DSM Fellowship Program Announces Graduates Of 2024 Cohort
GREATER DES MOINES, IA (June 26, 2024) — The Greater Des Moines Partnership has announced the 2024 graduating class of the DSM Fellowship Program. The cohort began its programming in February of 2023 and consists of 19 individuals from eight Greater Des Moines (DSM) organizations.
The DSM Fellowship Program is a preeminent professional development initiative to attract, develop and retain a diverse community of top-tier young talent. Companies from throughout the DSM community participate in the program by selecting young professionals that have up to two years of experience in their organizations. The mission of the program is to enhance organizational workplace diversity, give participants access to opportunities that will accelerate their professional experiences and help them establish lasting connections to retain them in the community.
The following Fellows graduated from the 2024 cohort:
- Pawel Barnas, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Zach Dewey, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Daykota Freel, Farm Bureau Financial Services
- Renee George, F&G
- McKenzie Kerry, Principal
- Hailey Knoth, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Cody Krause, Farm Bureau Financial Services
- Josefina Lopez Valdivia, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Seerat Marwaha, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Leonardo Perez, John Deere Financial
- AJ RC, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
- Ann Samuelson, TrueNorth Companies, L.C.
- Alyson Sassman, F&G
- Erica Schulz, Nationwide
- Kate Slusark, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
- Kiandre Smith, Nationwide
- Jasmine Stout, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Satya Krishna Vidya Sagar Tallapragada, John Deere Financial
- Esther Tang, Federal Home Loan of Bank Des Moines
“We are excited to celebrate the third cohort of graduates as they embark in making a positive impact in their companies and across the region,” said Lexi Shafer, Director of Workforce at The Partnership. “This program supports employers in creating a workplace that fosters retention and career growth of young professionals from various backgrounds and helps them create lasting connections in the community.”
Watch for more information to register for the 2025-2026 cohort this fall.
Find more information about the DSM Fellowship Program on The Partnership’s website or contact Lexi Shafer at lshafer@DSMpartnership.com.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 400 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.