Pronouns: He/Him/His
Current Job: Research Associate, Youth Policy Institute of Iowa; performs research and evaluation in support of the Iowa Aftercare Services Network (IASN), the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative (JCYOI), Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP), and more (ypii.org).
Describe FLIA in three words.
“Fast-paced, intentional, progressive”
What does FLIA mean to you?
“FLIA was the missing link between myself and the nonprofit community in my new city. Without the fellowship opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to learn what professional roles fit (or don’t fit) my strengths and interests. Three-plus years after my fellowship, myself and my loved ones are in a much better place!"
Describe your career path. How did your fellowship with Future Leaders in Action prepare you for this role?
“After my fellowship, where I served as a Project Coordinator for BGCCI, I moved to the for-profit side of youth programming in order to pursue a unique Program Director role. I knew going in that my long-term goal was a career in the nonprofit or public sectors, but it proved to be a very instructive two-and-a-half years. In July of this year I joined Youth Policy Institute of Iowa (YPII) as a Research Associate. Thus far, it has been a perfect marriage of the research-heavy role and the level of flexibility I enjoyed as a Fellow.”
What is the most important thing you learned during your fellowship? Was there an individual, event or encounter that influenced the work you’re doing now?
"I met some wonderful people at BGCCI that I consider close friends and/or mentors to this day. To be sure, they taught me specific skills and modeled specific approaches that informed my work as a Fellow. But, even more importantly, they gave me the time to ask a great deal of questions about their nonprofit careers. How they came to be in the position they are in, how it fits into the larger organizational process, how it fits with their passions, and how they’re working to prepare themselves for their next position while excelling in their current one. In short, how to “play the game”. "
What’s something interesting about you that’s not in your resume?
“I am a proud player/coach for one of Des Moines’ two traveling LGBT softball teams (nagaaasoftball.org). I’ve represented the town in Kansas City, the Twin Cities, Madison, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis.”