What is YLI?
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) releases untapped potential in the next generation of community leaders as students learn skills that propel them into their next steps of life and as they embrace their roles as shapers of a community where their dreams can be realized.
High school students get out of the classroom and into real-life learning experiences throughout Greater Des Moines. Their teachers are local business and community experts. Their subjects are opportunities and challenges in our region. Their lessons teach self, group, professional, and community leadership skills to prepare for their futures. Their program graduation showcases students who are ready to shape a community and take action.
Who should apply?
Students with plenty of room to grow! Participants who gain the most from YLI are:
- Ready to learn about their community and how they can shape its future.
- Enthusiastic about building professional skills and gaining exposure to possible career paths.
- Open to exploring their leadership potential, perhaps having had few previous opportunities.
- Sincere about forming connections with fellow students and mentors from across Greater Des Moines.
- Eager to gain confidence, step outside their comfort zones, and learn about themselves.
Application Process
- YLI Class of 2026 applications are now closed.
- For more information including tips for applying, check out our Application Aid.
- Notification of students selected for the next YLI cohort will be completed before the end of the current school year.
- Contact us with questions about the program.
Program Details
- Each YLI cohort is comprised of approximately 40 high school students from both public and private schools across the Greater Des Moines area.
- Eligible students will be in 10th-12th grade going into the next academic year.
- Sessions take place during the school day one Friday per month and occasional Monday evenings from October through May.
- The program is tuition-free, thanks to generous support from people and organizations who believe in the leadership potential of youth. There is a $40 program acceptance fee should a student be accepted into the program. It is important that cost not be a barrier to any accepted student's participation. Those accepted into the program can have this fee waived.
- Students can earn up to 4 DMACC college credits through completion of all YLI program requirements.
Macy Bechtel, Valley High School
Randy Brito-Alegria, Roosevelt High School
Lillian Carlson, Indianola High School
Andrew Cathey, Ankeny Christian Academy
Anisha Choudhary, Waukee Northwest High School
Lucy Clayton, Carlisle High School
Isla Corron, Ankeny Centennial High School
Michael Daniels III, Roosevelt High School
Dhwani Dinakar, Ankeny Centennial High School
Sloan Edwards, Des Moines Christian School
Molly Gifford, Waukee High School
Sam Gifford, Waukee High School
Luwam Hadgu, Waukee Northwest High School
Lakshmi Kommineni, Waukee Northwest High School
My Lam, Dowling Catholic High School
Evan Lambert, Central Academy
Aiden Leiran, Urbandale High School
Luke Leo, Dowling Catholic High School
William Lunders, Urbandale High School
Lauren Maier, North Polk High School
Tabitha Mauss, Southeast Polk High School
Evan Mayberry, Waukee Northwest High School
Dah Meh, Hoover High School
Nirmal Melam, Roosevelt High School
Addison Meyer, Ankeny High School
Alivia Middlekauff, Dowling Catholic High School
Pia Nagar, Ankeny Centennial High School
Julian Nicolino, Roosevelt High School
Sanjana Payawala, Urbandale High School
Kaiser Pradhan, Waukee Northwest High School
Jocelyn Ramirez, Southeast Polk High School
Samuel Raymond, Dowling Catholic High School
Kaden Rial, Roosevelt High School
Abigail Shaka, Urbandale High School
Amina Tica, Southeast Polk High School
Matthew Urness, Johnston High School
Jasmine Wee, Roosevelt High School
Valerie Young, Ankeny High School
Thank you to the sponsors of the Youth Leadership Initiative!
