Legacy Leavers

Today on Legacy Leavers, we're excited to sit down with a true journalistic icon and committed civic steward, Michael Gartner. Born and raised right here in Des Moines, Michael’s professional story began when he was just 15 years old in the sports department of The Des Moines Register and has since spanned the highest echelons of national media, public service and community building.   

Over decades, Michael served as Page-O...

Today on the Legacy Leavers podcast, we're pleased to have Ambassador Mary E. Kramer join us to tell her story as an Iowa trailblazer whose remarkable career spans classrooms, boardrooms, the Iowa capitol and even international diplomacy. 

An Iowa native, Ambassador Kramer spent twenty years teaching and serving as a school administrator. In 1975, she transitioned into the corporate world—first as personnel director at Younk...

Today on Legacy Leavers, we're welcoming Joe Gonzalez — a retired Des Moines Police Department leader whose 42-year career helped build lasting bridges between law enforcement and the community. As a trusted liaison, Joe championed outreach and trust-building and mentored many who came up behind him both at the police department but also in the community.   

Born in Mexico and raised in Des Moines from 1957, Joe was the elde...

Today on Legacy Leavers, we welcome Martha Willits, a lifelong educator, public servant, and community leader whose influence has touched nearly every corner of Greater Des Moines. She began her career as a teacher, shaping young minds and instilling the value of learning, before stepping into public service as the first woman elected to the Polk County Board of Supervisors. That groundbreaking role paved the way for other women in...

We’re kicking off season 2 with an inspiring conversation featuring Ambassador Terry Branstad! Ambassador Branstad is a tremendously skilled and respected political leader whose life’s work reflects deep public service on a truly historic scale. 

An Iowa native, his journey began in the Iowa House of Representatives, continued through service as lieutenant governor and ascended to his record-breaking tenure as the longest-servin...

In this final episode of Season 1, we're honored to welcome Dr. Mary Chapman — a pioneering educator, civic leader and tireless advocate for equity and opportunity in Greater Des Moines.  

As the first woman to serve as Executive Dean at Des Moines Area Community College's Urban Campus, Dr. Chapman broke barriers and set new standards for inclusive leadership. Her visionary work and passion for youth led to the creation ...

In this episode of Legacy Leavers, we are honored to welcome a long-time friend and mentor, Fred Weitz. As you’ll hear today, Fred is a man of great vision whose contributions have shaped the landscape of Des Moines and beyond.

Professionally, Fred Weitz served as the CEO of The Weitz Company from 1974 to 1995, a period during which he guided the company through transformative growth. Under his leadership, The Weitz Company beca...

On this episode of Legacy Leavers, we welcome Dr. Richard Deming — a renowned oncology physician, a human widely known for his commitment to compassion and a visionary leader whose work has transformed our community – and he has saved and inspired countless lives across Iowa and beyond. 

Dr. Deming is the Medical Director of the MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center in Des Moines. His approach to cancer treatment focuses not onl...

Today on Legacy Leavers, we welcome Nolden Gentry — a trailblazer whose journey from the basketball courts of Rockford, Illinois, to the legal and civic arenas of Des Moines exemplifies leadership, resilience and community commitment.  

A standout athlete at the University of Iowa, Nolden chose to channel his drive and discipline into the field of law, becoming a founding partner of Brick Gentry, P.C., where he practiced law for...

Today on Legacy Leavers, we're honored to sit down with one of the most influential voices in Greater Des Moines — Connie Wimer.  

As the founder and chair of Business Publications Corporation, Connie has spent decades shaping how our community sees itself — telling the stories of our leaders, our challenges and our growth.  

But her legacy extends far beyond the page. A trailblazer for women in business, a civic leader a...

I’m Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, and I’m excited to announce a new podcast that celebrates the visionaries that have shaped, and are shaping, Greater Des Moines through philanthropy, leadership and service. On Legacy Leavers, I’ll be sitting down with remarkable individuals who have a history of using their influence, vision and resources to leave a lasting legacy.  

At the Community Fou...