515-331-6855

Leadership Urbandale

Unlock Your Leadership Potential with our Transformative Program, Leadership Urbandale!

Presented by heyGrace

Whether you’re a seasoned executive seeking to refine your skills or an aspiring leader ready to embark on your journey, our comprehensive program offers invaluable insights and practical strategies to propel you to success.

Through dynamic workshops, interactive discussions, hands-on experiences, you’ll cultivate the confidence, vision, and influence necessary to inspire teams, drive innovation, and navigate complex challenges with finesse. Join us and embark on a path of continuous growth and empowerment as you harness the art and science of effective leadership.

Leadership Urbandale begins in September and concludes with a graduation celebration in June.

Applications are now closed. If you have interest and want to learn more, please click on the link below or contact Gina Wright at [email protected]

 

I'm Interested!

Mission Statement

Leadership Urbandale will develop diverse individuals for leadership roles in the community.

Leadership Urbandale is a re-imagined program, to provide an immersive experience for aspiring local leaders. During the program year, the class of approximately 15-20 leaders convenes 1 day each month where participants experience a full day of policy briefings and onsite tours providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing our community.

Class members who successfully graduate from the program will be welcomed into the elite ranks of Leadership Urbandale graduates.

Alumni

Presented by

“We all benefit from the opportunities in Urbandale, whether as residents or businesses. Learning about and getting involved in the community is a great way to pay your “civic rent,” contributing to the success of Urbandale in exchange for all we’ve received. I encourage leaders at any level to consider Leadership Urbandale as a way to get started in making a positive contribution to our city.”
Robert D. Andeweg

Mayor, City of Urbandale

“I was fortunate to participate in Leadership Urbandale early in my career and it helped me create community connections. The skills we were also able to develop as a class have provided me leadership skills I use today. Being able to reimagine how a Leadership Urbandale can serve the community going forward has been a great process.”
Adam Obrecht

Owner, AO Wealth

“The revamped Leadership Urbandale program focuses on educating, informing, and engaging our current residents, workers, and businesses in all aspects of Urbandale life. We understand that to foster a thriving city, we need resilient residents, employers, and employees who are ready to lead Urbandale into a bright future. Our objective is to cultivate leaders who will go out and make significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of our city.”
Christy Jones

Owner, Clarity Business Coaching

 

2026 – 2027 Class Schedule

The Leadership Urbandale classes are all-day, immersive experiences. Each class runs from approximately 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. We ask attendees to plan accordingly. 

September 21, 2026 | Orientation & Social Hour | 3:30-6:00pm

September 24, 2026 | Personal Assessment, Team Challenge & Urbandale History Day 

October 15, 2026 | Economic Development Tour

October 22, 2026 | UPLIFT Day

November 19, 2026 | Leadership & Excellence Day

December 17, 2026 | Civics Day – State 

January 21, 2027 | Civics Day – Regional & City

February 18, 2027 | Civics Day – Regional & City 

March 25, 2027 | Business Continuity & Environmental Stewardship Day

April 15, 2027 | Non-Profit, Schools & City Day

May 20, 2027 | Central Iowa Business Conference

June 2027 | Graduation Ceremony

Applications are accepted for consideration from May – June annually. Participants will be selected and notified in mid July.

**Applications for the 2026/2027 year are now closed.**

 

 

Tuition is $1,800 for Urbandale Chamber of Commerce members and $2,200 for Non-Urbandale Chamber of Commerce members.

Applications must be received by June 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The selection committee will review all applications and applicants will be notified of their status by July 17, 2026. **Applications will open on April 15 at 8:00**

If you have any questions, please contact Gina Wright, [email protected] or by calling 515-331-6855. 

 

“What an amazing opportunity it has been to participate in the Leadership Urbandale Class of 2025!  Our class was provided the ability to connect with local leaders in business, philanthropy, and civics.  Not only have we met some tremendous leaders within our community, but also allowed us to see “behind the scenes” at their place of work.  Most important, we have forged deep relationships with our classmates and further explored how to effectively lead in our own businesses and life.  Cheers to the many classes to follow – this is an opportunity worth every cent.”
Zach Bouslog

Class of 2025

Photo Gallery

Check out our full gallery, including images from this year’s Leadership Urbandale class!

Leadership Urbandale Photo Gallery

Thank you to our Program Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Food and Beverage Sponsor

“Leadership Urbandale is a cohort program that builds relationships, provides leadership learning opportunities, and gives a behind the scenes peek into the city of Urbandale and all that it has to offer. It is a great opportunity that everyone would benefit from.”
Amy Gulling

Managing Member, EDversed

“Urbandale continues to grow and improve thanks to dedicated leaders within our community. With all the changes in the last few years, the Chamber is relaunching Leadership Urbandale with updated content and classes that fit our present and future growth. We’re excited to share new ideas and ways to become an expert at leading within your job, family, and the Urbandale community.

Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all, and Urbandale is not like your average city. With the unique opportunities right here, the Chamber has updated and relaunched Leadership Urbandale specifically tailored to our community. Learn more about the history and the future of Urbandale, along with the best practices of leadership taught by those who helped grow our city.”

Clint Dudley

Owner, Shade Tree Auto

Leadership Urbandale Committee Members

                                                                                               Christy Jones | 2027 Chair | Clarity Business Coaching

Curtis Brown | City of Urbandale

 Liliana Grace | heyGrace

Clint Dudley | Shade Tree Auto

Marla Mayberry | JLL

                                                                                              Zach Bouslog | The Des Moines Group at Morgan Stanley

                                                                                                           Ryan Ford | The Mutual Group

                                                                                                        Tony Dressen | Kading Properties

                                                                                         Geoff Sellers | Simpson, Jensen, Abels, Fischer & Bouslog P.C.

                                                                                             Gina Wright | Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Kelly Troxel | Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

 Tiffany Menke | Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

 

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