Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute prepares leaders from across Central Iowa to be effective stewards for our community's future. The nine-month curriculum offers a view of Greater Des Moines from different vantage points, heightens participant awareness of current community conditions and issues, enhances individual and group leadership skills, and helps class members see themselves as partners for change.

Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2027

Dontreale Anderson, SEEDS
Lalonyo AnyaCeng, Cleaning for Hope
Megan Ball, BrownWinick Law
Barrett Bierschenk, Dentons Davis Brown
Catie Boyd, CLA
Caleb Brus, BrownWinick Law
Kayla Burkett, Metro Waste Authority
Kelly Campbell, Dept. of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration
Shaneice Coleman, Woodward Community Based Services
Ben Curtis, Eocene Environmental Group, Inc.
Madison Dierks, Confluence
Judy Downs, Dress for Success Des Moines
Natalie Estrem, Lutheran Services in Iowa- Global Greens
Chris Fitzgerald, Bankers Trust
Liz Fleming, Liz From Iowa Digital Media
Nick Frederiksen, ISG
Brittany Freeman, Iowa Credit Union League
Tatiana Giacinti, Red Dot
Ryan Iburg, Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Sam Irwin, BCC Advisers
David Jennings, Principal
Madison Lawless, Sammons Financial Group
Casey Lewis, Bening Financial

Lori McClure, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Emily Mendez, Proteus, Inc.
Libby Nichols, ITA Group
Maureen Onyeziri, WesleyLife
Jake Parks, Emerson Electric
Brandon Pollard, IMPACT Community Action Partnership
Lane Pralle, RDG Planning and Design
Tony Raymer, Easterseals Iowa
Emily Rizvić, Confluence
Nick Ross, The Weitz Company
Andy Rushenberg, Foster Group
Cory Schoenherr, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
Mikal Settle, United Way of Central Iowa
Julie Solis-Alvarado, Belin McCormick PC
Andy Stefanik, Athene
David Sternquist, Waldinger Corporation
Rizan Torhala, RizanCare
Rick Trower, Neumann Brothers, Inc.
Lacey Van Oort, Amazon
Jacob White, Primary Health Care
Sara Wodka, Talent Collective DSM
Luke Zielinski, Brick Gentry, P.C.

Nomination and Application Schedule

Nominations for the Class 2028 are open: Nominate a leader here!
March 10, 2026 - April 3, 2026: Invitations to apply for Class of 2027 extended (all who are nominated are invited to apply).
May - June: Class selection and invitations to participate in the class extended.
August - May: Program takes place.

Participants and Selection

Each year, leaders from private, public and non-profit sectors of the community are selected to participate in this transformational program. Ideal candidates have demonstrated some level of community leadership experience and are committed to community engagement.

All nominated candidates will be invited to apply. When completing the application, careful, thorough responses are encouraged in order to ensure the Selection Committee has enough information to judge fit for the program and dedication to community leadership development. The long-standing Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is highly competitive and many candidates apply more than once.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes leadership development training and exposure to community issues through experiential learning, expert presentations, and class discussions. The three pillars of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute include:

Issue and Opportunity Awareness

Leadership Development

Creativity for Change

Participant Expectations

Active class member participation ensures a rich experience for the individual as well as for the entire cohort. For that reason, participants are held to a strict attendance policy. A program schedule will be provided to those who are nominated for the program, so they may ensure they are able to participate. To receive the most benefit from the class experience and to fully complete program expectations, participants should expect a significant time commitment over the nine-month program. Class members will participate in*:

10 partial-day classes (6.5 hours) held every three weeks.
1 evening orientation, 1 two-day opening retreat, 1 two-day capstone experience, 1 full-day commencement.
Prework between sessions.
Periodic small group meetings that take place outside of sessions.
Periodic optional tours that take place outside of sessions.
Capstone work occurs in March and includes meetings outside of regular sessions. This time may be significant, so please consider that before applying.

*Subject to change.

Cost

The cost to participate in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is $3,350*. It is important that cost not be a barrier to any qualified candidate's participation. Those accepted into the program will have an opportunity to apply for financial assistance, including full and partial scholarships.

*Subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

What is the time commitment?

What is the attendance policy?

Opening Retreat, Capstone, and Graduation are mandatory sessions.
A class member can miss no more than two classes (total). Class members must make-up both missed classes to graduate.
Participants will also be counted absent if they arrive 30 minutes after the class has started or exit 30 minutes prior to the official dismissal.
Extreme circumstances can be appealed to the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Chairs and Executive Director.

What is the dress code?

Who is in the class and how are they selected?

Are scholarships available?

Who governs the program?

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Committee of volunteers plans and executes the program in collaboration with Lead DSM staff. The Board of Governors, in conjunction with the executive director, oversee the committees and all other aspects of the organization. All committees are made up of alumni volunteers who donate their time to create fulfilling leadership experiences for participants.

Who has graduated from the program?

What can I expect upon graduation?

The Lead DSM experience doesn't end with graduation from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. In fact, it is only the beginning! Lead DSM is a lifelong association of community-oriented professionals who strive to make Greater Des Moines a better place. Alumni continue to support Lead DSM through board service, committee participation, mentoring, alumni programming, financial support, and by taking on important leadership roles in our community.

Testimonials

I'm not quite sure the words to use to describe my experience with the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. It was long, difficult, and at times exhausting but I know I grew as a person, and as a leader in this community. And for that, I'd do it all over again. I'm better informed and feel more confident than I ever have to play an effective role in my community. The information and conservations challenged me. I learned a great deal in 9 months and my classmates helped change me.

Phonsavanh Sullins (GDMLI '20),

Businessolver

The program was one of the best experiences of my life. It takes wild promise and channels it where it can make a difference!

Bo James (GDMLI '18),

Hip-Hope, Inc.

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute was an exhilarating and transformational experience for me. My biggest takeaway was being exposed to and being given the opportunity to work on common goals with high-performing individuals of various professions and industries I otherwise would not work with. Doing so allowed me to think more out-of-the-box, and become much more inclusive and open to other perspectives and approaches to achieve a common goal. I would highly recommend the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute to anyone interested in furthering their leadership development and making their community a better place.