While nominations definitely help a person with the process of applying, they are not required.

The West Des Moines Leadership Academy is for anyone who lives, works or plays in West Des Moines. Anyone who is interested in the success of West Des Moines is encouraged to apply.

The tuition for the West Des Moines Leadership Academy includes course binder, hand-out materials, presenter fees, group transportation, meals and class certificate.  The cost is as follows:

West Des Moines Chamber members: $2,000

Non-Chamber members: $2,500

*See Early Bird Discount details below

If you submit your application before April 30 at 5 PM, we will receive your submission before the Early Bird Deadline. If you get selected to be in the upcoming class, you will receive a $200 discount for your tuition. 

You will receive:

• Over 30 hours of leadership training over the course of 9 classes
• An enhanced understanding and appreciation of community strengths, needs, and prospects
• The opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with approximately 35-40 other leaders, 13 advisory committee members, 4 sub-committees, and 430+ alumni
• The opportunity to engage with numerous community leaders from West Des Moines schools, government, non-profits, health care entities, and more
• The chance to make a real difference in the West Des Moines community through an organized class project 

Scholarship opportunities are limited to the following:

• Scholarship funds are available for a leader in a nonprofit organization who is a member of the Chamber and who otherwise would not be able to send a leader through WDMLA (see checkbox on application)
• The West YP Leadership Committee will select one active young professional to receive a scholarship (there is no limit to the number of West YP members who can be accepted into the class) 
• One active member of the Latino Trade Network will be selected to receive a WDMLA scholarship (active members must select the applicable checkbox on the WDMLA application)
• The award recipient of the Emerging Leader category for the DEI Workplace Excellence Awards will receive one scholarship 

The program was developed with the intention of building leaders in the WDM area. Each of the classes has an educational session that adds to the participant’s knowledge about a specific topic or area of community activity PLUS a leadership skill development component. Situational leadership, conflict management, poverty simulations, team building, coaching, personal branding and speaking for success are just a few of the leadership skills you will learn or improve upon.

The WDMLA Advisory Council works to coordinate all session dates for the following year in the spring. The dates will be shared by early summer with the leaders who are offered a seat in the class to ensure their schedule aligns before they accept their seat. All classes are in person; there are no virtual opportunities to participate in this program.