Community Foundation Celebrates 2026 Graduating Class of For Impact Leaders
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is proud to announce the graduating class of 2026 For Impact Leaders. The 2026 cohort completed a nine-month leadership program designed to build competency around the nonprofit community in Greater Des Moines, advance personal and professional development to lead purpose-drive work and establish collaborative relationships with colleagues from across the sector.
The following leaders were selected from a competitive applicant pool and started program coursework in January 2026:
- Demir Alford, United Way of Central Iowa
- Lauren Becker, Friends of Des Moines Parks
- Preston (Tony) Bell, Ayde 4 You
- Lia Brown, The Director’s Council
- Gaby Cox, Project Iowa
- Jesse Coleman, Bravo Greater Des Moines
- Carlos Garcia Rodriguez, Proteus, Inc.
- Laura Lentell, EveryStep
- Jordan McCormick, YMCA of Greater Des Moines
- Jordan Mix, Iowa Safe Schools
- Noelle Nelson, Talent Collective DSM
- Lauryn Nystrom, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa
- Blake Willadsen, DMARC
- Sue Wilson, We Lift Job Search Center
"We are excited to celebrate these nonprofit community leaders as they graduate and look forward to seeing them advance their careers through purpose-driven work across Greater Des Moines," said Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. "The Community Foundation is committed to developing a vibrant, healthy and innovative for impact sector, and this program directly strengthens the nonprofit sector's leadership in our community."
In early 2022, the Community Foundation convened a group of nonprofit partners to help set the vision that would become For Impact Leaders. Their time, energy and dedication to this program is evident in the launch of the first class in January 2023. Now, as we prepare to announce the fifth class of For Impact Leaders, we’re excited to celebrate how this program continues to invest in the people serving our nonprofit community. To learn more, visit desmoinesfoundation.org/nonprofit-resources/for-impact-leaders.