The Business Record has named Des Moines University President Angela Franklin the 2025 Women of Influence Alum of the Year. The annual award was launched last year to celebrate one of the past Women of Influence who has continued making an impact since being honored by the Business Record.

Franklin was honored as a Woman of Influence in 2014. Business Publications Corp. Chair Connie Wimer launched the program to recognize women who were making a difference in the community but were seldom recognized. All those who’ve received the award in the past were invited to nominate fellow alumni.

Franklin became the 15th president of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences in 2011. She is from McCormick, S.C. She graduated magna cum laude from Furman University and is a Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to complete her doctorate in clinical psychology at Emory University and a year-long clinical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Franklin has more than 25 years of experience in higher education, previously serving as executive vice president and provost at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., where she also held a professorship in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

Franklin has made a significant impact in recruiting students to study medicine at DMU. Janice Lane Schroeder, a 2021 Woman of Influence, nominated Franklin for the Alum award.

“Dr. Franklin and her team have been intentional in their curriculum to ensure students are skilled and equipped to work with the most complex cases in a culturally responsive and competent manner,” Schroeder said. “She has proven her commitment to our state and community by launching a campaign to build a new campus in West Des Moines.”

Tiffany Tauscheck, a 2014 Emerging Woman of Influence and a 2021 Woman of Influence, also nominated Franklin.

“She made her vision a reality,” Tauscheck said. “The new DMU campus is incredible – not just for our region but for our entire state. She is an inspiration.”

Franklin will speak at our Fearless Forward event on Oct. 23 and will be featured in the Oct. 24 edition of the Business Record.

Fearless Forward event details:
Thursday, Oct. 23 | 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. networking; 10:30 a.m.-noon, program and lunch | Downtown Des Moines Marriott

Register for the event