Capital Crossroads Selects Consulting Team for Next Regional Vision Plan
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (June 8, 2022) – The leaders of Capital Crossroads have selected a consulting team for the next iteration of the regional vision plan after a thorough RFP process. The selected team consists of local, regional and national experts who value equity, foresight and creativity. The consultant team will be led by Rebecca Ryan, APF of Madison-based NEXT Generation Consulting in partnership with EQT By Design, Group Creatives and Green Heron Planning, LLC.
The team brings two timely and proven processes to planning for Central Iowa’s future: an equity centered approach, anchored by Annette Miller of Madison-based EQT by Design; and strategic foresight, a process used by non-governmental organizations, the U.S. military and Fortune 500 companies to imagine and execute transformational futures, anchored by Rebecca Ryan. Miller and Ryan are joined by Des Moines-based community culture builder Teva Dawson, North Carolina-based award-winning planner Ben Hitchings, futurist and consultant Dr. Charlie Granthan and retired Chamber executive and lead consultant David G. Brown.
The next iteration of the regional vision plan will build upon the momentum created by the major accomplishments of Capital Crossroads over the past ten years including the Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON), Cultivation Corridor, Regional Cultural Assessment, Central Iowa Code Consortium, Here We Grow: workforce housing initiative, DSM USA 4 Equity Collective, Make It OK in Iowa and more. The consulting team will work with and in the community to implement an inclusive and robust planning process to set the new north stars guiding the future of Central Iowa forward. More information about the process and opportunities for feedback will be shared at the Capital Crossroads website in the coming weeks.
“We are excited to work with this team of creative consultants to begin the process of imagining the future of our region for the next ten years and beyond,” said Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and quad-chair of Capital Crossroads. “Capital Crossroads has a history of challenging our region to think bigger and collaborate, and we know that we have picked the right team to help us continue that legacy.”
“Central Iowa prides itself on not resting on our laurels and not settling for good enough,” said Teree Caldwell-Johnson, president and CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood and quad-chair of Capital Crossroads. “We know that there is always work to be done, and we look forward to convening the consulting team and the community to develop the roadmap for Capital Crossroads and our future.”
“Our region is growing rapidly and accomplishing many of the goals our community has strived to achieve,” said Angela Connolly, chair of the Polk County Supervisors and quad-chair of Capital Crossroads. “The next iteration of Capital Crossroads could not come at a better time as we think about what comes next for Central Iowa.”
“When our community sets out to create a vision plan, we all roll up our sleeves and put the plan to action,” said Jay Byers, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and quad-chair of Capital Crossroads. “The growth and success our region has realized in recent years is due to plans like Capital Crossroads and the partners that invest in the strategies through their time, energy, and resources. We are eager to work with the consulting team and the community to develop a plan that will activate the region around a shared vision for the future.”
Capital Crossroads and the next regional vision plan are supported through generous investments from Bravo Greater Des Moines, Catch Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Oakridge Neighborhood, Polk County and the United Way of Central Iowa.
About Capital Crossroads
Capital Crossroads is a bold but achievable vision pushing Central Iowans to dream big, not settle for good enough, think long term, and work together. Capital Crossroads brings together nearly 700 community volunteers to meet the challenges of the future while building on our past successes. The initiative and regional vision planning process are in partnership with Bravo Greater Des Moines, Catch Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Oakridge Neighborhood, Polk County and the United Way of Central Iowa.