Future Ready DSM (Greater Des Moines Partnership)

In the first 2022 episode of the Future Ready DSM podcast, Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families Director Dr. Ahmed Agyeman discusses his upbringing, his role at the Evelyn K. Davis Center, where staff focuses on financial education and asset building, education and workforce training and work support, talent development opportunities and more. 

The most recent episode of Future Ready DSM welcomed Joe Murphy, executive director of the Iowa Business Council (IBC). Murphy discussed elevating Iowa’s economic vitality.  The IBC is about companies coming together collectively to provide jobs and opportunities for everyday Iowans. In the past two years, with the effects of the pandemic, Murphy said they have worked to enhance Iowa’s economic growth even more. 

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

The most recent episode of Future Ready DSM welcomed Dave Leto, president and employee owner of Palmer Group, to discuss employment trends in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Leto also talked about long-term impacts on the workforce here and salary comparisons with other regions in the country. 

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

The most recent episode of Future Ready DSM welcomed David Ottavianelli, Director of Workforce and Community Development at John Deere about the work-based initiatives at the company, including High School Registered Apprenticeships in Iowa. 

Dan Greteman, the now retired Chief Information Officer & Transformation Leader for Ruan Transportation Management Systems, shares how Ruan offers work-based learning for high school and college students looking for an alternative career path.

Mary Sellers, President of United Way of Central Iowa, joined the podcast to discuss the United to Thrive campaign, which launched in 2020, which focuses not only on education, income and health, but growing, prospering and thriving. Placing equity at the center of the campaign, United Way of Central Iowa strives to graduate students from high school, then goes one step further by looking at how to set them up with a plan to create a successful future and build wealth for their family and future generations. United to Thrive focuses on essential needs, early childhood success, education success, economic opportunity and health and well-being.

In the second episode of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for individuals entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Marvin DeJear.  

Special guest James Chung, president of Reach Advisors and co-founder of StratoDem Analytics, shared his insights on preparing for the future in Greater Des Moines (DSM). His introduction to the Des Moines region came about through data. Chung grew up in Wichita, Kansas and when the Wichita Community Foundation requested help analyzing the state of Wichita, including what was holding it back, the data showed DSM outperformed Wichita in almost every economic measure. This piqued Chung’s interest, and he began talking to regional DSM leaders to find out there was not a data fluke. There was something special happening in Des Moines. 

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for individuals entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

In the first episode, Beth Townsend, executive director of Iowa Workforce Development, shared her thoughts on employment market recovery within the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region and the state. She said we have lost more jobs than other states and have not recovered them quite as quickly, but the end of federal benefits should have a positive impact on the number of people looking for jobs, signing up for jobs and making connections with employers.  

EMC will look to skillsets like a strategic mindset and empathy in employees to complement its evolving technology.

Podcast guest Beth Nigut serves as executive vice president and chief people officer for EMC Insurance Companies where she supports the corporate strategy, data analytics, human resources, innovation and marketing and communications teams. In her role, the goal is to create a synergy between internal and external stakeholders. Nigut is also chair of The Partnership’s 2021 talent development committee where she supports the organization’s vision and commitment to a robust and inclusive community.

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear. 

In this episode of Future Ready DSM, Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI), shared his thoughts on industry needs in Iowa, what hiring looks like today, recovery from the pandemic and diversity in the workforce.

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear. 

In this episode of Future Ready DSM, Kathy Leggett, Future Ready Iowa policy advisor at Iowa Workforce Development discussed connecting Iowans to education and training that will lead to better jobs and careers, as well as growing youth engagement in the state through student work-based learning.

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

In this episode of Future Ready DSM, Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, discussed employment needs and trends in the restaurant industry, including how the Iowa Restaurant Association serves more than 6,000 bars and restaurants across the state. 

The most recent episode of Future Ready DSM welcomed Tim Yaggi, president and CEO of Pella Corporation and chair of the Iowa Business Council (IBC), who discussed youth engagement trends and employment needs and challenges in Greater Des Moines (DSM) and Iowa.

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear. 

Rob Denson, first native born Iowan president of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), joined the Future Ready DSM podcast to discuss changes in enrollment trends, education pathways and community partnerships with Greater Des Moines (DSM) and Iowa employers. 

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

Current President of Iowa State University (ISU) Wendy Wintersteen joined the podcast to discuss how ISU is preparing students for the future world of work, opportunities for nontraditional students and how they are engaging with Iowa communities. Dr. Wintersteen is the 16th president of ISU and has been in her position since November 2017. 

Casey Welch, co-founder and COO of Tallo, joined the Future Ready DSM podcast to discuss how Generation Z, or Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, can find opportunities — from internships to jobs to scholarships — in Greater Des Moines (DSM). Welch emphasizes how Tallo connects job seekers with opportunities to find the right career fit. He said Gen Z prioritizes three things: skills, the location of opportunities and the ability to live the lifestyle you want to live and offered additional insight into how employers can attract and retain this next generation of employees. 

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

Mary Sellers, president of United Way of Central Iowa, joined the podcast to discuss United to Thrive, United Way of Central Iowa’s strategic focus to foster an equitable, engaged and empowered community. Focus is placed on five areas, including: 

• Economic Opportunity 
• Education Success 
• Early Childhood Success 
• Essential Needs 
• Health and Well-being 

During the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Future Ready DSM podcast, guests share insights about the employment landscape for people entering the workforce, as well as those looking to advance or change their career paths with The Partnership’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Dr. Marvin DeJear.  

As region bank president for Wells Fargo Bank, tri-chair for the DSM USA 4 Equity Task Force and a 2021 Business Record Women of Influence honoree, Marta Codina emphasizes the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the last Future Ready podcast of 2021.