The 2024 DEI Awards were held on September 10. Stay tuned for more information about 2025!
As companies and individuals embark or continue on their DEI journey, this program’s goals are to help amplify businesses and people doing meaningful work for others. The purpose is to learn from and to also elevate those who have created inclusive work environments through their workforce, supplier diversity programs, employee development initiatives, community efforts, and more.
The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Workplace Excellence Awards has been a community-fueled event since 2021. Check out the highlight video from last year’s event. With a room full of 300+ people from all walks of life celebrating the importance of DEI, we celebrate the work that’s been done and recognize the importance of continued progress.Â
THANK YOU, PRESENTING SPONSOR:
This event intentionally revolves around four pillars: educate, elevate, celebrate, and motivate. It not only celebrates those who champion DEI, but it also inspires others to expand their own initiatives. This is all about action and impact. With over 90 applications in the first three years, we can’t wait to see that increase in the future as we learn from each other and put in the work.Â
This is all made possible thanks to the DEI Awards Committee, our partners, and our sponsors.
Registration will open in spring for the 2025 event. Stay tuned for a Save the Date.Â
In the meantime, enjoy these past photos to get excited about what’s ahead for the fifth year.
Award recipients of 11 categories will be honored, have the chance to share their story to inspire others, and give hundreds of leaders in attendance a challenge to consider.Â
The individuals and organizations being recognized include:Â
These award recipients were selected from a pool of 53 applicants by a panel of judges who come from all walks of life. They dedicated countless hours to thoroughly reviewing each application and curating valuable feedback for each applicant. That panel of judges included: Julie Bittner, Aleah Vaske, Stacey Cale, Courtney Greene, Jennifer Hahn, Jill Crosser, Joey Spivey, Jennifer Sorensen, Madison Melohn, Ashton Bierman, Eric Shepard, Gilmara Mitchell, Samantha Wepking, Lindsay Rone, Mary Core, Stacey Kimberlin, Moriah Morgan, Erin Kim Cho, Jerrica Marshall, Bobbi Segura, Ida Wood.
The deadline for the 2024 applications has passed, but it’s never too early to begin preparing for next year.
You can nominate yourself, your business, or others to be considered. Application criteria includes sharing how the work has impacted marginalized communities, how it demonstrates a dedication to DEI, how the individual/organization is acting as an advocate or leader for change, measurable outcomes and accomplishments, alignment with the WDM Chamber’s DEI Statement, sustainability of efforts, overall innovation and impact of work, and more. One supporting document may also be included such as a letter of recommendation, media created to highlight the DEI efforts, etc.Â
Next year’s applications will open in spring of 2025.
Questions? Contact the DEI Awards Committee’s Application Team at DEIawards@wdmchamber.org.
One way we further the impact of this program is through a local donation. A portion of the sponsorship proceeds is donated to a nonprofit who supports social injustice.
Previous donation recipients include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, CultureALL, Latina Leadership Initiative, and Can Play.
For the first time in 2024, instead of the WDM Chamber’s DEI Committee determining a separate nonprofit to receive the donation, the donation went directly to the award recipient for the Nonprofit category: Polk County Housing Trust Fund.
Additionally, there are two scholarships granted each year. One $2,000 scholarship is given to the Student Leader category award recipient to support their future education. The other $2,000 scholarship is provided in the form of a full-ride scholarship for the WDM Leadership Academy to the Emerging Leader category award recipient. Congratulations to SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas and La Toshia Burrell, who both received these opportunities to continue learning, growing, and building even more impact.
2024 EDUCATION PARTNER
As we consider the education pillar of the DEI Awards, our focus is on learning from award recipients and leaders attending the events. Additionally, the DEI Awards Committee selects one nonprofit each year to be the Education Partner, whose mission and impact are shared throughout the event to further inspire attendees.
This year’s Education Partner is Great Plains Action Society (GPAS). Founded by Sikowis Nobiss, who began organizing over 25 years ago during the Burnt Church Indigenous fisheries crisis, GPAS has been empowering Indigenous voices in Iowa since 2014 and became an official nonprofit in 2017.
GPAS is a small society of Indigenous Folks from the Great Plains region dedicated to resisting colonization and re-Indigenizing the land and the world around us. GPAS played a significant role during the NoDAPL resistance movement in 2016, bridging the gap between Indigenous communities and rural landowners, and establishing Little Creek Camp, an Indigenous-led resistance hub in Iowa.
Their efforts have brought Indigenous voices to the forefront of Iowa’s climate movement, advocating for the reMatriation of prairie, the return of first foods, and increased Indigenous land stewardship. GPAS addresses the trauma faced by Indigenous Peoples and the Earth, fighting against further Christian colonial capitalist violence by building power in Indigenous communities through reMatriation, healing justice, and a regenerative economy.
We are thrilled to be able to spotlight the inspiring work of the Great Plains Action Society and their dedication to uplifting traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge.
2024 NONPROFIT PARTNERS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
ADVOCATE SPONSOR
CHAMPION SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
Award Sponsor
Exclusive AV Sponsor
Video Sponsor
Want to show your support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by sponsoring these Workplace Excellence Awards? Contact Kara Matheson, VP of Workforce Development & Culture. Â
Our vision is to make West Des Moines the best suburban city in America to live, work and play—for everyone. Now is the time to show pride in our vibrant, diverse community. We look forward to you being involved in the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Workplace Excellence Awards.Â
This statement was created in 2023 by the WDM Chamber’s DEI Committee.Â
“At the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, we champion inclusion as a fundamental value. We strive for justice, equity, and love in all that we do, embracing the rich tapestry of humanity within our community. We believe that belonging is the key to our shared success, and we extend a warm welcome to all.”
