The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Promotes Kara Matheson and Tom Florian
WEST DES MONES, IA (June 28, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) is proud to announce the promotion of Kara Matheson and Tom Florian.Two team members who have excelled in important ways to help further the Chamber and CityKara Matheson has been a leader with the WDM Chamber since September of 2018. She started in the role of manager of events and communications, was promoted to director of workforce development in 2020, to senior director of workforce development in 2021 and on
City of West Des Moines Launches Capital Campaign for Athene Pedestrian Bridge
Five Waters Project will connect Raccoon River Park to Walnut Woods State Park The City of West Des Moines is pleased to announce the name of the future Athene Pedestrian Bridge. Spanning the Raccoon River, this iconic bridge will serve as a connection for cyclists and pedestrians from Raccoon River Park to Walnut Woods State Park and dozens of miles of future trails. Thanks to a $750,000 contribution from Athene, the City is well on its way to realizing this game-changing project for our trail
10 Pitch Competition Winners Receive Collective $42,000 in Winnings
WEST DES MONES, IA (THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022) – Last week’s second annual Athene Black & Brown Business Summit presented by Wells Fargo saw two days of packed programming, all aimed at assisting minority business owners and entrepreneurs in building a legacy of wealth. Programming on Thursday was highlighted by a pitch competition, supported by Exclusive Pitch Competition Partner Bank of America. Ten businesses competed at the end of the day for a share of the $42,000 grand prize. Lumena Energy Inc. won
WDM Chamber Announces 10 Finalists for Pitch Competition
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, April 5, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) has identified the 10 finalists that will be competing for part of the $40,000+ grand prize at the Athene Black & Brown Business Summit (Athene Summit) pitch competition. Funds were raised through the generous support of the Athene Summit sponsors, George Herrera, the keynote speaker from the 2021 Summit and Travel & Leisure. The Athene Summit is brought to you by exclusive pitch competition partner Bank of
WDM Chamber Announces Get Active Fundraiser for Two Nonprofits
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) recently announced fundraising efforts held in conjunction with the Athene Black & Brown Business Summit (the Athene Summit): Get ACTIVE for the Athene Black & Brown Business Summit (Get ACTIVE Fundraiser). Bike, walk, run or just get active the week before the Athene Summit (April 11 – 15) to promote health, support social justice and raise funds for Hispanic Educational Resources/Conmigo Early Education
Daymond John, Dr. Pamela Jolly, Additional Speakers Announced for Athene Black & Brown Business Summit
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) is proud to announce their speaking lineup for the 2022 Athene Black & Brown Business Summit (the Athene Summit), presented by Wells Fargo. The lineup, which includes over 40 individuals, features two keynote speakers, Dr. Pamela Jolly and Daymond John. The Athene Summit is a two-day conference hosted at Athene. Day one features a pitch competition supported by exclusive pitch competition partner Bank of
WDM CHAMBERS BRINGS ON NAMING RIGHTS, PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR BLACK & BROWN BUSINESS SUMMIT
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022) – Athene and Wells Fargo have subsequently come on as the naming rights and presenting sponsors of the second-annual Black & Brown Business Summit (the Summit).“The inaugural Black & Brown Business Summit was an incredibly successful event, and we are proud to continue our sponsorship this year,” said Grant Kvalheim, CEO and president of Athene USA. “As a company, it is imperative that we use our voice and leadership position to advance economic opportunity for
Athene Black & Brown Business Summit Pitch Competition Now Accepting Applications
WEST DES MONES, IA (TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Athene Black & Brown Business Summit (BBBS) pitch competition, brought to you by exclusive pitch competition partner Bank of America. Deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, March 1 by 5 p.m. “The West Des Moines Chamber Black & Brown Business Summit pitch competition is a great opportunity for minority-owned businesses to propel towards success,” said Annie
WDM Chamber of Commerce Awarded MLK Jr. Community Organization Leadership Award
WEST DES MOINES, IA (Tuesday, January 25, 2022) - The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) was awarded the Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Community Organizational Leadership Award last Monday. The committee that organized the event at which it was distributed consisted of representatives from the City of West Des Moines (WDM), WDM Human Rights Commission, Greater Des Moines Partnership, WDM Historical Society, Des Moines University, and WDM Community School District. The WDM Chamber received this
WDM Chamber Welcomes 2022 Board of Directors Slate
WEST DES MONES, IA (Wednesday, January 19, 2022) – The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce (WDM Chamber) added seven new members and representatives to its Board of Directors (BOD) for 2022. The BOD is composed of 25 individuals, including 13 Board Members who are elected by WDM Chamber membership, eight representatives and four appointees. Elected Board Members beginning their two-year term in 2022 includes: Thomas Bosch, Vice President and Director of Des Moines Operations for Shive-Hattery Maria Davis,
ATHENE GAME CHANGER SCHOLARS PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2022
Athene USA (“Athene”), a leading provider of retirement savings products, announced today that the application period is now open for the 2022 Game Changer Scholars Program. In its second year, the program has expanded and will award $80,000 in scholarships on an annual basis through 40 individual scholarships. The Game Changer Scholars program is designed to support students with financial need to reach their educational goals. The scholarships will be awarded based on multiple criteria. Applicants must
BANK OF AMERICA SIGNS ON AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF BLACK & BROWN BUSINESS SUMMIT PITCH COMPETITION FOR
WEST DES MONES, IA (NOVEMBER 30, 2021) – Bank of America has signed on as the exclusive, three-year sponsor of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce’s (WDM Chamber) annual Black & Brown Business Summit (BBBS) pitch competition. In its first year, BBBS amassed over 400 attendees from a hybrid audience. In total, the event donated $15,000 back to the community, $10,000 of which came from the pitch competition. “The pitch competition is a great opportunity for minority small businesses to learn from top
Athene Earns 2022 Military Friendly® and Military Friendly® Spouse Employer Designations
West Des Moines, Iowa — November 11, 2021 — Athene Holding Ltd. through its U.S. insurance subsidiary, Athene USA, has earned both the 2022 Military Friendly® and Military Friendly® Spouse Employer designations, representing the top tier of institutions who provide the best opportunities for military service members and spouses. “At Athene, we believe that our service members have the leadership skills and values that are transferable to our business which can help drive our success. That’s why we are
Athene donates 400 computers to local nonprofit agencies
Athene USA (“Athene”), a leading provider of retirement savings products, donated 375 laptops and 50 desktops to United Way of Central Iowa.“The gently-used computers donated by Athene will help so many of our nonprofit partners to update their technology, and ultimately improve the service they provide,” said Mary Sellers, President of United Way of Central Iowa. “Athene is a long-time supporter of United Way, and we are grateful for their forward thinking in reducing e-waste and partnering with us to
WEST DES MOINES LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2021-2022 CLASS SELECTED
The leaders in the West Des Moines Chamber’s Leadership Academy are announced.WEST DES MONES, IA (JULY 28) – The West Des Moines Leadership Academy (WDMLA), a program of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, has announced its 2021 – 2022 class. This nine-month program will guide emerging leaders on a path to leadership effectiveness through experiential learning, critical thinking and a community impact project. WDMLA is presented by Carrier Access and supported by Renzo. In addition to the class listed
