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 Sellers, Class of 2001
Former U.S. president of United Way Worldwide

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

Be true to yourself. Make sure what, and how, you want to make impact is aligned with your values and passion. If those are in place, making meaningful impact will naturally happen. Also, invite others to join in. Most meaningful impact happens when you work with others to make impact bigger than self.

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

I don’t know that it is necessarily my accomplishment, but the thing that I am most proud of in my career is the number of my direct reports that have gone on to lead their own organization – to date, the number stands at 19.

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

Don’t try to figure everything out right away. If you are too rigid in how you think you should traverse your career, you will miss out on opportunities and the joy of the journey itself. Anchor yourself in the moments and experiences, both good and not so good – they are the moments that shape you, and your character and values.

Class of 2001

• Julie Andrews
• Jill Avery
• Rick Ball
• Ken Bonus
• Scott Brennan
• Nathan Brooks
• Jeff Courter
• Jeanne Deering
• Brian Donaghy
• Darin Ferguson
• Roger Fouche
• Ted Frandson
• Graham Gillette
• Steve Gooding
• John Greaves
• Chris Greenfield
• Tom Halterman
• Jay Horn
• Aaron Kennedy
• Dan Keough
• Jose Laracuente
• Vicki Lyon
• Theresa Malone
• Sheri McMichael
• Jim Nahas
• Kevin Nordmeyer
• Jeff Payne
• Kim Poam
• William Polston
• J. Scott Raecker
• Kari Schulte
• Mary Sellers
• David Stark
• Carole Tillotson
• Donna Tweeten
• John Viggers
• Kevin Waetke
• Therese Wielage
• Annabel Wimer
• Brad Zaun