Youth Leadership Initiative

02/20/2026

We’re moving — and we’d love for you to come with us!

Moving forward, updates about the Youth Leadership Initiative will be shared through our Lead DSM channels, alongside information about all of our leadership programs and community activities.

Follow Lead DSM to stay connected, see what’s happening across programs, and continue supporting youth leadership in Greater Des Moines.

This space won’t be active going forward, but the work continues — and it’s all happening over there.

12/09/2025

Last week, our Youth Leadership Initiative students explored how systems shape access to basic needs—and how scarcity affects families across Central Iowa.

Students began the day at DMARC where Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott welcomed the group and guided them through a tour and hunger simulation that highlighted the realities of food insecurity. In the afternoon, students engaged in service-learning at Families Forward before closing with a reflection on leading with empathy, awareness, and action.

Thank you to DMARC for hosting us, to Sarah for sharing her insights, and to all of our supporters and volunteers for ensuring we can continue creating meaningful learning experiences. A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Principal Financial Group for making this session possible.

12/07/2025

We’re proud to celebrate two members of the Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2025 — Dornubari Godpower (YLI ’25) and Frise Mukina (YLI ’25) — who were recently recognized at Iowa State University’s “Cyclones Unite Against Food Insecurity” pitch competition.

Both Dornubari and Frise were featured in the Iowa State Daily for their award-winning ideas aimed at tackling food insecurity and strengthening support for students on campus.

Their leadership, advocacy, and drive to build a more equitable community reflect the very best of YLI.

Read the full story:

On Tuesday, the Food Insecurity Challenge pitch-off awarded three teams with a total of $9,000 in prizes. The challenge kicked off Nov. 4 with a hunger banquet, an event designed not only to bring attention to food inequities but also to help participants experience and reflect on the challenges man...

11/10/2025

Last week, our Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) students gathered at Drake University for our Culture and Identity session — generously sponsored by Drake University.

The day centered on exploring how personal experiences, values, and backgrounds shape the way we lead and connect with others. Students reflected on their own “lenses” and shared stories that celebrate the diversity of leadership in Greater Des Moines.

We’re grateful to our incredible facilitators — Mallory Riesberg (CC '20), Emmett Phillips (GDMLI '25), Lauren Kollauf (GDMLI '25), Janie Jeffries (GDMLI '20), and Louis Fountain (GDMLI '21) — for leading rich discussions that helped students see the power of identity in leadership.

The session closed with an inspiring collaborative art experience led by Claudia Kyalangalilwa (GDMLI ’19, ArtForce Iowa), reminding students that when we share our stories, we build stronger, more connected communities.

A special thank-you to our presenting sponsor Principal Financial Group and to Drake University for hosting and sponsoring this meaningful session — and to all our volunteers and partners for helping our YLI students continue growing as inclusive, empathetic leaders.

10/27/2025

Last week, YLI students spent two inspiring days diving deep into leadership — both personally and through the stories of those who helped shape Greater Des Moines.

On Friday, during Personal Development Day, Adrienne Towe (GDMLI ’23) guided students in exploring the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, helping them reflect on how leadership shows up in their own lives.

Saturday’s Leadership in History Walking Tour brought those concepts to life. Students followed the footsteps of impactful figures — Edna K. Griffin, Frederick M. Hubbell, Annie Savery, Norman Borlaug, George Washington Carver, and Robert Ray — seeing how these leaders exemplified courage, vision, and action in shaping their community.

📍 Tour stops included:

• Edna Griffin Building
• Equitable Building
• Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel
• World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
• A Monumental Journey
• Lauridsen Skate Park + Rotary Riverwalk Park
• Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge
• Robert D. Ray Asian Garden
• Capital Square

A special thank you to Knapp Properties and Ryan Companies US, Inc. for helping us gain access to these historic and impactful locations. And, as always, a heartfelt thank you to our YLI program sponsors like Principal Financial Group, this year's Presenting Sponsor, and the Robert Mann Memorial Fund (a dedicated and passionate YLI volunteer) — your support makes experiences like this possible.

10/20/2025

We’re closing out our introductions with the final members of an inspiring group — the Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2026.

Please welcome:

• Jocelyn Ramirez, Southeast Polk Community School District
• Sam Raymond, Dowling Catholic High School
• Kaden Rial, Theodore Roosevelt High School
• Abigail Shaka, Urbandale Community School District
• Amina Tica, Southeast Polk Community School District
• Matthew Urness, Johnston Community School District
• Jasmine Wee, Theodore Roosevelt High School
• Valerie Young, Ankeny Community School District

Together, these 38 students represent the future of leadership in Greater Des Moines. We can’t wait to see how they grow, connect, and contribute throughout the program year.

10/18/2025

Our Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2026 is filled with bold thinkers, problem-solvers, and emerging changemakers — and we can’t wait to see how they’ll shape Greater Des Moines.

Please welcome:

• Addison Meyer, Ankeny Community School District
• Alivia Middlekauff, Dowling Catholic High School
• Pia Nagar, Ankeny Centennial High School
• Julian Nicolino, Theodore Roosevelt High School
• Sanjana Payawala, Urbandale Community School District
• Kaiser Pradhan, Waukee Northwest High School

These students are already leading in their schools and communities — and through YLI, they’ll deepen their understanding of leadership and their power to make a difference.

10/17/2025

The next generation of leaders is stepping forward — and we’re honored to be part of their journey.

Meet more members of the Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2026:

• Will Lunders, Urbandale Community School District
• Lauren Maier, North Polk Community School District
• Tabitha Mauss, Southeast Polk Community School District
• Evan Mayberry, Waukee Northwest High School
• Dah Meh, Herbert Hoover High School - Des Moines
• Nirmal Melam, Theodore Roosevelt High School

Throughout the program year, these students will build the skills they need to lead — today and tomorrow.

10/16/2025

Our region’s next generation of changemakers is here — and they’re ready to make their mark.

Help us welcome the next members of the Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2026:

• 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 Community School District
• Luke Leo, Dowling Catholic High School

These students join 32 of their peers in a transformative program focused on leadership, collaboration, and community building. Follow along as we introduce the rest of the class throughout the week.

10/15/2025

Leadership doesn’t wait for adulthood — and this year’s Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2026 is proof.

Meet the next group of students stepping into their leadership journey:

• Isla Corron, Ankeny Centennial High School
• Michael Daniels III, Theodore 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

These students will collaborate, learn from local leaders, and gain hands-on experience that prepares them to lead with purpose and vision — now and in the future.