Passport to Prosperity: Iowa International Center Welcomes the World to Iowa

Resilient, passionate and determined are just a few of the words that describe the extraordinary immigrants and refugees being honored at this year’s Passport to Prosperity Gala and Awards on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024 at the Des Moines Heritage Center in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). Each honoree has faced and overcome adversity, language barriers and many other challenges, all while choosing to make Iowa their home. Their stories are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the incredible contributions they’ve made to our community.

Join us for an evening of celebration as we honor these inspiring individuals, whose journeys reflect perseverance, hope and the power of diversity.

Meet the 2024 Passport to Prosperity Honorees

Dr. Geetha Srinivas, Director of the Center for Veterinary Biologics, US Department of Agriculture - India

• Dr. Srinivas holds the distinction of being the first woman, the first person of color and the first immigrant to serve as the director of the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics. Dr. Srinivas’s history of volunteerism and activism exemplifies her dedication to community service and cultural integration. Her efforts have not only enriched the lives of Indian immigrants but have also contributed to the cultural tapestry of the wider community.

Carolina Coronado-Park, Director of the Office of International Engagement at the University of Northern Iowa - Peru

• Carolina has helped to create specific recognition programs at UNI to ensure that students, staff and faculty leaders are recognized for their international efforts. In addition, she has taken the lead on identifying and facilitating many partnerships for UNI with international agencies, universities and government programs. All these efforts have provided added opportunities for international students, faculty and research exchange and facilitated greater global understanding and cooperation.

Sharon Ndikurugamba, Executive Director of African Immigrants and Refugees Transition Services - Rwanda

• Sharon and her co-founder, Immaculee Butare, have been instrumental in assisting individuals with resettlement challenges, integration and rebuilding their lives in a new land. Her personal journey and deep understanding of immigrant and refugee experiences have been pivotal in creating programs that address their unique needs. Through her work, Sharon has helped to break down barriers and promote cross-cultural understanding, promoting a more inclusive and welcoming Iowa for all.

Dr. Jude Igbokwe, Adjunct Professor, DMACC and Simpson College. – Nigeria

• Dr. Igbokwe often goes above and beyond for Nigerians in the Des Moines community by serving as a trusted mentor, confidant, sponsor and friend. Dr. Igbokwe has worked tirelessly to attain his doctoral degree, to teach his students and to be an example of the type of person we should all strive to be personally and professionally, here in Iowa as well as in his native Nigeria. He is always looking for ways to give back and lift up the community. 2022 Iowa State University Recipient of the Dwight Ink Public Service Award.

Bobbie Vida Van Roekel, Filipino American Society – Philippines

• Through her tireless volunteerism, Bobbie has brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. She is a dedicated, hardworking and effective community leader who has made a significant impact on our society. During her time at the Filipino American Society, she spearheaded multiple events like the Filipino fiesta Filipino culture is showcased through food, art and entertainment. She is committed to sharing her time and energy to support the community and help others in need.

Dr. Judith Conlin Welcoming the World Award Recipient

Ambassador Terry Branstad, President of the World Food Prize, former US Ambassador to China and Iowa's longest serving Governor, has been named the 2024 recipient of the award for his decades of international work to improve the lives of Iowans. He is a founding partner of the Branstad Churchill Group and currently serves as “Ambassador-in-Residence” at Drake University.

During his 22-year tenure as Iowa’s Governor, Branstad put into motion the Iowa Partner State program, helping to cultivate relationships between Iowa and its seven international state partners.

During this memorable evening, we will honor remarkable individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Iowa through their personal stories, professional success and community engagement. The event also features a dinner based on the home countries of honorees, a cultural performance by Choro Moingona, a silent auction and an opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion in our state.

Purchase tickets today to secure a seat!

Immigrants and refugees contribute greatly to the state of Iowa’s diversity, and they are a source of economic development and cultural wealth. Passport to Prosperity recognizes and promotes the ways in which they enrich the lives of Iowans, in their community and across the state. Iowa includes families from across the globe: the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The inclusive nature of all ethnic groups in Passport to Prosperity celebrates the rich variety of racial and ethnic experiences within our borders. It offers an exchange of culture and experience.

People who attend Passport to Prosperity are individuals who are curious about global cultures, who have an interest in immigrant and refugee issues (workforce development, education, housing) or who want to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Iowa’s unsung changemakers. Past attendees have included community leaders, current and past elected officials, businesses, representatives of ethnic communities and those interested in the global community.

The roster of Passport to Prosperity Honorees includes such notable Iowans as Dr. Yogesh Shah, Mazahir Salih, Nancy Mwirosti, San Wong, Sgt. Doua Lor and 90 others since the award was established in 2002.

We look forward to celebrating with you and recognizing the resilience, success, and contributions of our immigrant and refugee honorees.

The Iowa International Center mission is to connect individuals, communities, and organizations across Iowa and the globe with opportunities to remove language, cultural, and economic barriers. The organization was established in 1938, helping refugees who escaped violence in Europe settle in Des Moines.

The heart of the Iowa International Center’s work is in connecting people and changing lives through educational and cultural resources to immigrants, refugees, international visitors, and long-time Iowan. Our work provides economic and cultural leadership resulting in Iowa being a more inclusive and welcoming place to live, work and raise a family. Our programs include:

• In-person Interpretation in 50 languages
• Phone Interpretation for Emergency Personnel & Housing Issues-120 languages
• Document Translation
• International Visitors Programs
• Iowa Partner State Program – Cultural Collaborator
• Passport to Prosperity

From Pride to Juneteenth to the Latino Heritage Festival, big, inclusive events are par for the course in Greater Des Moines (DSM). But there are smaller events celebrating diversity here, too. Attend one of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Multicultural Receptions, an event celebrating veterans or a sensory-friendly event in the region. Learn more here.