Des Moines University President Publishes New Book on Leadership

WEST DES MOINES, IA (02/19/2025) Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., president and CEO of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, has published a new book, Leadership From the Ground Up. It offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at her leadership journey.

The book provides a glimpse into Franklin's 13-year tenure at DMU, the nation's second-oldest university dedicated to osteopathic medicine and health sciences. It captures the lessons, challenges and triumphs she encountered while guiding DMU through unprecedented growth - including the construction of an entirely new campus in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Leadership From the Ground Up is more than a memoir. It's a roadmap for current and aspiring leaders, with practical insights on innovation, resilience and inclusivity. Franklin dedicates the book to "all the women who have ever doubted their ability to lead," sharing authentic reflections on her efforts to revitalize DMU.

"True leadership is about fostering an environment where every voice is valued, and every challenge is seen as an opportunity for growth," Franklin says.

The book chronicles the strategic decisions that have defined DMU's success, from creating a culture of engagement and resilience to building an effective executive leadership team. Readers will also find leadership lessons applicable beyond higher education - in business, nonprofit work and community leadership.

Leadership From the Ground Up follows Franklin's memoir, An Unconventional Journey An Unlikely Choice, which documented her path to becoming DMU's president. In her new book, she picks up the story, detailing the obstacles and victories of her presidency and offering actionable advice for navigating leadership challenges.

"For those who wondered about the rest of the story after reading my memoir, I will now share what happened after I arrived, from the honeymoon phase to the tumult of storms and battles to the fine organization that we now have - an organization that has endured many challenges and has overcome them," Franklin writes in the book's preface. "Those of you coming to my story for the first time will, I hope, find inspiration and courage, and a fresh point of view that will help you overcome your own challenges."

Leadership From the Ground Up is available at the DMU Campus Store and on Amazon.

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