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.

Nikki Syverson, Class of 2013
Director, Capital Crossroads

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

My advice to young people is to jump in: Find an organization you’re passionate about, share your big idea and gain as much knowledge as possible from community leaders. We are so fortunate to live in a community that not only allows young people to get involved, we encourage it. The lessons I learned and the connections I made in my early nonprofit work – both as a staff member and volunteer – have been invaluable.

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

What gets me up in the morning is the prospect of making Des Moines a better place for the next generation. I’ve had the good fortune of working with many organizations that make a positive impact in our region. And it’s both rewarding and daunting to know that the decisions we make today will have an impact for generations to come. That’s why our work with the Central Iowa Water Trails, mental health, workforce housing and city planning are so critical. And that’s why I’m so energized about the prospect of working with even more nonprofits in my next chapter to help shape an even better Central Iowa.

Class of 2013

• Desmund Adams
• Lindsay Alderman
• Erica Axiotis
• Kate Banasiak
• Erin Bemis
• Jonathan Brendemuehl
• Curtis Brown
• Matt Connolly
• Lawrence Cunningham
• Angela Dethlefs-Trettin
• Josh Fleming
• Felix Gallagher
• Lori Gelhaar
• Tina Gray Carstensen
• Shane Greenleaf
• Danielle Haindfield
• Emily Harris
• Matthew Harris
• Angela Hilbert
• Joey Hinke
• Hannah Inman
• Keegan Kautzky
• John Lozier
• Dennis McDaniel
• Rachel McLean
• John Mickelson
• Keith Olson
• Matt Ostanik
• Benjamin Page
• Dustin Petersen
• Nick Renkoski
• Rachel Rowley
• John Ruan IV
• Jennifer Soma
• Heather Starr
• Aimee Staudt
• Courtney Strutt Todd
• Nikki Syverson
• Howard Tempero
• Tony Timm