Leadership Urbandale Alumni

With a background in marketing, communications, and psychology, Kalese Sheldahl is passionate about creating and elevating the customer experience, building a strong brand, and telling her company’s story. As a Marketing Program Manager at Van Meter Inc, she leads the creative services and marketing communications arm of the marketing team. She has helped develop award-winning creative marketing campaigns, assists in overseeing internal and external communications, and enjoys innovating for her team and partners.
She holds a bachelors in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State and a masters in leadership development from Drake University. Kalese is a wife and mom of three. She enjoys traveling, volleyball and a good sushi roll.

Derek Zarn is an experienced public relations and marketing professional with a rich background in creativity and design. His passion for storytelling, user experience design, and strategic communication has shaped his career, leading to his current role as the Director of Communications and Marketing for the City of Urbandale. Derek’s work has been awarded and recognized by multiple organizations including the Bioeconomy Institute, Public Relations Society of America Iowa Chapter, City-County Communication & Marketing Association, and Graphic Design USA. Outside of his professional life, Derek is deeply committed to community service, serving on the Board of Directors for the Urbandale Food Pantry. He is passionate about staying active through yoga, powerlifting, and exploring new countries. His recent travels have taken him to Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.

Kathleen Johnson serves as Manager of Supply Management & Facilities at John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group in Urbandale. With experience in supply chain, accounting, and operations, she brings a deep understanding of systems, people, and process optimization. A proud Urbandale resident for 20 years, Kathleen has seen several of her children—and now grandchildren—grow through the Urbandale School System, deepening her connection to the community. She is active in multiple resource groups and volunteer events, including Uplift Urbandale.  She is proud to be part of this Leadership Urbandale cohort and looks forward to learning and contributing to the future of Urbandale through collaboration and service.

With twenty years of experience in the Human Resources profession, Erin  has established herself as a local leader in the public sector. As a graduate from the University of Iowa College of Business, she went on to achieve HR certifications including the Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Group Benefits Associate (GBA), and most recently the Certified Public Manager (CPM) from Drake. Erin is an long-standing member of the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) which provides professional development, networking, and advocacy services to public sector organizations across the nation and was recently appointed Vice President of the Iowa PELRA Chapter in 2023. 

Captain Underwood has been employed with the Urbandale Police Department since 2003. He started his law enforcement career in 2001 and served two years with the St. Louis Airport Police Department.

Captain Underwood was promoted to Captain January of 2024 and currently leads as the Patrol Division Commander. Captain Underwood served at a Sergeant for the Support Services and Criminal Investigations Division. Prior to his promotion to Sergeant, he worked as a detective in the Investigation Division for the department. As a detective, he served as a Property Crimes and Crimes Against Person. He has also served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, Rape Aggression Defense Instructor (RADD), Field Training Officer, a S.W.A.T/Suburban Emergency Response Team Member and a Domestic Violence Instructor.

Born and raised in eastern Iowa, Daycen now works as an Associate Financial Planner with AO Wealth Advisory in Urbandale. After graduating from Iowa State University, he and his wife, Payton, moved to West Des Moines before embarking on the journey of home ownership with the recent purchase of a home in Clive. They love to explore local eateries and coffee shops in their free time as well as taking their Goldendoodle, Hazel, on adventures.

Brittany Schmidt is an Operations Manager at Delta Dental of Iowa. After working in healthcare and the insurance industry, she is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of others. With a strong background in streamlining processes, optimizing resources, and fostering collaboration within teams, Brittany is committed to driving success and creating a lasting difference in both professional and community settings. 

Holly Childs has been with Delta Dental of Iowa for 8 years, taking on a variety of leadership roles that showcase her initiative and strategic mindset. Currently serving as the System Configuration Supervisor, Holly leads a talented team dedicated to ensuring product accuracy from start to finish. Known for her calm, thoughtful approach and results-driven leadership, she consistently seeks opportunities to grow – whether by mentoring teammates, leading complex projects, or embracing new challenges. Holly is passionate about making a positive impact, both within the organization and the broader community.

Zach was born and raised in Des Moines and currently resides in Urbandale with his wife, Kelsi, and their children, Berkley and Bowen.  He graduated from the University of Iowa and spent nearly a decade traveling the country in his previous career as a Regional Vice President for two prominent financial services companies.  Currently, Zach is a financial advisor and partner of The Des Moines Group at Morgan Stanley.  Their team focuses on holistic financial planning where his areas of expertise are insurance planning, retirement income, estate, and tax planning. He has been on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Des Moines AM for 5 years and will assume the role of President in July 2025.  He was recently appointed as a member of the City of Urbandale Economic Development Advisory Board.  He is heavily engaged in various philanthropic ventures in central Iowa.

As a Relationship Manager II at Bank Iowa, I work closely with businesses and individuals to help them achieve their financial goals through personalized banking solutions and trusted guidance. My focus is building strong, long-term relationships by understanding each client's unique needs and connecting them with the resources, products, and expertise that support their success.

I am passionate about helping local businesses grow and thrive, and I take pride in being a trusted financial partner within our community. Whether assisting with business banking, lending solutions, treasury management services, or strategic financial planning, I strive to deliver exceptional service and meaningful results.

As an active member of the community, I value opportunities to collaborate with local organizations, support economic development, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the region.

Over the past several years, I have taken on various positions within the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. I currently serve as the Associate Executive Director at the Walnut Creek YMCA. In this role, I get to see the impact the YMCA has on the lives of each and every one of our members. Whether it is completing fitness goals, meeting new friends, or learning a new skill the YMCA is for all. Outside of the YMCA, I love spending time with my family and being involved in our community. We love attending events and trying local parks in our area! There is so much to offer! 

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors in Sports and Recreation Management. The beginning part of my career has been spent working in the sports industry as a sales professional including for a few of the local Des Moines teams. I am looking forward to transitioning my career to serving my hometown and having a positive impact on the Urbandale community through the chamber! In my free time I enjoy spending it with my family, my girlfriend and our dog Suzie. 

After spending four years working in insurance & technology industries, Colton made the move to start a career in commercial real estate. Colton enjoys learning about business operations and building relationships along the way. When outside of the office, he attends many Iowa State football & basketball games with family and is always up for a round of golf.

Tony is currently the Director of Service with Kading Properties. He is part of Kading’s industry leading service/maintenance team consistently delivering the Kading Standard. He and his team provide excellent service to their residents across the state of Iowa in their workforce housing developments. Through Leadership Urbandale he's hoping to gain knowledge of the city and each leader's vision for this great city. He feels it's an honor to be chosen for Leadership Urbandale Class of 2026 and he's hoping to find the next opportunity to give back to his community. Tony is a lifelong Urbandale resident. He and his wife are blessed to be raising three kids and a new 'rescue' puppy.

Jayden has been serving as a financial advisor for 6+ years leading families across the Midwest to grow and protect what they treasure most. He went to the University of Northern Iowa double majoring in Finance and Real Estate with an emphasis in Personal Wealth Management. He graduated and went on to build his practice through Northwestern Mutual for five years obtaining the CFP and RICP designations in order to serve his clients at higher level. In order to expand the scope of work he provides and allow true fiduciary guidance, he took his practice independent with RockWay Wealth Partners. He is excited to continue to grow his impact on the businesses and families in the community. You'll find him bouldering at Climb Iowa, hiking, or out in the community finding ways to connect great people to each other.

Josh Boyle was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Following high school, Josh pursued higher education at Mount Mercy University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. His career path led him to serve the community as a firefighter for Urbandale. Over the past 14 years, Josh has dedicated himself to this noble profession and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2019, a testament to his commitment and expertise.
Josh resides in Urbandale with his wife and three stepchildren.

Meticulous. Goal oriented. Tactical. These qualities accurately describe Alex as he delves into understanding his clients’ strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. He is a team leader who connects with his clients to create effective marketing initiatives that drive brands and get results. Throughout the planning process, Alex works with all departments within the agency to meet the goals and expectations of every client and every project, all while staying within budget.
Alex started his career with Trilix. After interning for one summer, Alex was hired full-time and has been a public relations specialist, project manager, senior project manager, account manager and team lead, prior to assuming his current role as senior account manager.
In the evenings and weekends, you’ll find Alex coaching his kids’ soccer teams, involved in community events, or simply relaxing outside with family and friends.

Kevin Lohry is a Development Manager with Hubbell Realty Co., where he works to lead multi-family and senior living development projects across Central Iowa. Kevin joined Hubbell after 2 years as a Development Manager for Senior Living Partners in St. Paul, MN. Kevin’s experience also includes 10 years in the mortgage banking, regulatory compliance, and anti-money laundering industries. Kevin completed his Masters in Real Estate Development from Iowa State University in 2021 and holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Princeton University. Born and raised in Sioux City, IA, Kevin now happily resides in Urbandale with his wife and two sons.

Marla Mayberry is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience, having held key roles at Accenture, Sprint, and Asurion. She is currently the Director of Commercial Readiness for the Client Growth & Tech Sales organization at JLL, a position she has held since 2019. At JLL, Marla also serves as a mentor for the Women Transforming Tech ERG, fostering growth and development in the tech industry.

Marla holds a bachelor's degree in journalism & mass communications from Kansas State University and an MBA from the University of Kansas. She is a 2014 graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and is deeply engaged in her community. Her leadership roles include service with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, active participation as an Election Worker & Precinct Official in Dallas County, and regular volunteering with Des Moines Refugee Support. She is also a member of the Urbandale Parks & Recreation Commission since 2022.

I moved from Duluth, MN to Iowa in 2023 and oversee operations at Anytime Fitness West Des Moines 22nd St and Polk City. In my role, I manage the staff while also making key business decisions. I’ve been part of the Anytime Fitness system since 2017 and enjoy building strong, supportive communities. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in Public Speaking and continue to coordinate a local pageant in Duluth, which I’ve directed for over 15 years. I’m also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Polk City and attend as many Urbandale Chamber events as I can to support other local businesses. Through Leadership Urbandale, I look forward to growing as a leader and learning new ways to give back to the community that has already given so much to me and my business.

In July of 2023, I moved here with my wife and daughter from Texas to start Garage Force of Des Moines. Since then, we've become entrenched in the Urbandale area. We live here, go to church here and run our business from here. We didn't know anything about Urbandale when we moved here but it has exceeded our expectations and we are thankful this is where we landed.   

I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Iowa State University as well as being a Beta Gamma Sigma National Honoree.  With decades of multi-industry multi-discipline experience,  I bring a unique perspective to everything I do.  As a lifelong learner, I eagerly seek out and approach all new challenges and opportunities with vigor and enthusiasm.  My goal is and always has been to learn something new every day be it large or small. As a 35-year resident of Urbandale, I am looking forward to what Leadership Urbandale has to offer.

Drake is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he studied Marketing and Management. After three years in the staffing industry, he began a career in commercial real estate. In his current role, Drake is focused on identifying and building relationships with companies seeking a strategic partner to manage their commercial real estate assets. Through Leadership Urbandale, he looks forward to growing both personally and professionally by developing stronger leadership skills and connecting with others who are committed to making a difference in the community. In his free time, Drake enjoys spending time with friends and family, bowling, and watching football.

Maddie McManus is a Pharmacy Operations Supervisor at University of Iowa Health Care, where they oversee multiple infusion and retail pharmacy operations across the Des Moines region. With a strong focus on team development, operational efficiency, and patient-centered care, Maddie has led initiatives to expand pharmacy services, streamline workflows, and create new leadership opportunities within their teams. Passionate about professional growth and community engagement, Maddie is excited to participate in Leadership Urbandale to strengthen leadership skills, build cross-industry connections, and contribute to the growth and vitality of the Urbandale community.