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.

Mary Cownie, Class of 2011
Chief of staff/innovation/accuracy, MercyOne

What’s one issue you’re very passionate about?

Over the past two years, and prior to this when I served on the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center board, I became passionate about health care. I was drawn to the fact it is a complicated, layered industry that would provide me the ability to learn every day, be exposed to a variety of experiences and have real impact on the health of Iowans. Coming to work every day at MercyOne knowing I’m doing my part to advance our vision to “set the standard for a personalized and radically convenient system of health services” is energizing and challenging, but is why I am passionate about what I do.

Knowing what you know now, what’s one thing you’d tell your younger self as you start your career?

Be a self-starter. When given a task, give 100% and don’t be afraid to fail. Step up for any project or opportunity that you can within your organization, as you will learn a great deal about your own passions, along with your strengths and weaknesses. There is nothing wrong with recognizing skills you do not have; it is most important to build upon the strengths you do have in order to provide value to your organization.

Class of 2011

• Jill Marie Altringer
• Christina Amys
• Richard Breuss III
• Elizabeth Coonan
• Mary Cownie
• Michael Egel
• Charise Flynn
• Brooke Foster
• Syeta Glanton
• Ryan Grant
• Samantha Gronewald
• Brenda Hagen McGuire
• Cassandra Halls
• Susan Hatten
• Dominic Iannarelli
• Wendy Ingham
• Susan Kloewer
• Justin Lossner
• Zachary Mannheimer
• Jennifer McDonald Perry
• Christina Moffatt
• Jan Myers
• Erin Olson Douglas
• Craig Patterson
• Brooks Reynolds
• Jana Rieker
• Tony Rogers
• Megan Ruble
• Travis Rychnovsky
• Paul Secord
• Bridget Shapansky
• Nicole Shumate
• Tiffany Spinner
• John Stineman
• Kristin Tague
• Wendy Wall
• Ryan Wedemeyer
• Neal Westin
• Emily Williams-Bouska
• Li Zhao Mandelbaum