Community Difference Makers

Learn more about Mainframe Studios’ journey and how you can support local artists from Julia Franklin, Executive Director of Mainframe Studios, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about ICON Water Trails’ mission and their top priorities in 2025 from Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director of ICON Water Trails, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more on the state of fundraising for Central Iowa nonprofits from Nikki Syverson, Principal of Isaacson-Syverson Consulting, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about the important work Above + Beyond Cancer is doing to doing to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey from Executive Director Alissa McKinney, Above + Beyond Cancer board member and Senior Private Banking Officer Becky Moomey, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about how the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden works to explore, explain and celebrate the world of plants with our community from CEO Kim Perez and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about how the Principal Charity Classic not only brings world class professional golf to Des Moines but how it also raises millions of dollars for Iowa’s children’s charities from Alex McCarty, Tournament Director, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about the important work WesleyLife is doing to support the independence, health and well-being of older adults wherever they call home from Sophia Ahmad, Vice President of Philanthropy of the WesleyLife Foundation and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the important work Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa is doing to improve the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill or living with special needs from Executive Director Sheri McMichael, Polo on the Green committee member and Bankers Trust’s General Counsel and Senior Risk Officer Emily Stork, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the important work the Greater Des Moines Partnership is doing to support economic and community development initiatives throughout the region from President and CEO Tiffany Tauscheck and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about what HOME, Inc. is doing to give their clients the tools and resources needed to feel empowered to make a safe, stable home for themselves or their family from Executive Director Carrie Woerdeman, board member Jeni Cooper, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the work 6th Avenue Corridor is doing to remember the history of the area while focusing on purposeful revitalization and economic development from executive director Breann Bye, board member Wayne Middleton, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about what the Young Women’s Resource Center is doing to empower participants to become strong, self-confident and resilient from Executive Director Kari Zimmerman, board member Stephanie Dose, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about what The Iowa Center is doing to empower and guide entrepreneurs to start believing they can achieve financial success from President and CEO Megan Milligan, board member Kevin Chorniak, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the work Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa is doing to remove barriers and level the playing field so all young people can reach their full potential from CEO Tony Timm, board member David Chapman, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the work Orchard Place, the largest children’s mental health provider in Iowa, is doing to develop strong futures for Iowa’s kids from CEO Anne Starr, board member Joe DeJong, and host Emily Abbas. 

Learn more about the Bankers Trust Employee Volunteer Award winners. Hear about what drives our top volunteers, what causes they are most passionate about and how they serve our community. 

Learn more about the creation of the Bankers Trust Iowa Artists Collection and how individuals, businesses and cities can enhance their spaces through art with Liz Lidgett of Liz Lidgett Gallery and Design. 

Learn more about the work Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa is doing to help girls build courage, confidence and character from CEO Beth Shelton, board member Jenny Carter, and host Emily Abbas.

Learn more about the work Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa is doing to support mentoring relationships that empower youth from CEO Bridget Cravens-Neely, board member D’Angelo Johnson, and host Emily Abbas.