GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 26, 2022) – Capital Crossroads has announced the Steering Committee and Advisory Council members who will lead the development of the 2040 regional vision plan.
The Steering Committee is made up of 38 leaders representing business, government, and nonprofit organizations throughout Greater Des Moines (DSM). The group will give input and drive ideas for the future of Central Iowa. The Steering Committee will be led by Tri Chairs Teree Caldwell-Johnson, President and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood; Angela Connolly, Chair of the Polk County Board of Supervisors; and Dan Houston, CEO of Principal Financial Group. See the full list of members here.

Capital Crossroads has also launched an Advisory Council representing a diverse array of organizations to ensure people of different backgrounds and interests have an opportunity to inform the future direction of Central Iowa. See the full list of members here.

All members of the Steering Committee and Advisory Council will serve as liaisons to the community to share information about the regional vision plan.
“Capital Crossroads has been the collaborative organization charged with implementing and uniting the region’s institutions and investments toward a shared goal of making a more vibrant and prosperous community for all. This planning process allows us to bring people together, vision for the future and recommend the infrastructure needed to make it happen,” said Houston.

“We are excited about the dynamic groups of leaders that were intentionally selected to help lead this planning process. The groups include stakeholders that have been engaged in Capital Crossroads from the beginning and others who are new to the initiative,” said Caldwell-Johnson. “These diverse perspectives will ensure that we are being thoughtful, responsive, and innovative as we consider all aspects of our region’s future.”

“I have been involved in Capital Crossroads since its inception in 2011,” said Connolly. “Now, over 10 years later, we are able to vision and plan from a position of strength as we think about the future of our community. This next regional vision plan represents a key opportunity for us to think creatively and strategically about what comes next. Between our Steering Committee, Advisory Council, and consulting team, we have the right people at the table to make that happen.”

Members of the public will have an opportunity to give feedback to help shape the plan. Capital Crossroads invites the community to take part and share their perspectives in a three-hour workshop called “The Big Sort” to be held on October 27th and 28th. The purpose of The Big Sort is to discuss and prioritize trends in society, technology, environment, economy, and politics that are most likely to impact Central Iowa by 2040. Interested individuals are encouraged to learn more about these opportunities and register here.

Upon conclusion of the visioning process, Capital Crossroads will release a new regional vision plan, which will be complete in Spring 2023. As part of the process, the plan’s leaders and consultants will also supply recommendations on the future organizational structure needed to lead cross-sector projects, programs, and policy change aligned with the vision.