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Youth Leadership Initiative

What is YLI?

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) releases untapped potential in the next generation of community leaders. This untapped potential is released 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.

Applications for the YLI Class of 2026 are now open!

For more information and link to application, see details below.

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 due April 14, 2025 - apply here
  • 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.
  • Students can earn up to 4 DMACC college credits through completion of all YLI program requirements.

Alumni Resources

 

YLI Class of 2025:

Zara Ahmed, Waukee High School 

Faith Asiedu Fianko, Ankeny High School 

Allison Blum, Adel DeSoto Minburn High School 

Davis Carroll, Waukee High School 

Leslie Cisneros, North High School 

Claire Coffey, Carlisle High School 

Logan Corwin, Roosevelt High School 

Jackson Crabb, Southeast Polk High School 

Nolan Craig, Waukee Northwest High School 

Isabella Crouch, Dowling Catholic High School 

Angelina Dang, Roosevelt High School 

Kyra Davis, Virtual Campus 

Grace DeCastro, North High School 

Sahasra Dendi, Johnston High School 

Sritha Devarapu, Waukee High School 

Lillian Frideres, Nevada High School 

Ava Garvey, Norwalk High School 

Lilly Garvey, Norwalk High School 

Dornubari Godpower, North High School 

Kelsey Greenslade, Adel DeSoto Minburn High School 

Dalal Hasaballa, North High School 

Cindy He, Lincoln High School 

Ansira Irakoze, East High School 

Elizabeth Iverson, Norwalk High School 

Kalya Kothavale, Waukee Northwest High School 

Michelle McConkey, Waukee High School 

Elizabeth Melcher, Dowling Catholic High School 

Deziyre Miller, Roosevelt High School 

Arjun Mittra, Roosevelt High School 

Frise Mukina, North High School 

Navid Nasseh, Valley High School 

Omid Nasseh, Valley High School 

Jonah O’Neal, North High School 

Corbin Oswald, Norwalk High School 

Sierra Pradhan, Waukee Northwest High School 

Lakshmi Kausalya Reddy, Ankeny High School 

Mason Royal, Dowling Catholic High School 

Nardeen Sabri, Valley High School 

Annabelle Schwartz, Urbandale High School 

Mehar Sidhu, Waukee Northwest High School 

Braden Steenhard, Waukee Northwest High School 

Tyler Stiegelmeier, Norwalk High School 

Carrington Williams-Thomas, Waukee High School 

Graham Wise, Roosevelt High School 

 

Testimonials

"The leadership skills that I have gotten to witness and experience though YLI are greater than I ever could’ve imagined. I have been fortunate to be able to interact with amazing community leaders and learn from their experiences. My communication and interpersonal skills have gotten stronger from interacting with my mentors and learning from them. The skills I have gained and improved upon relate heavily to the five leadership practices, in which I have become better at identifying in my everyday life. I will be able to use these attributes as I continue to go after my personal and professional goals."

-Charlie, YLI Class of 2019

"YLI has changed my mindset, my point of view, my insight on things, and my options for the better. YLI gives the experiences of a lifetime and leads to other opportunities for high schoolers that you may not get anywhere else in Des Moines. YLI has taught me that I have to speak up and share my opinions on what I love."

-Riziki, YLI Class of 2019

"In the last 5 years, I have met with many capable smart young people. In working with them, I have realized that even though most have good grades, they lack other life skills. Good grades alone can’t get them scholarships and ready for future jobs. They will need leadership, service and character to help them secure great opportunities and that is what YLI offers. YLI has helped my daughter enhance her other skills and I truly appreciate the opportunity that my child has been given through YLI."

-Nancy, Riziki's Mom

Thank you to the sponsors of the Youth Leadership Initiative!

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