For the past 20 years, the Business Record has celebrated Forty Under 40. The honor has long recognized up-and-coming business leaders and the powerful impact young professionals make in Greater Des Moines.

Josh Mandelbaum, Class of 2017
Senior attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Center; Des Moines City Councilman

What advice would you give to young people who want to make an impact?

Join a nonprofit board. Serving on a nonprofit board is an immediate way to make an impact on an organization and its mission. While you serve, you will learn from others on the board, from those who work at the organization, and from the community that you are serving. You’ll have an opportunity to solve problems, apply your skills and learn new issues. If you find the right opportunity to serve, you will make an immediate impact while learning how to make an even bigger impact in whatever you do next.

What’s one of your accomplishments you are most proud of, and why?

I’m proud of the Legal Source of Income Non-discrimination ordinance that we passed in the city of Des Moines. As a community, we are facing serious challenges related to affordable housing. This ordinance will make our housing voucher work better and work for more people. It is an important step toward improving how our community addresses affordable housing. It will provide increased stability and improve lives. I hope that it can be a model for other communities in the metro and that it serves as a foundation for how we address other pieces of our affordable housing challenges.

Class of 2017

• Tim Albrecht
• Larry Anderson
• Kelly Barrick
• Nate Boulton
• Alex Broderick
• Jesse Bunney
• Azure Christensen
• Ryan Crane
• Joe DeJong
• Trina Flack
• Ben Garrett
• Marina Grabchuk
• LaVerne Greenfield
• Stephanie Jutila
• Karen Karr
• Jenna Knox
• Michael Krantz
• Kylee Krizmanic
• John Leder
• Joshua Mandelbaum
• Skylar Mayberry-Mayes
• Dylan Mullenix
• Eldwin Nichols
• Jill Niswander
• Angela Noble
• Brianne Sanchez
• Philip Sandager
• William Scales
• Courtney Shaw
• Beth Shelton
• Kelly Sparks
• Christie Sullivan
• Kimberly Wall
• Brian Waller
• Maggie White
• Kelly Whiting
• Hanna Wolle
• China Wong
• Alyssa Young
• Chase Young