2025 Inclusion Summit

The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host the 13th annual Inclusion Summit: Advancing Workforce and Workplaces on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown. This daylong summit will bring together executives and leaders from around the region to explore strategies, tools and resources that support economic growth, stronger talent pipelines and more welcoming workplaces across the region. 

Secure Your Spot at the 2025 Inclusion Summit

The annual event is designed for employers who are Investors, Affiliates or Members of The Partnership and are committed to advancing economic growth in the workplace and community. 

Register

2025 Keynote Speakers

Dr. Ian A. Roberts, Superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools: With extensive experience leading diverse school districts across the country, Dr. Roberts is a nationally recognized voice in culturally responsive leadership. He has held senior leadership roles across the nation centering on shared accountability, empathy and compassion. In addition to this educational leadership, Dr. Roberts is also a former Olympic track and field athlete, having competed at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games. 

Papia Debroy, Chief Impact Officer at Opportunity@Work: Debroy leads national efforts to expand opportunities for the 70+ million U.S. workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) rather than bachelor's degrees. A nationally recognized expert on skills and the labor market, her research and insights have been featured in The New York Times, NPR’s “Marketplace” and Congressional testimony, helping to shape the transition toward a more inclusive, skills-based economy. 

Additional programming and speakers for this year's Inclusion Summit will be announced in the coming weeks.