As part of the Capital Crossroads five-year regional vision plan, the Social Capital Committee has developed an inter-generational mentorship program called Community Connect: Mentors Inspiring Success and is pleased to announce those selected as participants in 2014. Community Connect sustains and expands leadership throughout the region by inspiring future leaders and givers through meaningful and creative mentoring connections. The mentorship program is designed to connect participants from all generations to our community’s more experienced leaders. This program creates meaningful personal connections and peer mentoring opportunities in a small group setting that ensures personal interactions with mentors in our community.

The 30 participants selected for the five-month program include:
Jeff Anderlik, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Pattie Anderson, RBC Wealth Management
Anne Bacon, Bidwell Riverside Center
Kate Banasiak, Diversified Management Services
Jacki Boldt, Des Moines Area Community College
Carrie Clogg, Civic Music Association
Brian Crotty, HDH Advisors, LLC
Kari Dyjak, Amgen
Brianne Fitzgerald, United Way of Central Iowa
Allie Geysen, PepsiCo
Jami Haberl, Safeguard Iowa Partnership
Richard Hannasch, Principal Financial Group
Julie Hergenrader, Daiichi Sankyo
Gregory Jackson, Wells Fargo Bank
Carrie Kruse, City of Des Moines
Zachary Lukasiewicz, SALT Solutions
Ana Mancebo, Iowa Citizens for Community Involvement
Michael McInerney, The Dana Company
David Nelmark, Belin McCormick, PC
Olga Poputnikova, EMC Insurance Companies
Levi Rosol, Goodsmiths
Colleen Scharlau, Marsh & McLennan
Kelsey Sinnwell, Visionary Services, Inc.
Amy Smith, PrimeLending
Joe Sorenson, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Sara Stibitz, Self-employed
Sunni Swarbrick, Simpson College
Angela Ten Clay, TMG Financial Services
Jordan Watkins, Blue Oak Construction Group LLC
Kaylee Williams, VolunteerLocal

Community mentors include: Bob Andeweg, Nyemaster Good, P.C., & Urbandale Mayor; Mary Bontrager, Greater Des Moines Partnership; Jay Byers, Greater Des Moines Partnership; Mike Colwell, Business Innovation Zone; Cara Heiden, Wells Fargo & Co., Retired; Phil Hodgin, RDG Planning & Design; H. Lynn Horak, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Retired; Carolyn Jenison, Ballet Des Moines; Kristi Knous, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines; Rose Mitchell, Hy-Vee, Retired; Alex Piedras, Grand View University; Scott Raecker, Character Counts In Iowa; Dana Ramundt, The Dana Company; and Mary Sellers, United Way of Central Iowa

Participant Brianne Fitzgerald, Corporate Relations Manager at the United Way of Central Iowa, says, “This is a rare chance to not only be an active participant in the classes, but to connect with outstanding professionals who serve as mentors. I’m excited to learn from them, and to learn more about myself.”

Learn more at www.communityconnectgdm.org. Community Connect: Mentors Inspiring Success is funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Capital Crossroads: A Vision for Greater Des Moines & Central Iowa is a five year regional roadmap with a geographic scope defined by a 50-mile radius around Central Iowa with the Iowa State Capitol at the center. Today, more than 500 community and business leaders have volunteered to lead the plan implementation to accomplish short and long-term economic growth throughout Central Iowa.

The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines improves quality of life for all by promoting charitable giving, connecting donors with causes they care about and providing leadership on important community issues…we’re simply better together.