Leadership Urbandale

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

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.

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 12-15 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.

2025 Class List

“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

2024 – 2025 Class Schedule

The Leadership Urbandale classes are all-day, immersive experiences. Each class runs from approximately 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. We ask attendees to plan accordingly.

September 5, 2024 | Orientation Lunch | 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

September 19, 2024 | Personal & Team Development

October 17, 2024 | Economic Development

November 14, 2024 | Leadership Skill Development

January 16, 2025 | Urbandale Civics

February 20, 2025 | State & County Civics

March 20, 2025 | History & Environment

April 17, 2025 | Community & Non-Profit

May 22, 2025 | Central Iowa Business Conference

June 12, 2025 | Graduation Ceremony

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

*Applications for the Class of 2025 are now closed. Interested in being a considered for the Class of 2026? Contact Sheila Twaroski ([email protected])*

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 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The selection committee will review all applications and applicants will be notified of their status by July 18, 2025.

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

2025 Class List

2025/2026 APPLICATION

“Knowledge is key. Anytime you can educate businesses and leaders of the community in which they work or live, you are enhancing the community experience. Not only will participants be able to learn more about the city and local government, but they will also be exposed to a variety of leadership opportunities along the way.”

Erica Boliver

Vice President of Human Resources, Delta Dental of Iowa

Thank you to our Program Sponsors!

Leadership Urbandale Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

September Session Sponsor

“I’m excited for the opportunity this program will offer current and upcoming leaders within the community of Urbandale. This is a carefully designed program that will expose and educate participants on the various aspects of the community and prepare them to be stronger leaders and contributors. In addition to exposure to areas of Urbandale’s infrastructure and industry, the Leadership Urbandale program will educate and develop personal and team skills for most effective future leadership. This will be an amazing program to be part of, Urbandale will continue to grow leaders!”

Kim Hinkhouse

Business Director, Design2Build

“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

Adam Obrecht | AO Wealth Advisory

Christy Jones | Clarity Business Coaching

Curtis Brown | City of Urbandale

Erica Boliver | Delta Dental of Iowa

Clint Dudley | Shade Tree Auto

Kim Hinkhouse | Design2Build

Gina Wright | Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Sheila Twaroski | Urbandale Chamber of Commerce

Tiffany Menke | Urbandale Chamber of Commerce