West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Open Nominations for 2026 High School Leadership Academy

WEST DES MOINES, IA (October 14, 2025) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) today announced that nominations are now open for the 2026 High School Leadership Academy (HSLA)—a free, spring-semester program exclusively for students in grades 9–11 within the West Des Moines Community School District (WDMCS). Led by Meredith Murphy, Director of Future Workforce at the WDM Chamber, HSLA will select 30 students for its 2026 program, featuring four full-day sessions designed to build leadership, confidence, and professional skills.

“I am so thrilled we are once again opening applications for our High School Leadership Academy!” said Meredith Murphy, Director of Future Workforce at the WDM Chamber. “This program invests in the skills, confidence, and joy of the students at West Des Moines Community School District with the aim of encouraging them to make West Des Moines their home after graduation.”

About HSLA
The vision of HSLA is to help West Des Moines students build the skills and confidence to take on whatever comes next. Through hands-on experiences, expert speakers, and real-world training, students gain the tools to lead, collaborate, and stand out in their school, work, and community.

Program highlights include:

• Off-campus business tours at two West Des Moines companies

• Local and national speakers and interactive workshops

• Community volunteering opportunities

• A curriculum focused on leadership, communication, career exploration, professionalism, civic engagement, and community impact

• Transportation provided for off-campus sessions

• No cost to students or families

Eligibility & Nomination

• Open to WDMCS students in grades 9–11 (Class size: 30).

• Students may nominate themselves or be nominated by teachers, staff, parents, peers, or community members.

• The nomination form asks about prior leadership experiences and emphasizes how a student could grow through HSLA—especially for those who haven’t yet had leadership opportunities but want the chance to become one.

• Nominations are reviewed by a panel of sponsors, WDMCS teachers and staff, and WDM Chamber staff.

Nominate a student: Direct Nomination Form

Learn more & watch the video: HSLA Homepage • HSLA Video

Supporters & Sponsorship
The WDM Chamber thanks Supporting Sponsors, including Financial Plus Credit Union and NCMIC, for investing in the next generation of leaders.

• Financial Plus Credit Union: https://www.financialpluscu.com/

• NCMIC: https://www.ncmic.com/

To see all supporters, view the full sponsor list on the HSLA homepage: wdmchamber.org/programs/hsla/

Sponsorship inquiries: Please contact Meredith Murphy, Director of Future Workforce, at meredith@wdmchamber.org to learn more about becoming a sponsor.

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About the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce
The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, established in 1924, is a dynamic organization dedicated to championing all things West Des Moines. With a focus on strengthening local businesses, providing personalized resources, and attracting a top-tier workforce, the Chamber aims to position WDM as the best suburban city in America. Celebrating a century of excellence, the Chamber boasts a diverse community of over 900 members, offering something for everyone. Explore the possibilities, learn more about the chamber, and discover how you can get involved in shaping the future of West Des Moines at wdmchamber.org.