Capital Crossroads released its 2025 annual report last week, detailing progress on workforce housing, education and other long-term regional priorities.

Launched in 2011 and now in its third iteration, Capital Crossroads: A Roadmap to Opportunity and Prosperity for All, guides collaborative efforts across Central Iowa through 2040. The regional vision plan focuses on six critical outcomes shaped by research and community input.

Workforce housing and education remained priority focus areas in 2025, identified as essential to the region’s long-term economic vitality.

“Capital Crossroads exists because no single organization or sector can tackle these challenges alone,” Dan Houston, retired chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group and Capital Crossroads Regional Council co-chair, said in a prepared statement. “The progress reflected in this year’s report shows what’s possible when leaders across business, government and the community align around shared priorities and move forward together.”

Key milestones highlighted in the report include the launch of the nationally recognized Central Iowa Workforce Development Ecosystem Map, support for the reintroduction of the Early Childhood Education program at Des Moines’ Central Campus during the 2025-26 academic year, and new housing preservation resources, including a database tracking federally backed housing in Central Iowa. The report also notes expanded public outreach and the launch of the Lead Forward event series aimed at engaging emerging leaders in regional collaboration.

Capital Crossroads is led by its Regional Council, a cross-sector group of 46 leaders
representing community organizations, government, and industries across Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties. The report named new members of the Regional Council for the 2026-27 term. New members include:

  • Jill Altringer, Polk County Board of Supervisors
  • Bob Andeweg, mayor of Urbandale
  • Britney Appelgate, Wells Fargo
  • Deidre DeJear, Oakridge Neighborhood
  • Abby Delaney, Bankers Trust
  • Kyle Gamble, Hubbell Realty Co.
  • Suzanne Heckenlaible, Delta Dental of Iowa
  • Jeff Lorenzen, American Equity
  • Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, Jacobsen Institute at Grand View University and Des Moines School Board
  • Doug Romig, Housing Solutions Alliance
  • Matt Smith, Des Moines Public Schools
  • Liang Chee Wee, DMACC

Council members serve two-year terms and provide strategic guidance to help advance the region’s shared vision through collaboration and civic leadership.

Published in the Des Moines Business Record on February 16, 2026.