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Youth Leadership Initiative

Applications for YLI 2027 are open!

What is YLI?

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) empowers future leaders to step into leadership today - shaping the community they will inherit tomorrow. Through hands-on experiences and exposure to real community issues, this eight-month, tuition-free program equips high-potential high school students to build confidence, skills, and perspective as they ready themselves to make a difference in Greater Des Moines.

Through YLI, students will: 

  • Develop leadership, communication, and professional skills
  • Explore careers and community challenges through real‑world learning
  • Learn directly from local business and community leaders
  • Participate in one full‑day session per month during the school day (October–May)
  • Have the opportunity to earn DMACC college credit

Who should apply?

Students with plenty of room to grow! Participants who gain the most from YLI are:

  • Ready to learn about their community and how they can shape its future.
  • Enthusiastic about building professional skills and gaining exposure to possible career paths.
  • Open to exploring their leadership potential, perhaps having had few previous opportunities.
  • Sincere about forming connections with fellow students and mentors from across Greater Des Moines.
  • Eager to gain confidence, step outside their comfort zones, and learn about themselves.

Do you know someone who fits this description? Recommend them today. 

Application Process

  • Applications for YLI Class of 2027 are open through April 5.   Apply today! 
  • For more information including tips for applying, check out our Application Aid.
  • Notification of students selected for the next YLI cohort will be completed before the end of the current school year.
  • Contact us with questions about the program.

Program Details

  • Each YLI cohort is comprised of approximately 40 high school students from both public and private schools across the Greater Des Moines area.
  • Eligible students will be in 10th-12th grade going into the next academic year.
  • Sessions take place during the school day one Friday per month and occasional Monday evenings from October through May.
  • The program is tuition-free, thanks to generous support from people and organizations who believe in the leadership potential of youth. There is a $40 program acceptance fee should a student be accepted into the program. It is important that cost not be a barrier to any accepted student's participation. Those accepted into the program can have this fee waived.
  • Students can earn up to 4 DMACC college credits through completion of all YLI program requirements.

Alumni Resources

 

YLI Class of 2026:

Macy Bechtel, Valley High School

Randy Brito-Alegria, Roosevelt High School

Lillian Carlson, Indianola High School

Andrew Cathey, Ankeny Christian Academy

Anisha Choudhary, Waukee Northwest High School

Lucy Clayton, Carlisle High School

Isla Corron, Ankeny Centennial High School

Michael Daniels III, Roosevelt High School

Dhwani Dinakar, Ankeny Centennial High School

Sloan Edwards, Des Moines Christian School

Molly Gifford, Waukee High School

Sam Gifford, Waukee High School

Luwam Hadgu, Waukee Northwest High School

Lakshmi Kommineni, Waukee Northwest High School

My Lam, Dowling Catholic High School

Evan Lambert, Central Academy

Aiden Leiran, Urbandale High School

Luke Leo, Dowling Catholic High School

William Lunders, Urbandale High School

Lauren Maier, North Polk High School

Tabitha Mauss, Southeast Polk High School

Evan Mayberry, Waukee Northwest High School

Dah Meh, Hoover High School

Nirmal Melam, Roosevelt High School

Addison Meyer, Ankeny High School

Alivia Middlekauff, Dowling Catholic High School

Pia Nagar, Ankeny Centennial High School

Julian Nicolino, Roosevelt High School

Sanjana Payawala, Urbandale High School

Kaiser Pradhan, Waukee Northwest High School

Jocelyn Ramirez, Southeast Polk High School

Samuel Raymond, Dowling Catholic High School

Kaden Rial, Roosevelt High School

Abigail Shaka, Urbandale High School

Amina Tica, Southeast Polk High School

Matthew Urness, Johnston High School

Jasmine Wee, Roosevelt High School

Valerie Young, Ankeny High School

Testimonials

"The leadership skills that I have gotten to witness and experience though YLI are greater than I ever could’ve imagined. I have been fortunate to be able to interact with amazing community leaders and learn from their experiences. My communication and interpersonal skills have gotten stronger from interacting with my mentors and learning from them. The skills I have gained and improved upon relate heavily to the five leadership practices, in which I have become better at identifying in my everyday life. I will be able to use these attributes as I continue to go after my personal and professional goals."

-Charlie, YLI Class of 2019

"YLI has changed my mindset, my point of view, my insight on things, and my options for the better. YLI gives the experiences of a lifetime and leads to other opportunities for high schoolers that you may not get anywhere else in Des Moines. YLI has taught me that I have to speak up and share my opinions on what I love."

-Riziki, YLI Class of 2019

"In the last 5 years, I have met with many capable smart young people. In working with them, I have realized that even though most have good grades, they lack other life skills. Good grades alone can’t get them scholarships and ready for future jobs. They will need leadership, service and character to help them secure great opportunities and that is what YLI offers. YLI has helped my daughter enhance her other skills and I truly appreciate the opportunity that my child has been given through YLI."

-Nancy, Riziki's Mom

Thank you to the sponsors of the Youth Leadership Initiative!

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