What is YLI?
Lead DSM's Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), presented by Athene, empowers future leaders to step into leadership today while deepening their understanding of the community they will help shape tomorrow. Through hands-on experiences, civic learning, and exposure to real community issues, this eight-month, tuition-free program equips high-potential high school students to build confidence, skills, and perspective as they explore how leaders, organizations, and systems work together to strengthen Greater Des Moines.
Through YLI, students gain the knowledge, relationships, and leadership capacity to become informed, engaged community members who are prepared to make a difference now and in the future.
Through YLI, students will:Â
- Develop leadership, communication, and professional skills
- Explore community challenges and opportunities through civic learning and real-world experiences
- Engage directly with community leaders and decision-makers shaping Greater Des Moines
- Build relationships with peers from across the region and broaden their understanding of diverse perspectives
- Participate in one full-day session per month during the school day (October-May)
- Have the opportunity to earn DMACC college credit
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.
Do you know someone who fits this description? Recommend them today.Â
Application Process
- For more information including tips for applying, check out our YLI 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
- Session dates and attendance requirements can be found on the YLI Class of 2027 Schedule.
- 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.
Dawson Alstott, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Madiha Alwan, Valley High SchoolÂ
Kayla-Peters Atanga, Dallas Center-Grimes High SchoolÂ
Sophiya Bhandari, Lincoln High SchoolÂ
Ruta Birhane, Ankeny Centennial High School
Ben Boyd, Van Meter High SchoolÂ
Milena Catic, Norwalk High SchoolÂ
Natalie Chanthaphon, Waukee Northwest High SchoolÂ
Keerath Chhatlani, Dowling Catholic High SchoolÂ
Bailey Clark, Dallas Center-Grimes High SchoolÂ
Avary Dyjak, Ankeny Christian AcademyÂ
Brian Fendrick, Ankeny Centennial High SchoolÂ
Jonathan Gallardo, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Samuel Harmeyer, Virtual Campus (DMPS)Â
Greta Lee, Ankeny Centennial High SchoolÂ
Treygan Lee, East High SchoolÂ
Sofia Lim, Ankeny High SchoolÂ
Srihita Magatpalli, Waukee Northwest High School
Mason Militello, Waukee Northwest High SchoolÂ
Peer Mentors:
Macy Bechtel, Valley High SchoolÂ
Isla Corron, Ankeny Centennial High SchoolÂ
Izzy Crouch, Dowling Catholic High SchoolÂ
Evan Lambert, Central AcademyÂ
Julian Nicolino, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Sumeyo Mohamed, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Osmar Montalvo, Carlisle High SchoolÂ
Scarlett Montgomery, Waukee Northwest High SchoolÂ
Xavier Muir, Carlisle High SchoolÂ
Asher Olson-Daniel, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Kenna Parker, Ankeny Centennial High SchoolÂ
Lara Penna Sacca, Waukee Northwest High SchoolÂ
Anfa Rage, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Amrutha Reddy, Ankeny High SchoolÂ
Abigail Reyes, Dowling Catholic High SchoolÂ
Mya Rodriguez, East High SchoolÂ
Allison Schafer, Ankeny Centennial High SchoolÂ
Stella Seifert, Ankeny High SchoolÂ
Sunny Sorenson, Roosevelt High SchoolÂ
Nash Townsend, Dallas Center-Grimes High SchoolÂ
Lucretia Traore-Idrissou, Ankeny High SchoolÂ
Aria Wagner, Waukee Northwest High SchoolÂ
Zander Wagner, Dowling Catholic High School
Sanjana Payawala, Urbandale High SchoolÂ
Jocelyn Ramirez, Southeast Polk High SchoolÂ
Abigail Shaka, Urbandale High SchoolÂ
Amina Tica, Southeast Polk High SchoolÂ
Graham Wise, Roosevelt High School, Lead DSM Student Representative
Presenting Sponsor
Lead DSM is grateful for Athene's partnership as the presenting sponsor of the Youth Leadership Initiative.
Key Sponsors
