Youth Leadership Initiative

What is YLI?

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) releases untapped potential in the next generation of community leaders. This untapped potential is released as students learn skills that propel them into their next steps of life and as they embrace their roles as shapers of a community where their dreams can be realized.

High school students get out of the classroom and into real-life learning experiences throughout Greater Des Moines. Their teachers are local business and community experts. Their subjects are opportunities and challenges in our region. Their lessons teach self, group, professional, and community leadership skills to prepare for their futures. Their program graduation showcases students who are ready to shape a community and take action.

Who should apply?

Students with plenty of room to grow! Participants who gain the most from YLI are:

Ready to learn about their community and how they can shape its future.
Enthusiastic about building professional skills and gaining exposure to possible career paths.
Open to exploring their leadership potential, perhaps having had few previous opportunities.
Sincere about forming connections with fellow students and mentors from across Greater Des Moines.
Eager to gain confidence, step outside their comfort zones, and learn about themselves.

Application Process

YLI Class of 2026 applications are now closed.
For more information including tips for applying, check out our Application Aid.
Notification of students selected for the next YLI cohort will be completed before the end of the current school year.
Contact us with questions about the program.

Program Details

Each YLI cohort is comprised of approximately 40 high school students from both public and private schools across the Greater Des Moines area.
Eligible students will be in 10th-12th grade going into the next academic year.
Sessions take place during the school day one Friday per month and occasional Monday evenings from October through May.
The program is tuition-free, thanks to generous support from people and organizations who believe in the leadership potential of youth.
Students can earn up to 4 DMACC college credits through completion of all YLI program requirements.

Alumni Resources

Alumni Spotlight! Let us feature you!

YLI Class of 2025:

Zara Ahmed, Waukee High School

Faith Asiedu Fianko, Ankeny High School

Allison Blum, Adel DeSoto Minburn High School

Davis Carroll, Waukee High School

Leslie Cisneros, North High School

Claire Coffey, Carlisle High School

Logan Corwin, Roosevelt High School

Jackson Crabb, Southeast Polk High School

Nolan Craig, Waukee Northwest High School

Isabella Crouch, Dowling Catholic High School

Angelina Dang, Roosevelt High School

Kyra Davis, Virtual Campus

Grace DeCastro, North High School

Sahasra Dendi, Johnston High School

Sritha Devarapu, Waukee High School

Lillian Frideres, Nevada High School

Ava Garvey, Norwalk High School

Lilly Garvey, Norwalk High School

Dornubari Godpower, North High School

Kelsey Greenslade, Adel DeSoto Minburn High School

Dalal Hasaballa, North High School

Cindy He, Lincoln High School

Ansira Irakoze, East High School

Elizabeth Iverson, Norwalk High School

Kalya Kothavale, Waukee Northwest High School

Michelle McConkey, Waukee High School

Elizabeth Melcher, Dowling Catholic High School

Deziyre Miller, Roosevelt High School

Arjun Mittra, Roosevelt High School

Frise Mukina, North High School

Navid Nasseh, Valley High School

Omid Nasseh, Valley High School

Jonah O’Neal, North High School

Corbin Oswald, Norwalk High School

Sierra Pradhan, Waukee Northwest High School

Lakshmi Kausalya Reddy, Ankeny High School

Mason Royal, Dowling Catholic High School

Nardeen Sabri, Valley High School

Annabelle Schwartz, Urbandale High School

Mehar Sidhu, Waukee Northwest High School

Braden Steenhard, Waukee Northwest High School

Tyler Stiegelmeier, Norwalk High School

Carrington Williams-Thomas, Waukee High School

Graham Wise, Roosevelt High School

Testimonials

"YLI has changed my mindset, my point of view, my insight on things, and my options for the better. YLI gives the experiences of a lifetime and leads to other opportunities for high schoolers that you may not get anywhere else in Des Moines. YLI has taught me that I have to speak up and share my opinions on what I love."

-Riziki, YLI Class of 2019

"In the last 5 years, I have met with many capable smart young people. In working with them, I have realized that even though most have good grades, they lack other life skills. Good grades alone can’t get them scholarships and ready for future jobs. They will need leadership, service and character to help them secure great opportunities and that is what YLI offers. YLI has helped my daughter enhance her other skills and I truly appreciate the opportunity that my child has been given through YLI."

-Nancy, Riziki's Mom

"The leadership skills that I have gotten to witness and experience though YLI are greater than I ever could’ve imagined. I have been fortunate to be able to interact with amazing community leaders and learn from their experiences. My communication and interpersonal skills have gotten stronger from interacting with my mentors and learning from them. The skills I have gained and improved upon relate heavily to the five leadership practices, in which I have become better at identifying in my everyday life. I will be able to use these attributes as I continue to go after my personal and professional goals."