Vote for your top News Changemakers selection. From this list of exemplary individuals and organizations, we invite you to vote for who you think is the top News Changemaker in each category: Past, Present and Future. At our upcoming 20th Anniversary of dsm magazine and the 40th Anniversary of Business Record on Dec. 13, we’ll recognize all of the finalists and announce who you – our readers – have deemed the top News Changemaker of the Year. Submit your ballot by Nov. 27.

1.Business Leader - Legacy (select one)  
The finalists in the Business Leader - Legacy category have undergone a transition in their career and are either retiring or moving out of their current leadership position.

Frank Cownie - mayor, city of Des Moines - did not seek reelection after 20 years as mayor.

Clyde Evans -  community and economic development director, city of West Des Moines - retired from the city of West Des Moines after 32 years.

Scott Packard - CEO, Wright Service Corp. - retired after serving as CEO for 21 years.

2.Cultural Leader - Legacy (select one)
The finalists in the Cultural Leader - Legacy category have undergone a transition in their career and are either retiring or moving out of their current leadership position.

Jeff Fleming - director, Des Moines Art Center - retired after 18 years as director.

Molly Phillips - executive director and general manager, Iowa PBS - retiring after 34 years with the organization.

Mark Wyatt - executive director, Iowa Bicycle Coalition - retiring after serving as executive director since 2006.

3.Business Story of the Year (select one)
The finalists in the Business Story of the Year made significant news in 2023.

BLK & Bold recognized as one of Iowa's fastest growing companies

Des Moines Airport Authority groundbreaking and affirmative bond vote on terminal expansion.

Greater Des Moines Partnership navigates successful leadership transition to new CEO Tiffany Tauscheck

4.Cultural Story of the Year (select one)
The finalists in the Cultural Story of the Year made significant news during 2023.

Community Foundation C3 Center opens

Easter Lake universally accessible waterfront park

ICON Water Trails launch the Scott Ave. segment of the project

5.Business Leader - Newcomer of the Year (select one)
The finalists in the Business Leader - Newcomer of the Year category are either relatively new to Central Iowa or to their leadership position.

Dr. Adreain Henry - president, Mercy College of Health Sciences - Dr. Henry became the fourth president to lead the college.

David Keith - president of insurance solutions, Wellabe - Keith will become CEO of Wellabe in January 2024.

Amanda Wanke - CEO, DART - Wanke became the CEO of DART in July.

6.Cultural Leader - Newcomer of the Year (select one)
The finalists in the Cultural Leader - Newcomer of the Year category are either relatively new to Central Iowa or to their leadership position.

Kelly Baum - director, Des Moines Art Center - Baum became director of the Des Moines Art Center in May.

Jerrica Marshall - executive director, The Directors Council - Marshall is the first executive director of the organization.

Ian Roberts - superintendent, Des Moines Public Schools - Roberts became superintendent of DMPS in July.