Dustyn Curran

Real estate development manager, Ryan Cos. US Inc.

Age: 36

Spouse: Kristen Curran

Children: Caleb, Madison, Hailey and a baby due to arrive in June.

Mentor: Andy Moffitt, vice president of real estate development, Ryan Cos. US Inc.

Reasons he is a Forty: Dustyn is an alumnus of Ryan Cos.’ emerging leadership program. He is a lifelong learner and graduate of the University of Iowa Tippie Professional MBA program. He is a past president and regional executive council member of Design-Build Institute of America, where he was recognized as a “Young Professional Making a Difference in Iowa.” He is passionate about safe, dignified and affordable housing and has served on the board of directors and as vice president of Rebuilding Together of Greater Des Moines and is a member of the Polk County Health Services Properties Committee.

What are your goals in your role at your company? I have been fortunate to play a role in some amazing development projects that have had an impact on our community. As I continue to grow in my career, I’d like to help advance Ryan Cos.’ status as a leader in real estate solutions, serving our clients, partners and community while working to bring exciting new projects and businesses to Central Iowa.

What are your goals for your community involvement? I recently joined the advisory board for Epilepsy Foundation Iowa. I am excited to take an active role in promoting epilepsy education, supporting research and advocating for the well-being of the more than 30,000 children and adults in Iowa who live with epilepsy and seizures.  

What's your biggest passion, and why? Learning. It’s my strongest StrengthsFinder strength.  I think it would be stimulating to retire in a college town and spend parts of my week walking the campus and auditing classes on philosophy, religion, literature, history and so on, and get into thought discussions and debates with anyone willing. 

What is it that drives you? Beginning with the end in mind. I want to be known as someone who was dependable and always showed up with a servant's heart for my family, my friends, my colleagues and my community. I have been on the receiving end of grace and blessings more times than I can count and look for opportunities to pay it forward to others.

What are your future aspirations? Our 5-year-old daughter, Madison, suffers from severe epilepsy, cognitive delay and autism. Through the hardships of her health journey, we have been blessed with an incredible care team, family, friends and faith community that have rallied around us. We are in the battle daily, but aspire to organize an annual fundraiser, in honor of our Madi, to support the medical institutions and organizations that have supported us and countless other families.

Three hobbies: Reading, anything outdoors and home renovation projects.

Fun fact: Dustyn and 12 of his college friends have taken an annual road trip together since their freshman year at Iowa State University. Even though they are now spread out across the globe, they still manage to get a “quorum” together every year. 2022 will be year 19.

One word to describe you: Resilient.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? My wish is that as we are (hopefully) emerging from our socially distanced and virtual Zoom world and balancing the much-needed flexibility of remote work, we do not lose sight of the benefit of face-to-face interactions and personal connections. I hope business leaders find ways to entice their employees back to the office and downtown, reducing hurdles and restrictions and allowing energy and vibrancy to return to our workplaces.

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? Get involved with causes, organizations and volunteer activities that speak to something you are passionate about. It can be difficult and draining to balance all the responsibilities that life demands. If you are aligning your time in service to something that speaks to you, that fills you, you will find endless energy.

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? I think affordable housing continues to be a national challenge and is critical to keeping the quality of life we have enjoyed here in Central Iowa. It is a complex, multi-variable problem that will require innovation and collaboration from political, private, nonprofit and municipal spheres – with solutions that need to extend beyond mere subsidy. It seems at times an overwhelming problem, but if we move the needle in the right direction, it could have exponential returns. The more attractive our community, the better our appeal to the workforce, the greater opportunity for economic growth.