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Youth Leadership Initiative

What is YLI?

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) releases untapped potential in the next generation of community leaders. This untapped potential is released as students learn skills that propel them into their next steps of life and as they embrace their roles as shapers of a community where their dreams can be realized.

High school students get out of the classroom and into real-life learning experiences throughout Greater Des Moines. Their teachers are local business and community experts. Their subjects are opportunities and challenges in our region. Their lessons teach self, group, professional, and community leadership skills to prepare for their futures. Their program graduation showcases students who are ready to shape a community and take action.

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.

Application & Program Details

  • Applications for the Class of 2025 are now closed.
  • Anyone can recommend a student for the Class of 2026 at any time throughout the year and we will reach out to them and invite them to apply.
  • Students who successfully complete the program will earn 4 DMACC college credits!
  • Sessions take place one full Friday per month and one Monday evening per month.
  • The program is tuition-free, thanks to generous support from people and organizations who believe in the leadership potential of youth.
  • Class selection will be completed in May. Approximately 35-40 students from public and private high schools from across the Greater Des Moines area will be selected.
  • Contact hello@leaddsm.org with questions about the program

Alumni Resources

 

YLI Class of 2025:

Zara Ahmed, Waukee High School 

Sam Allen, Waukee Northwest High School 

Faith Asiedu Fianko, Ankeny High School 

Allison Blum, Adel DeSoto Minburn High School 

Davis Carroll, Waukee High School 

Leslie Cisneros, North High School 

Claire Coffey, Carlisle High School 

Logan Corwin, Roosevelt High School 

Jackson Crabb, Southeast Polk High School 

Nolan Craig, Waukee Northwest High School 

Isabella Crouch, Dowling Catholic High School 

Angelina Dang, Roosevelt High School 

Kyra Davis, Virtual Campus 

Grace DeCastro, North High School 

Sahasra Dendi, Johnston High School 

Sritha Devarapu, Waukee High School 

Lillian Frideres, Nevada High School 

Ava Garvey, Norwalk High School 

Lilly Garvey, Norwalk High School 

Dornubari Godpower, North High School 

Kelsey Greenslade, Adel DeSoto Minburn High School 

Dalal Hasaballa, North High School 

Cindy He, Lincoln High School 

Ansira Irakoze, East High School 

Elizabeth Iverson, Norwalk High School 

Kalya Kothavale, Waukee Northwest High School 

Michelle McConkey, Waukee High School 

Elizabeth Melcher, Dowling Catholic High School 

Deziyre Miller, Roosevelt High School 

Arjun Mittra, Roosevelt High School 

Frise Mukina, North High School 

Navid Nasseh, Valley High School 

Omid Nasseh, Valley High School 

Jonah O’Neal, North High School 

Corbin Oswald, Norwalk High School 

Sierra Pradhan, Waukee Northwest High School 

Lakshmi Kausalya Reddy, Ankeny High School 

Mason Royal, Dowling Catholic High School 

Nardeen Sabri, Valley High School 

Annabelle Schwartz, Urbandale High School 

Mehar Sidhu, Waukee Northwest High School 

Braden Steenhard, Waukee Northwest High School 

Tyler Stiegelmeier, Norwalk High School 

Carrington Williams-Thomas, Waukee High School 

Graham Wise, Roosevelt High School 

 

Testimonials

Thank you to the sponsors of the Youth Leadership Initiative!

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