Last month, I attended the Business Record’s Women of Influence event. It is always an inspiring night to celebrate these community leaders who are giving so much to Greater Des Moines, including one of our very own team members this year, Courtney Shaw, who was named Emerging Woman of Influence.

I am grateful to be a past honoree for this recognition, and it is always a good reminder for me to think back to my speech that night. I asked my daughter, Tennyson, to join me on stage as I talked about my “why.”

I chose a career path that is “in the arena,” as Theodore Roosevelt once said. This sometimes requires long hours and unexpected challenges. It also provides the opportunity to be part of helping shape the future of our region. 

Early in our marriage, my husband, Mark, and I set a family mission statement to guide us and all we do in our careers and in the community: “For our family.” 

Our family mission statement has helped inform and guide me in my life and career. The work we do at the Partnership aligns with this well, and makes me think about how we spend our time on improving the future for our kids, others’ kids and future generations.

Working closely with our investors, affiliates, members and Partnership team members, it is clear there is a shared goal of making our community the best it can be for future generations, and I believe the work we do at the Partnership helps advance this mission.

Some examples include the more than 500 college students we hosted this summer through our DSM Intern Connection programming and the more than 250 high school students who participated in The Legacy Project: Career Ready Collective program we facilitated. In meeting with both of these groups of youth and young adults, I was reminded of how strong our region’s future will be with them at the helm someday.

We often hear from these students that they are impressed by our region and see themselves here after experiencing these programs.

Consider the story of Erik DeLuca, a former U.S. Army Airborne Infantryman who joined Principal Financial Group as an intern last summer and now works there full time. Erik told our team: “The DSM Intern Connection program opened my eyes to Des Moines’ vibrant professional community. The program showcased how young professionals can thrive here.” He was initially drawn to Greater Des Moines due to its balance of professional opportunities and quality of life, and said the region’s “affordability, growing downtown scene and genuine Midwest hospitality sealed the deal.” 

Erik’s story is an example of one we hear often. People of all ages can thrive here with top-notch professional opportunities while living affordably and taking advantage of the best-in-class amenities the region has to offer. 

Recently, Newsweek recognized Greater Des Moines in an article titled “Millennials Are Reviving This Midwest City.” Our team, through our national storytelling and media outreach efforts, helped cultivate this placement. As I shared with Newsweek, the growth we are seeing is due in part to millennials and is also part of a broader, multi-generational trend. People at all stages of life are choosing to build their lives across our region. That includes the current generation joining the workforce, as RentCafe just named Greater Des Moines the No. 3 Best Place for Gen Z Graduates.

This success is no accident. It is the result of intentional regional collaboration, the kind that helps Greater Des Moines gain a step up in advancing economic development. It is the result of regional planning, including the Capital Crossroads vision plan that has led to hundreds of successes in several iterations over the past decade and a half. It is the result of countless leaders, past and present, stepping up to identify how we can make our future even better, and take action on transformational projects.

Many years ago, I was in the room with a group of community leaders for a kickoff meeting to advance what is now the ICON Water Trails project. One leader addressed the room by reminding everyone that this project would benefit their children and grandchildren perhaps more than it would benefit them. They said this is an example of playing the long game.    

Our region’s leaders understand that investing in the present will pay off in the future. What a selfless and powerful act.

Let’s continue to invest to ensure a strong community for our growing Greater Des Moines family and its future generations.