Mission & History

Mission Statement
The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is a premier leadership organization, guiding graduates to greater public awareness, commitment and involvement - improving the overall quality of life in our community.

Vision Statement
Connecting, Inspiring, & Challenging Community Leaders.

History of the Institute
1979 Chamber President A. Arthur Davis appointed a committee of Chamber members (all under the age of 40) to examine the Des Moines Metropolitan area, its future, and its quality of life until the year 2000.

The Metro 2000 Committee was formed and met in excess of 60 times to discuss various issues with over 90 national, state, and community leaders.
1982 From the efforts of the Metro 2000 Committee, the Institute was founded and the first class was selected.

Fun Fact: The first two classes of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute lasted for two years each!
1998-2006 Transformational Leadership Program
TLP prepared leaders to lead significant change. Participants formed a compelling leadership agenda around the specific change they wanted to produce.
2001 Formation of YLI
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) began as a class project from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI) class of 2001-2002. Modeled after existing youth leadership programs in other cities and the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, the YLI works with youth selected from schools in the Greater Des Moines area. These students may not be the typical student leaders, but will be those with leadership potential who want to make a difference and who are committed to improving their leadership skills.
2007 Our biggest class project to date, the Kid’s Kingdom at the Blank Park Zoo was completed!
www.blankparkzoo.com/en/kids_kingdom/

If you have history to add to the timeline CLICK HERE

GREATER DES MOINES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

700 LOCUST STREET SUITE 100

DES MOINES, IOWA 50309

515-286-4980