An Iowa native, Amy Jennings considered venturing outside the state following her graduation from Iowa State University. But with family nearby and a job in health promotion at Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield waiting for her, she decided to stay close to home and has never looked back. She loves Des Moines, is eager to tout its advantages to other young professionals, and enjoys the continuous dialogue created by the Greater Des Moines Young Professionals Connection. She serves as president of the organization, which has nearly doubled its mailing list over the past two months and now reaches nearly 1,100 young professionals. Jennings, 28, enjoys Des Moines’ entertainment options, but also the opportunity to become engaged with community leaders and make a difference, which she said just isn’t possible in a big city.

How would you describe yourself while you were growing up in Granger?  I was a joiner. Jazz band was my biggest activity. I was in the drum set, which would probably surprise a lot of people, because if they know my personality, I’m pretty reserved and quiet. I was also in student council, speech, drama – that sort of thing.

What were your career ambitions?  During most of my years in elementary school and junior high, I was interested in animals, so I always thought about being a vet. In high school, I didn’t really have a clear career goal, which is the reason I went to a community college. While I was going to Des Moines Area Community College I was working at Barr-Nunn Transportation in Granger, and they had a wellness program that I worked in. I loved working in wellness and health promotion and knew there had to be a major out there for that field.

Did you continue as a “joiner” at Iowa State University?  I helped start a health science honorary called Eta Sigma Gamma. They worked with the community on health-related initiatives and provided some experience for students that had health-promotion majors. I was also the executive vice president of my sorority, Sigma Kappa.

What did you take out of your sorority experience?  I definitely learned a lot of leadership skills, and sororities are run very much like businesses as far as the structure of the boards, so I learned a lot about how businesses work. And you learn how to work well with other people when you live with 65 women. The camaraderie that you experience in a sorority is like nothing else. I liked being cooked for and having someone cleaning for us. I really enjoy helping out with my sorority now as an advisor. I got a lot out of my experience there, so I enjoy helping the women have a good college experience.

Are you naturally drawn to leadership roles?  That seems to be the case. I find that if I am not actively involved in a group, that I am not that committed. So I like to take leadership roles to really make a difference in the groups I’m involved with.

Other than your job, was there anything else that kept you in Central Iowa?  I am very close to my family, so that’s one reason that I was hesitant to look outside the state for job opportunities. And I really do love Des Moines. Right now, it’s exciting to see it grow. I’m glad I stayed and I’m glad I have the opportunity now to affect the direction that Greater Des Moines will take for young professionals.

So would a tax break for 20-somethings attract young professionals?  You know, I don’t think so. Most of the people we talked to weren’t supportive of that proposal. What they want to see is resources being dedicated to economic development and bringing more jobs to the Greater Des Moines area and still focusing on those cultural activities and fun things for young professionals to do.

Do you find yourself on Friday nights asking yourself, “What am I going to do this weekend?”  That happens, but usually it’s not that there’s nothing to do, but what am I going to choose to do this weekend. But when I first moved to Des Moines, I don’t think I felt that way. YPC has really helped me to see that there are so many things to do in Des Moines.

What are your favorite weekend activities?  I really enjoy downtown. In the summer I like live outdoor concerts, so I try to hit the amphitheater and Clive After 5. I like biking, and going out with my friends. I try to experience the cultural events in Des Moines. Every year I go to the Des Moines Arts Festival and I’ve been to the Asian Festival and other cultural activities that go on in Des Moines.

What are your goals for the future?  If I stay in wellness, I would like to take on more of a leadership position. I would someday like to work in some capacity, whether it’s paid or volunteer, to help promote Des Moines, similar to what YPC is doing.

What about the YPC mission appeals to you?  I see a little bit of the same disconnect that the Greater Des Moines Partnership saw four years ago (when YPC was created). We need to come together and form a stronger voice and help make Des Moines a more appealing place. Part of our mission is attracting and retaining young professionals. One thing that young professionals can do is change their attitude, and I think YPC’s mission can help facilitate that. When someone says, “I moved here from Denver,” don’t say, “Why?” Instead, say, “That’s great. Des Moines is a great place and I love it here.” I like that our group can have an impact on development in the area and getting people connected to charitable giving and philanthropy, to really show that young people can make a difference in the city.