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Unsure of what to do after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in communications and public relations, Lezlie Mestdagh moved to France to study international business. She returned seven months later to work for Youth for Understanding, a student exchange program that took her all over the state. A couple of years later – after the hours and traveling became too much – she joined United Way of Central Iowa. Three years later, the 28-year-old has worked her way up to campaign director, where she will oversee the non-profit’s annual fund-raising campaign.

I’ve always been in resource development, so the position that originally I was hired for was campaign associate, managing mainly the workplace campaigns.

What are you doing in your new role?

My new role is really overseeing the day-to-day operations of the campaign and I have a team of four campaign managers that work with me. I still have three accounts and I’m glad to keep those, because I absolutely love working with volunteers, so I work with Principal [Financial Group Inc.], Nationwide [Insurance] and FBL Financial [Group Inc.] And the rest of my time is spent really trying to lead and manage the staff and train them.

What are you doing to maintain this organization’s reputation as the fastest-growing United Way campaign?

There’s a lot of pressure when you’re the fastest-growing company in the country, but really what we constantly look at is not just doing something because we’ve always done it. To look at how we can continuously improve and challenge ourselves to make the donor experience more positive and really engage people in all avenues of giving, advocating and volunteering.

Any surprises this year?

This year, it’s the whole “Live United” messaging campaign, which is a real pleasant surprise. We’ve done a great job talking about how much money we raise, but we haven’t always done the best job talking about the impact that we’re having in the community. This year we have the tools and the messaging to do that.

What is a typical day like for you?

Every single day is 100 percent different. I’ll give you one day from a few weeks ago: I was at Nationwide three times for captains’ training, and then I was at Principal presenting to their security group. After that, I could be cleaning out the back room of last year’s supplies and getting ready for this year. That’s the great thing about a nonprofit: You get exposure to what makes this organization tick.

Are you from Des Moines?

I’m from Bloomfield, Iowa.

What kept you in Des Moines?

Hands down, my family. I’m the person that I am today because I grew up so close to my family and my aunts and uncles and cousins.

Where would someone find you on the weekends?

Either spending time with my family – I try to get home at least once a month to see them – or working outside around the house. I like to play tennis, go for walks. This time of year, I just really like to be outside.

What about Des Moines attracts you?

Just all the opportunities. Mike, my husband, and I have season tickets to the Civic Center [of Greater Des Moines], so we spend time going to the shows. We do Big Brothers Big Sisters; we have a big brother who’s 13. And we have great friends who are close. You have the opportunities you would have in a bigger city, but everything’s accessible and you don’t have to spend hours driving somewhere to take advantage of those opportunities.

What’s your leadership style?

I try to lead by example and I try to push us for continuous improvement and to lead with sincerity. I don’t want anyone to think of me as a boss. I want them to think of me as a leader and I want to always put people first, and I think when you do that, success just follows.