kristi knous
Class of 2003
President, Community Foundation of
Greater Des Moines
What’s one of your accomplishments you are most proud of, and why?
I’m proud that I have continued to further my education, in many forms, throughout my career. The Community Foundation was a completely new business to me. I used mentors, listened hard and tried to soak in as much as I could from our leadership and board members. And I went on to seek formalized advanced education, while working a rigorous schedule and while still nurturing my family. It was hard. It has paid off, and I am proud of it.
What’s one experience that helped you become a better professional?
Early in my career I worked with hospitalized kids, primarily with children with cancer, burns or in the intensive care unit. It was transformative and continues to influence me. I realized early there are so many things in life that are much more important than the small stuff we become obsessed with. So when things don’t work out on a project, or I make a mistake, it is REALLY not as important as so many other things in the grand scheme of things. It also taught me to seek joy in all things, because those sweet kids most certainly did.
What’s one issue you’re very passionate about?
I am passionate about this community. I sincerely believe we have something special here. When others visit Des Moines, they ALWAYS notice. We genuinely like one another and are on the same team, working to make Greater Des Moines the BEST it can be. We work collectively, collaboratively and in partnership. We have a shared vision and can be bold, vulnerable and authentic in building a better community. I want us to be even more inclusive in our work to better the community and believe in the power of many voices to influence positive change and future success. Better together, baby.
Class of 2003
Scott Allen
Andrew Anderson
Chad Bassman
Michael Bird
Claire Celsi
Dan Clute
Mike Crowley
Brenda Cushing
Kendra Daly
Troy Dannen
Donna Elbrecht
Kyle Gamble
Matt Garcia
Leslie Garman
Thomas Houser
Cynthia Hurley
Lauren Kernan-Smith
Dan Kinney
Kristi Knous
Kathryn Kunert
Tracy LeMar
Carla Marcellus
Robert Marshall
Denise Martin-Foley
Troy Moore
Marketa Oliver
Tony Paustian
Chad Rasmussen
Reed Rinderknecht
Peter Sand
Monica Seigel-Fischer
Matthew Shaffer
Brad Skinner
Jennifer Smyser
Tom Stewart
Lisa Turner
Nick Van Patten
Lori Wiederin
Scott Wilgenbusch
Mike Wilson