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.
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 & Program Details
- Applications for the Class of 2026 will open in early 2025.
- Anyone can recommend a student for the Class of 2026 at any time throughout the year and we will reach out to them and invite them to apply.
- Students who successfully complete the program will earn 4 DMACC college credits!
- Sessions take place one full Friday per month and one Monday evening per month.
- The program is tuition-free, thanks to generous support from people and organizations who believe in the leadership potential of youth.
- Class selection will be completed in May. Approximately 35-40 students from public and private high schools from across the Greater Des Moines area will be selected.
- This program is for students who will be a Sophomore, Junior or Senior going into the follow academic year.
- Contact hello@leaddsm.org with questions about the program.
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
Thank you to the sponsors of the Youth Leadership Initiative!
