Kristyn Arnold
Managing director, Anawim Housing
Age: 36
Spouse: Ryan Arnold
Children: Jack and Ellie
Mentor: Russ Frazier, president of Anawim Housing, and Teree Caldwell-Johnson, CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood
Reasons she is a Forty: Kristyn designed the first-ever districtwide fundraiser for the Des Moines school district, met with district staff, then organized and planned OneRun for DMPS. After two successful events in 2019 and 2021, this initiative has raised over $50,000 for DMPS schools and the third annual event will be Sept. 24. She is the vice chair of the DMPS Foundation and volunteers for local candidates for state Legislature and City Council. At work, Kristyn oversees the property management department of the nonprofit Anawim Housing and participates in growth strategies and partnerships.
What are your goals in your role at your company? As managing director of the social enterprise department through property management, I am a part of providing affordable and market-rate housing while generating a funding source for the programs and services of permanent supportive housing.
What are your goals for your community involvement? Promoting individuals running for state office and City Council who champion education, housing security, food security and living wage through joining their campaign volunteers is an ongoing goal. As a member of the DMPS Foundation, I hope to help schools have more engaging opportunities for students with an ultimate goal of increasing graduation success rates and decreasing educator burnout.
What's your biggest passion, and why? I believe education is the platform on which every person can take the next step no matter who they are or where they are starting from. Schools need to be funded as an essential community priority, yet multiple years in a row funding has not kept up with inflation. I am passionate about fundraising for schools through organizing the DMPS Foundation OneRun.
What is it that drives you? I grew up in a home with a rotation of over 50 foster siblings over 14 years. From a young age, I saw firsthand the effects of abuse, malnutrition, neglect and instability as well as the separation anxiety of longing to go home even though it wasn’t safe. This implored me to work within systems providing the tools and education to keep families together, preventing trauma when possible.
What are your future aspirations? I hope to see the OneRun for DMPS become a citywide tradition with sustainable sponsors and increased participation on behalf of schools with the most need. Many schools do not have the ability to fundraise from their families, and that is why I wanted OneRun to exist.
Three hobbies: Camping, volunteering for my kids' sports, planning OneRun for DMPS.
Fun fact: Kristyn used to be a middle school language arts teacher and was the staff sponsor of the step team.
One word to describe you: Tenacious.
What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? I wish every business would contribute to the DMPS Foundation for OneRun. Des Moines Schools is the largest district in the state with the most languages spoken and the most services provided, which means the state legislative conversations taking place regarding Iowa districts often do not apply to Des Moines. This collaborative event is a way we can fund the gap.
What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? When an unexpected opportunity pops up, accept it as a path for growth and go for it. As long as you keep getting green lights along the way, keep going. If your trajectory comes to a red light, reflect, respond and be grateful for the experience.
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? Urban versus rural settings in Iowa have different needs and approach problems from different angles. Leaders in Central Iowa need to find solutions that address both settings without harming the other. For example, school funding per student goes further in a rural setting with fewer challenges than an urban setting with more languages and learning needs per capita.