Legacy Leavers

Bonus - Reflecting on Meaningful Memories with Karla Jones

Today we’re joined by Karla Jones, the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines — a member of the Community Foundation leadership team for over two decades. Under Karla’s financial leadership the organization grew dramatically, from a small foundation with big dreams to one of the largest Community Foundations in the nation with more than $1B in assets under administration. Karla also helped lead the Foundation through major initiatives including the development of the Community Foundation’s Campus and C3 Center. Karla flexed her innovation and visionary muscle building the financial infrastructure for instrumental philanthropic programs such as the Community Foundation’s affiliate program, Endow Iowa Tax Credit program, the Charitable Investment Partners program and ImpactDSM, the Community Foundation’s impact investing program. She lives the better together spirit and she will most certainly be missed.   Links from the episode:  Community Foundation Campus and C3 Center [https://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/about-us/news/community-foundation-celebrates-newly-completed-campus-and-c3-center-with-dedication]  Community Foundation Affiliate Program [https://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/affiliates]  Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program [https://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/your-giving/endow-iowa-tax-credits]  Charitable Investment Partners [https://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/professional-advisors/charitable-investment-partners]  Arizona Community Foundation [https://www.azfoundation.org/]

Leading Beyond the Newsroom with Michael Gartner

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-One Editor at The Wall Street Journal, led The Des Moines Register as editor and president, oversaw NBC News as its president, and was editor of The Daily Tribune in Ames—where he earned a Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing. His passion for civic life is just as impressive. Michael chaired Vision Iowa, which revitalized the state’s infrastructure, he served as president of the Iowa Board of Regents, and was owner of the Iowa Cubs, demonstrating his spirit of generosity by distributing proceeds from the sale of the team among the Iowa Cubs’ staff.    Michael’s life reminds us that legacy is built through stories, community and the people we lift up along the way.  Links from the Episode:  The Des Moines Register [https://www.desmoinesregister.com/]  The Wall Street Journal [https://www.wsj.com]  NBC News [https://www.nbcnews.com/]  The Ames Daily Tribune [https://www.amestrib.com/]  Pulitzer Prize [https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/michael-gartner]  Vision Iowa [https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2020/09/09/vision-iowa-was-a-smart-investment-in-communities-the-state-should-bring-it-back/]  Iowa Cubs [https://www.milb.com/iowa]

A Legacy Earned with Ambassador Mary E. Kramer

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 Younkers, then as Vice President of Human Resources and Community Investments at Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield.   Mary entered politics in 1990 as an Iowa State Senator, ultimately becoming the first woman independently elected President of the Iowa Senate in 1997.   In 2002, she chaired the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, and in 2004, was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. She’s written two books and is an inspiring advocate and promoter of civility in life, work and politics. Mary Kramer embodies the wisdom that legacy isn’t given—it’s earned, moment by moment. Links from the Episode: Younkers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Younker_Brothers_Department_Store]  Political Career [https://2001-2009.state.gov/outofdate/bios/k/28570.htm]  More Than A Walk On The Beach: Confessions of an Unlikely Diplomat [https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Walk-Beach-Confessions/dp/1515110869?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DLxT_veS129JNN2-xZuJLA.ju25iX7JgnQ-XxuH5joDWRQTf1_NRaaT8P0Yr0UZVjM&dib_tag=AUTHOR]  An Unlikely Ambassador and Her Diplomatic Daughter: Stories & Recipes for the Life You Want [https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Ambassador-Her-Diplomatic-Daughter/dp/1512142131/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VFtCWMvvKjON9B7a_tBtOk1xqRDFFIVBWqZyIZdRrSvwTSwEp_GY9oBUpgoIz4uz3AkFs-Twt8DaaVY7Ee0M2Y9mdiYIgc70JKFfZkMgu54PmFcSRx_S-Fke9PdVx3Ab0XzI5OwDEosI2orhdhib2lIRy5eyBXZWc7hQgC1nIO6s0zPECnOmJqq3KEpyigM9HmgH9FFMuInwwUroTkRjxDyptEABzCissUq8sFrjnQo.vvtFB_OUFGXf03XmNHOijAXkZ1p42RkXgsKRhxAQ90c&dib_tag=se&qid=1764687369&refinements=p_27%3AMary+E.+Kramer&s=books&sr=1-6]

Service in Action with Joe Gonzalez

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 eldest of seven, often translating for his parents — an early lesson in responsibility that shaped a lifetime of public service. He joined DMPD at the age of 18 and for years was the department’s only Latino officer, paving the way for others.   After a 2013 on-duty accident ended his policing career, Joe turned resilience into service—stepping in as executive director of Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival, a two-day celebration representing cultures from across Latin America.   Joe’s story embodies our belief that we’re simply better together.    Links from the Episode: Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church  [https://www.stanthonydsm.org/] Des Moines Police Department [https://www.dsm.city/departments/police/index.php]  Iowa Latino Heritage Festival  [https://www.latinoheritagefestival.org/] Des Moines Technical High School [https://centralcampus.dmschools.org/about/central-campus-history/](now Des Moines Central Campus)

Shaping a Region with Martha Willits

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 local government and underscored her commitment to making sure every voice had a place at the table.  Martha went on to lead the Des Moines Partnership during a time of transformative growth, helping unite business, civic, and community interests around a shared vision for Central Iowa’s future. Along the way, she has served on countless boards, mentored rising leaders, and championed initiatives that continue to strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic fabric of our community.  Through every phase, Martha has fused kindness with impact, always guided by her teaching spirit, and believing that we are, as our own tagline says, better together.  Links from the Episode:  Des Moines Partnership [https://www.dsmpartnership.com/]  Prairie Meadows [https://www.prairiemeadows.com/about-us]  Project Destiny [https://bravogreaterdesmoines.org/about/]  United Way of Central Iowa [https://www.unitedwaydm.org/]