich, Athene Mallory Riesberg, Lead DSM Allison Riley, Des Moines Area MPO Stacey Robles, Greater Des Moines Partnership Maddie Rocha Smith, One Iowa Leah Rudolphi, Substance Architecture Jessica Samuelson, The Stelter Company Lindsay Schlatter, R&R Realty Group Madeline Schmitt, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Paul Schut, Marco Technologies Kayla Sherwood, The Waldinger Corporation Kate Simon, Dentons Davis Brown Amy Snyder, Amazon Kyra Sorenson, Iowa Health & Human Services Damion Spilman, SVPA Architects Rachelle Talbott, United Way of Central Iowa Mark Thompson, Neumann Brothers, Inc. Melissa Veenstra, Raise the Bar Initiative Meredith Williams, Casey's Addison Williamson, Des Moines Area MPO

Last night, we had the opportunity to celebrate the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2026 as they crossed the stage and officially joined the Lead DSM alumni network. Graduation is more than the closing of a program. It reflects months of learning, challenge, conversation, and growth. Throughout the year, this class explored the many systems that shape Greater Des Moines while building the relationships, perspective, and leadership skills needed to create meaningful impact in the community. From difficult conversations to capstone work and deep community exploration, this cohort showed what it means to lead with curiosity, purpose, and commitment to something bigger than themselves. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, and our graduation sponsor, ISG, for investing in leadership development and helping make this experience possible. We are also grateful to the many organizations and individuals who supported sessions throughout the year including Amazon, Riley Resource Group, KPMG, RDG Planning & Design, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Goodwill of Central Iowa, Neumann Brothers, Ryan Companies US, Inc., The Weitz Company, Nyemaster Goode, P.C., UHY-US, MODUS Engineering, Merchants Bonding Company, Blank Park Zoo, Alan Feirer, and Felsburg Holt & Ullevig. Your support helped shape an experience that challenged and inspired this class from beginning to end. A special thank you to the Des Moines Playhouse for hosting us and providing a space worthy of celebrating this milestone. And to our volunteers, planners, speakers, sponsors, and community partners, thank you. This program exists because of the time, expertise, and energy so many people pour into developing leaders across Greater Des Moines. We are proud of this class and excited to see how they continue to lead in the communities where they live, work, and serve.

Last week, our Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute participants took time to reflect and look ahead during our Your Next Steps session at Blank Park Zoo. The day focused on what comes next. Participants reflected on their growth, set goals, and considered how they will continue to lead in their organizations and across Greater Des Moines. From reflection to action, the message was clear. Take what you’ve learned and put it into motion. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, and our session sponsors, Blank Park Zoo, Merchants Bonding Company, and MHCS, for supporting this experience. We look forward to seeing how this class continues to lead.