A Legacy Earned with Ambassador Mary E. Kramer

Business Leader to Community Builder with Fred Hubbell

Today on Legacy Leavers, we're honored to sit down with a leader whose name is deeply woven into the history—and the future—of Des Moines: Fred Hubbell. Fred is a businessman, a committed civic leader, and strategic philanthropist whose impact spans decades. A Des Moines native, Fred built his career leading major organizations, including serving as president of Equitable of Iowa and chair of its Younkers retail division, helping guide the company through periods of significant growth and transformation. But Fred’s leadership extends well beyond business. He has played a key role in shaping public policy and community investment in Iowa—serving as acting director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development and chairing the Iowa Power Fund, helping guide investments in renewable energy and economic growth across the state. Fred and his wife, Charlotte, have also been extraordinary champions of philanthropy—supporting causes across health care, education, the environment, and the arts, and helping lead major community efforts, including disaster recovery following the 2008 floods. And in 2018, Fred stepped into the public arena in a new way, running for governor of Iowa and engaging Iowans across all 99 counties in conversations about the future of our state. At the heart of Fred’s story is a deep belief in community; that success is not just about what you build, but what and how you give back. Links from the Episode : Fred Hubbell Bio [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Hubbell]  Equitable of Iowa [https://equitable.com/about-equitable]  Younkers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Younkers]  Iowa Department of Economic Development [https://opportunityiowa.gov/about/iowa-economic-development-authority]  2008 Flooding [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_flood_of_2008]  Hostage situation Pakistani Airlines Boeing 720 [https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/03/11/Hostage-recounts-plane-ordeal/7863353134800/]

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)