As someone who works in marketing and communications within the financial planning industry, I spend a lot of time thinking about relationships, trust and connection. At the heart of financial planning is helping people feel informed, supported and confident about their future, and those same principles are what made the West Des Moines Leadership Academy such a meaningful experience for me.

Over the past nine months, I had the opportunity to participate in the West Des Moines Leadership Academy, and it gave me a deeper understanding of the people, organizations and partnerships that help our community grow and thrive.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was witnessing firsthand how interconnected everything truly is. Economic development, education, mental health, nonprofit work, local business growth and community leadership all impact one another. Strong communities are not built by one organization or one leader alone; they are built through collaboration, communication and people who genuinely care about making a difference.

The 2025-2026 class’s project focused on Can Play, an organization that offers low-cost sports and recreation programs tailored to children, adults, and families facing disabilities and financial barriers. They provide adaptive sports that foster inclusion, build confidence, and promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. 

The WDMLA class contributed 61 volunteer hours to their programs and raised more than $75,000, which enabled Can Play to purchase a brand-new van, invest funds back into their programs, and restock their snack inventory to support participants throughout the summer.

From a communications perspective, the program reinforced something I see every day in my work: people want authentic connection. Whether in business, leadership or financial planning, relationships, trust and listening matter. 

Throughout the academy, I had the chance to meet leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds who are all working toward the common goal of strengthening our community. Hearing their stories, learning about their challenges and seeing their passion for service was both inspiring and energizing.

I also appreciated the opportunity to step outside of my day-to-day role and gain a broader perspective on the issues impacting our area. So often, we become focused on our own industries and responsibilities that we miss the bigger picture. WDMLA created space for important conversations around growth, community needs, leadership and long-term impact.

In many ways, the experience mirrored the work we do in financial planning. Financial planning is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It is about helping people align their resources with what matters most to them. It requires listening, education, collaboration and long-term thinking. Communities work much the same way. Sustainable growth happens when people invest in relationships, communicate openly and work together toward shared goals.

The program also reminded me that leadership does not always have to be loud or visible to make an impact. Sometimes leadership looks like building connections behind the scenes, bringing people together, asking thoughtful questions or helping others feel seen and supported. 

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the West Des Moines Leadership Academy and for the relationships built along the way, and I look forward to finding new ways to support the people and organizations that make West Des Moines such a strong and vibrant community.