Elizabeth (Libby) F. Zaletel

Strategic sourcing consultant
Wells Fargo

Age: 37

Mentor: Brad Biren, LLM (law) student at Washington University, St. Louis

Why she’s a Forty: 

Libby has been a board member of the Iowa Homeless Youth Center since 2002 and currently serves as board chair. She has been a member of the foundation board of YSS Inc., Iowa Homeless Youth Center’s parent organization, since July 2019. Libby joined the Iowa International Center board in January 2019, which advocates for diversity and cultural understanding. She is the current co-chair of the Women’s Team Member Network Des Moines Chapter within Wells Fargo, which empowers women and provides development opportunities. She has organized various events such as Euforquestra’s Home for the Holidays silent auction, which has generated over 41,000 meals to the Food Bank of Iowa since 2013.

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

My goal at Wells Fargo is to build relationships with business partners and strategize, plan and execute on various projects within supply chain management. I look to create efficiencies in our processes and am designing, training and implementing a new technology solution, which benefits the entire supply chain management department. 

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

My goal is the continuation and growth of the rapid rehousing program at the Iowa Homeless Youth Center. The program provides homeless youth stable housing, and they receive rent assistance on a sliding scale. After a youth is placed into housing, the rest of their needs can be addressed.

What’s your biggest passion, and why? 

I enjoy assisting others whether that is networking with a friend to help them get a job, raising money for Reggie’s Sleepout, the signature event for the Iowa Homeless Youth Center, or for the Hotline for Emergency Interpretation through the Iowa International Center. I like making homeless packets, which I give to a person asking for help on the side of the road.

What is it that drives you? 

In January 2018, my home burned down. I lost 99% of my belongings. As an advocate for the homeless population, it allowed me to see the perspective of what it may be like to be homeless. In order for me to start my day after the fire, I had to put on my dirty clothes that smelled of smoke. I had friends, family and co-workers that provided resources to me, whether it was furniture, clothing, daily needs, etc. The youth homeless population may not have a support system available to get them on their feet. This is why, as the chair of the Iowa Homeless Youth Center, I strive to ensure the participants have the appropriate resources available to them to become self-sufficient. 

What are your future aspirations? 

I am looking forward to the building and implementation of the rooftop garden program at the Iowa Homeless Youth Center. The program allows homeless youth participants to have a job where they learn skills on-site. It provides them valuable employment experience for future work endeavors.

Three hobbies: 

I am a movie lover. My first job was at a movie theater in Ames. When I was a student at Drake University, I worked at the Varsity Theater. I worked there for more than 14 years until it closed. Additionally, I have a passion for music. I listen to a variety of music and have attended many different festivals with all types of music. I have worked with several promoters organizing and working at live music events. I enjoy traveling domestically and internationally and experiencing other cultures. I studied abroad for half a year at the University of Salzburg in Austria.

ONE word: Tenacious.

Fun fact: 

Libby taught Dutch oven cooking on an open fire at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources program called Becoming an Outdoor Woman for seven years.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

Increased use of the International Visitor Leadership Program through the Iowa International Center. They facilitate having foreign dignitaries visit Des Moines to meet with professional counterparts related to a project theme (e.g., business, politics, etc.) and participate in cultural and social activities.

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?

I would like local leaders to find ways to give back to the community. Examples include 100% utilization of their employees’ volunteer time off, suggesting possible volunteer team-building opportunities (currently virtual due to the coronavirus) or empowering your employees to pay it forward. And lastly, they should be a role model by taking time to volunteer.  

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional looking to become a leader in your community and/or company? 

To become a leader, find something that you're interested in and get involved. Try volunteering or working a specific job. It allows you to learn more and determine if it is a worthwhile activity. Once engaged, network with other like-minded individuals and find a mentor to guide you.

Anything else you haven’t addressed that people must know about you? 

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, I hosted board game night at the Des Moines Social Club for close to two years. In December of 2019, I started board game night at the Hall in West Des Moines. This experience allows any person regardless of age to enjoy playing board games in friendly competition with family, their buddies and/or newfound friends.

Since January 2019, I have worked to enhance the global profile of Greater Des Moines with the sister city of Saint Etienne, France. I am a volunteer sister city ad hoc committee member. The committee is bridging the communities and opening doors with the international sister city for mutual benefit in culture, education, technology, commerce and economic development.

I have helped coordinate the Iowa Homeless Youth Center’s signature fundraising event called Reggie’s Sleepout. With my help, the Iowa Homeless Youth Center has raised $1.4 million in support of Iowa’s homeless youth. My leadership has helped provide support to over 10,000 youth during my time on the board of directors. 

I have organized various events, whether it’s Camp Euforia or LAUNCH (2015) or providing event support through Midwestix at events such as 80/35, Buchanan County Fair, Warren County Fair, City Sounds, Jazz in July at La Placita, etc.