Thursday, May 17

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Justin Schoen is a founding board member and past President of the DMMC, and now helps coordinate sponsorship and outreach activities for the organization. Justin owns a marketing and growth consulting firm, Emerge LLC, and is a partner in Mars Cafe and Goquets.

He also serves on a number of other non-profit Boards, including current Board Chair of Central Iowa Shelter & Services.

He plays guitar, worked several years in concert promotions, and managed a touring act in college.

DMMC Website

Thursday, April 19

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Bob Mitchell, SPHR, is owner and President of Bob Mitchell & Associates, a Human Resources consulting firm.  He is a 34-year member and past president of the Downtown Kiwanis club, served two terms as Lt. Governor and is a Past Governor (Distinguished) of the Nebraska-Iowa District. 

His wife, Jan Burch, SPHR, is a 13-year member and also a past President of the Downtown Kiwanis club, has served two terms as Lt. Governor (Distinguished) and is currently serving as Governor of the Nebraska-Iowa District.  Professionally, Jan is the owner of Jan Burch & Associates, also a Human Resources consulting firm.

Bob and Jan have been heavily involved in the Kiwanis Miracle League at Principal Park since its inception.  He is a past president and is serving as Treasurer, she is the current President.  Together as members of the Ankeny Kiwanis club, they served on the Steering Committee of the Ankeny Miracle Park.  They have both served on many boards and in addition to the Kiwanis Miracle League; Bob is currently in his seventh year on the University of Iowa’s Alumni Association Board, and Jan is a past president of the Des Moines Community Playhouse. 

In 2009, Bob and Jan were named to the Iowa Volunteers of the Year Hall of Fame by Iowa Governor Culver for their role in leading the development of the Kiwanis Miracle League (KML).

They, along with the 17 members of the KML board of directors, truly believe “every child deserves a chance to play baseball.”

Kiwanis Miracle League Website

We all know how busy March can get ... basketball tournaments, spring break trips, St. Patrick's Day festivities ... a variety of options.

So this month, in lieu of our monthly luncheon, we ask you to join us in giving two hours of your time to the local, downtown non-profit Oakridge Neighborhood spending part of an afternoon next week with the children reading, crafting, playing games and just helping to brighten their afternoon. 

Thursday, March 22

Oakridge Neighborhood - Variety Center at 1401 Center Street (Downtown Des Moines)

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP to krism@millsmarketing.com.

Oakridge Neighborhood the most culturally diverse neighborhood in Des Moines; it’s a place where people can raise families safely while working toward self-reliance. They call it the intersection of opportunity and community.  One service being offered there is Oak Academy which provides high quality child care and early enrichment education to infants and toddlers and prepares preschoolers to enter kindergarten ready to learn and on a level playing field with other children in their respective classes.  Oak Academy serves not only children who call Oakridge Neighborhood home, but also children from across the Des Moines Metro. The Academy utilizes the research based Creative Curriculum, which is based on principles of child development, individualized for each child and incorporating culturally relevant practices. 

After the event, we’ll be meeting at Hello, Marjorie for a social hour. 

Thursday, February 15

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Laura Sweet is the VP/COO for Des Moines Performing Arts

Prior to joining DMPA, she was VP for the Ordway in Saint Paul, Minn., and was the Associate Executive Director of the University of Nebraska’s Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, NE.  Laura is on the Children and Families of Iowa board and executive committee (serving as Advocacy Chair), she is also in senior leadership of the Nexus Executive Women’s Leadership alliance.  She serves as co-chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Performing Arts Managers Committee and is in her third year with the Senior Executive Symposium. Laura has a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Kansas, respectively.  

Des Moines Performing Arts Website

Thursday, January 18

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Siobhan Spain has 20 years experience in arts administration, which includes serving as administrator at SITE Santa Fe, office manager with Tom Joyce Blacksmithing, and board member at Santa Fe’s Center for Contemporary Art.

While communications specialist at Los Angeles Times, she was a grant adviser for its foundation’s art-related funding programs. Siobhan then directed Mary Goldman Gallery and aided Santa Monica Museum of Art’s “Incognito” fundraising event. Upon returning to Des Moines, she served as executive director at the Center on Sustainable Communities.

Siobhan is now director of Mainframe Studios, a new nonprofit model for providing permanent affordable work space to artists of all disciplines.

Mainframe Studios Website

Marty Lester is the Executive Director for Mentor Iowa.

Thursday, December 21

Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building

11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Mr. Lester received his Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University in Leisure Studies.  His previous experience in working with at-risk populations includes several positions within Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  The last position he held was Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Central-Southwest Iowa.
 
Mr. Lester is a graduate of the 2005-2006 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Community Leadership Program class.  In 2008, he was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as a member of the Forty under 40 class.
 
He also is a certified official through the Iowa High School Athletic Association and is licensed to officiate baseball, football and wrestling.
 
Mr. Lester lives in Altoona and is the proud father of two children, Dawson (19) and Kinsey (17).  He is originally from Slater, Iowa.

Mentor Iowa Website

Emma Christianson with Iowa Homeless Youth Center will kick off our Leadership Luncheon Series this year.

Thursday, September 21
Downtown Embassy Club - Ruan Building
11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Emma Christianson is the Development Director at Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC), a YSS organization. IHYC works to break the cycle of poverty for homeless young adults and young families in Central Iowa.  As the Development Director, she manages the major gifts fundraising, marketing, and event planning for the organization. She has led the efforts to organize IHYC’s annual fundraiser, Reggie’s Sleepout, for three years, as well as their IHYC Golf Classic and Achievement Tea. 

Emma has been a part of the IHYC team for three years since graduating from Iowa State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Spanish, with an Advertising minor. Outside of working at IHYC, Emma is a member Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN), and serves on the Board as Marketing Chair.