Tax Principal, Nate Beck, Graduates from West Des Moines Leadership Academy

Each year, a limited number of participants from the area are selected to join the West Des Moines Leadership Academy (WDMLA). This nine-month program is designed to give participants an opportunity to hone their leadership skills to better lead those around them. Throughout the program, the class participates in workshops to enhance the understanding of their own leadership style and how it impacts others. In addition to developing leadership skills, the class also learns about issues facing our community and is given an opportunity to support the community through a class project.

McGowen Hurst Clark Smith (MHCS) Tax Principal, Nate Beck, was chosen to join the WDMLA Class of 2019-2020. Beck, along with 38 other leaders throughout the community, began their journey in August 2019 and quickly chose an organization to focus on for their class project – The Food Bank of Iowa. The group wanted to support children and families and knew that The Food Bank of Iowa had worked with the West Des School District to create their BackPack Program. The BackPack Program helps children get the proper nutrition they need daily to grow, develop, and learn properly.

Originally, the group decided to do an in-person fundraiser to raise money for The Food Bank of Iowa, but unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group was unable to continue that plan. Instead, the group went to a fully virtual format cold-calling people from around the community to make donations to their project. As of May 27, the class had raised over $11,500 for their project.