Legacy Leavers – Details, episodes & analysis

I’m Kristi Knous, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, and I’m excited to announce a new podcast that celebrates the visionaries that have shaped, and are shaping, Greater Des Moines through philanthropy, leadership and service. On Legacy Leavers, I’ll be sitting down with remarkable individuals who have a history of using their influence, vision and resources to leave a lasting legacy.  

At the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, we believe we’re Simply Better Together — and these powerful and inspiring stories prove it. From personal turning points to powerful acts of giving, we explore what truly drives a life of legacy. Legacy Leavers launches July 23 and will be available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow now so you don’t miss a single episode! 

Learn more at desmoinesfoundation.org/podcast

Today on Legacy Leavers, we're honored to sit down with one of the most influential voices in Greater Des Moines — Connie Wimer.  

As the founder and chair of Business Publications Corporation, Connie has spent decades shaping how our community sees itself — telling the stories of our leaders, our challenges and our growth.  

But her legacy extends far beyond the page. A trailblazer for women in business, a civic leader and a champion of collaboration, Connie has helped pave the way for generations of leaders to come.  

True to our belief that we’re simply better together, her story is one of resilience, bold vision and the quiet power of elevating others. 

Links from the Episode 

Des Moines Business Record 

Business Publications Corporation 

NAWBO Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame 

Connie Wimer Women’s Leadership Program at Morningside University 

Today on the Legacy Leavers podcast, we're pleased to have Ambassador Mary E. Kramer join us to tell her story as an Iowa trailblazer whose remarkable career spans classrooms, boardrooms, the Iowa capitol and even international diplomacy. 

An Iowa native, Ambassador Kramer spent twenty years teaching and serving as a school administrator. In 1975, she transitioned into the corporate world—first as personnel director at Younkers, then as Vice President of Human Resources and Community Investments at Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield.  

Mary entered politics in 1990 as an Iowa State Senator, ultimately becoming the first woman independently elected President of the Iowa Senate in 1997.  

In 2002, she chaired the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars, and in 2004, was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. She’s written two books and is an inspiring advocate and promoter of civility in life, work and politics.

Mary Kramer embodies the wisdom that legacy isn’t given—it’s earned, moment by moment.

Links from the Episode:

Younkers 

Political Career 

More Than A Walk On The Beach: Confessions of an Unlikely Diplomat 

An Unlikely Ambassador and Her Diplomatic Daughter: Stories & Recipes for the Life You Want 

Today on Legacy Leavers, we're welcoming Joe Gonzalez — a retired Des Moines Police Department leader whose 42-year career helped build lasting bridges between law enforcement and the community. As a trusted liaison, Joe championed outreach and trust-building and mentored many who came up behind him both at the police department but also in the community.   

Born in Mexico and raised in Des Moines from 1957, Joe was the eldest of seven, often translating for his parents — an early lesson in responsibility that shaped a lifetime of public service. He joined DMPD at the age of 18 and for years was the department’s only Latino officer, paving the way for others.  

After a 2013 on-duty accident ended his policing career, Joe turned resilience into service—stepping in as executive director of Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival, a two-day celebration representing cultures from across Latin America.  

Joe’s story embodies our belief that we’re simply better together. 
 

Links from the Episode:

Today on Legacy Leavers, we welcome Martha Willits, a lifelong educator, public servant, and community leader whose influence has touched nearly every corner of Greater Des Moines. She began her career as a teacher, shaping young minds and instilling the value of learning, before stepping into public service as the first woman elected to the Polk County Board of Supervisors. That groundbreaking role paved the way for other women in local government and underscored her commitment to making sure every voice had a place at the table. 

Martha went on to lead the Des Moines Partnership during a time of transformative growth, helping unite business, civic, and community interests around a shared vision for Central Iowa’s future. Along the way, she has served on countless boards, mentored rising leaders, and championed initiatives that continue to strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic fabric of our community. 

Through every phase, Martha has fused kindness with impact, always guided by her teaching spirit, and believing that we are, as our own tagline says, better together. 

Links from the Episode: 

We’re kicking off season 2 with an inspiring conversation featuring Ambassador Terry Branstad! Ambassador Branstad is a tremendously skilled and respected political leader whose life’s work reflects deep public service on a truly historic scale. 

An Iowa native, his journey began in the Iowa House of Representatives, continued through service as lieutenant governor and ascended to his record-breaking tenure as the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, spanning over 22 years. He was appointed by the president as the US Ambassador to China, leveraging a decades-long friendship with the Chinese President to advance key initiatives on behalf of the United States. 

Following his political path, Ambassador Branstad continued to leave a legacy by leading both Des Moines University and the World Food Prize Foundation both of which flourished under his leadership.  

Beyond politics, Terry Branstad is a deeply committed husband, father and grandfather, ensuring his legacy transcends his professional accolades and lives on through his family.  

His lifetime of leadership—spanning local, state, national, and global stages—embodies what it means to leave a lasting legacy, indeed. 

Links from the Episode: 

In this final episode of Season 1, we're honored to welcome Dr. Mary Chapman — a pioneering educator, civic leader and tireless advocate for equity and opportunity in Greater Des Moines.  

As the first woman to serve as Executive Dean at Des Moines Area Community College's Urban Campus, Dr. Chapman broke barriers and set new standards for inclusive leadership. Her visionary work and passion for youth led to the creation of transformative programs like YouthBuild, Gateway to College and the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, all aimed at empowering underrepresented youth and adults.  

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Chapman has been a steadfast community servant, contributing to organizations such as the NAACP Des Moines Branch, The Links, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, including inductions into both the Iowa African American Hall of Fame and the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.  

In alignment with our belief that we’re simply better together, Dr. Chapman's story exemplifies the profound impact that inclusive, collaborative leadership can have in making real community change. 

Links from the Episode

NAACP Des Moines Branch

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families

Des Moines Public Schools

Des Moines Area Community College – Urban Campus

Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families

Des Moines Major Projects Task Force

In this episode of Legacy Leavers, we are honored to welcome a long-time friend and mentor, Fred Weitz. As you’ll hear today, Fred is a man of great vision whose contributions have shaped the landscape of Des Moines and beyond.

Professionally, Fred Weitz served as the CEO of The Weitz Company from 1974 to 1995, a period during which he guided the company through transformative growth. Under his leadership, The Weitz Company became well-known as a pioneer in the construction and management of retirement communities.   

Beyond his professional achievements, Fred is deeply connected to the natural beauty of Iowa and beyond. Having grown up exploring the woodlands on the southwest edge of Des Moines, he later sought to provide similar experiences for his own family, finding solace in a family home along the banks of the Raccoon River in West Des Moines.   

Fred’s dedication to innovation, community, and the environment makes him a true legacy leaver and I can’t wait for you to hear his story in his own words. 

Links from the Episode 

The Weitz Company 

Cranbrook School 

MIT 

Harvard Business School 

Des Moines Civic Center 

On this episode of Legacy Leavers, we welcome Dr. Richard Deming — a renowned oncology physician, a human widely known for his commitment to compassion and a visionary leader whose work has transformed our community – and he has saved and inspired countless lives across Iowa and beyond. 

Dr. Deming is the Medical Director of the MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center in Des Moines. His approach to cancer treatment focuses not only on the cutting-edge treatment he offers, but importantly, his approach also emphasizes the emotional and mental well-being of his patients. He is a pioneer, and his compassionate approach helps his patients, and their loved ones, find meaning and joy, even in the face of a cancer diagnosis.   

A native of South Dakota, Dr. Deming earned his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University and his medical degree from Creighton University. His early career included nine years of service in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Diving Medical Officer. 

Dr. Deming is also the founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the lives of those touched by cancer. Dr. Deming leads everything from nutrition and spinning classes to treks to Mount Everest for cancer patients and survivors. He is truly the epitome of our mantra, Better Together. His dedication to compassionate care and deep community engagement makes him a true legacy leaver. 

Links from the Episode 

South Dakota State University 

Creighton University School of Medicine 

MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center 

Above + Beyond Cancer 

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion, if you want to be happy, practice compassion.” - Dalai Lama 

Today on Legacy Leavers, we welcome Nolden Gentry — a trailblazer whose journey from the basketball courts of Rockford, Illinois, to the legal and civic arenas of Des Moines exemplifies leadership, resilience and community commitment.  

A standout athlete at the University of Iowa, Nolden chose to channel his drive and discipline into the field of law, becoming a founding partner of Brick Gentry, P.C., where he practiced law for over five decades.  

Beyond his legal career, Nolden has been a dedicated public servant, serving as the first African-American elected to the Des Moines School Board and contributing to numerous organizations, including the Iowa Public Television Foundation, Prairie Meadows board of directors and the University of Iowa Foundation Board.   

In alignment with our belief that we’re simply better together, Nolden’s story is a testament to the power of service and the enduring impact of giving back.  

Links from the Episode 

Hometown Hawkeye: Nolden Gentry 

Count Basie 

Brick Gentry, P.C. 

Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation 

Nolden Gentry Dental Clinic 

Mid-Iowa Health Foundation

Business Record 40 Under 40