Community Difference Makers
Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa team up in 2026 to tackle our community’s toughest challenges, from food insecurity and housing to childcare and youth violence. Hear weekly conversations with experts and community members working to create real change. Welcome to Community Difference Makers.
Episodes
70 episodes
61. Building Pathways to Opportunity Through Summer Youth Employment
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa discuss how youth violence and engagement show up in Des Moines, highlighting Safe & Thriving Youth, a collaborative effort focused on long-term so...
60. Youth Violence and Engagement in Central Iowa
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa discuss how youth violence and engagement show up in Des Moines, highlighting Safe & Thriving Youth, a collaborative effort focused on long-term so...
59. Advocating for Change: Policy, Funding & What’s Next
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone, and Jillian Herink of Iowa Association for the Ed...
58. Sign in Childcare Up Close: Stories from Educators and Families
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Kate Bennett, Kay Strahorn of Conmigo Early Education Center,...
57. The Rising Cost of Living and Its Impact on Childcare
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davison-Rippey, Kim Bonjour-Eiteman of Perry Child Devel...
56. The State of Childcare in Central Iowa
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of childcare in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Mary Sellers, Janice Lane Schroeder of Children & Familie...
55. Building Solutions – Collaboration, Innovation, and Hope
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone, Lance Henning, CEO of Greater Des Moines Habitat fo...
54. Lived Experiences of Housing Instability in Central Iowa
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Luke Lynch, Melissa Gradischnig, who serves as a community navi...
53. The Ripple Effects of Housing Instability
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davison-Rippey, and Shelby Ridley, Director of Programs at...
52. What Homelessness Really Looks Like in Central Iowa
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of housing in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Mary Sellers, Angie Arthur, Executive Director of Homeward, an...
51. Food Security and Children: School and Summer Meal Programs
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone, Lyn Wilson, Districtwide Homeless Liaison of Des...
50. Guiding the Way: How Community Navigators Help Families Access Resources
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa with United Way of Central Iowa's Luke Lynch, Priscilla Marquez, who serves as a communit...
49. The Rising Cost of Living and Its Impact on Food Access
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn more about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa. United Way of Central Iowa's Erin Davidson-Rippey and Patty Sneddon-Kisting, CEO of the ...
48. The Face of Food Insecurity Today
On this episode of Community Difference Makers, Bankers Trust and United Way of Central Iowa learn about the state of food insecurity in Central Iowa from Kathy Underhill, CEO of DMARC and Tami Nielsen, CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa.
47. Adam Gregg - Iowa Bankers Association
Learn more about the important work the Iowa Bankers Association is doing to be the voice for financial services in Iowa from President and CEO Adam Gregg, and host Emily Abbas.
46. Lauren Kollauf - The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand
Learn more about the important work that The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is doing to is doing to improve, engage, and promote this area in the historical heart of Des Moines from Executive Director Lauren Kollauf, and host Emily Abbas.
45. Chris Norton - Chris Norton Foundation
Learn more about the important work that the Chris Norton Foundation is doing to help people with neuromuscular injuries and disabilities overcome their obstacles and live better lives from Founder Chris Norton, Chris' mother, Deb Norton, who i...
44. Proctor Lureman - Broadlawns Medical Center
Learn more about Broadlawns Medical Center and how you can support their mission from Proctor Lureman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Broadlawns Medical Center, and host Emily Abbas.
43. Bankers Trust's Employee Volunteer Award Winners
Learn more about the Bankers Trust Employee Volunteer Award winners. Hear about what drives our top volunteers, what causes they are most passionate about and how they serve our community.
42. Emily Price - Healthy Birth Day
Learn more about Healthy Birth Day and how you can support their mission from Emily Price, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Birth Day, and host Emily Abbas.
41. Julia Franklin - Mainframe Studios
Learn more about Mainframe Studios’ journey and how you can support local artists from Julia Franklin, Executive Director of Mainframe Studios, and host Emily Abbas.
40. Stephanie Oppel - ICON Water Trails
Learn more about ICON Water Trails’ mission and their top priorities in 2025 from Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director of ICON Water Trails, and host Emily Abbas.
39. Nikki Syverson - Isaacson-Syverson Consulting
Learn more on the state of fundraising for Central Iowa nonprofits from Nikki Syverson, Principal of Isaacson-Syverson Consulting, and host Emily Abbas.
38. Alissa McKinney - Above + Beyond Cancer
Learn more about the important work Above + Beyond Cancer is doing to doing to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey from Executive Director Alissa McKinney, Above + Beyond Cance...