Manny Toribio

Business development lead
McClure

Age: 37

Partner: Emily Lynne Toribio

Children: Elena Mae Toribio and Vincent Emmanuel Toribio

Mentor: Ryan Moffatt, economic development coordinator for the city of Des Moines  

Why he’s a Forty: Selected to the 2016 Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s Community Leadership Program and 2020-21 Leadership Iowa class; serves as board member on the Norwalk Chamber, Greater Dallas County Development Alliance, Latino Center of Iowa, and Hispanic Educational Resources; is involved in Iowa State University’s Community and Regional Planning Department’s Professional Mentor Program; and received the Governor's Volunteer Award 2013 as a board member of the Salisbury House Young Professionals.

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

In my role, I focus on building relationships and connecting individuals within Iowa. My goal is to promote the McClure vision of making lives better by supporting the growth of commerce in communities through thought leadership, smart design and strong civil engineering work.

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

As a board member of the Latino Center of Iowa, I have been working towards establishing the first annual Latino Film Festival in Des Moines. In partnership with the Chicago Latino Film Festival, it will support the rich cultural diversity of the Des Moines community by featuring films from Latin America, Spain and the work of local filmmakers. The goal is to reach all communities with this celebration by making the festival free to attendees.

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

My biggest passion is learning from others over a cup of coffee. It helps me grow and support my network by discovering win-win collaborations both professionally and personally. The joy in helping others is very fulfilling to me.

What is it that drives you? 

My family is what drives me daily to grow professionally and personally. It starts with my wife and kids, who support all my endeavors in my pursuit of being a strong community leader, and includes my parents’ hard-work ethics that continue to drive my successes.

What are your future aspirations? 

At this time, after some deep reflection with our current social environment, I truly believe our community needs individuals like me to run for a political office. The reality is we need more diversity in the backgrounds of our elected officials. It is my background and drive as a leader that I believe will help in this pursuit. Now more than ever is the time to advocate and plan for our community.

Three hobbies: Golf, racquetball and bicycling.

Fun fact: Manny has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, during his study-abroad venture in Rome studying architecture.

ONE word: Connector.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

I wish we would bring back the Greater Des Moines Grand Prix consisting of three days of racing through downtown Des Moines.

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

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5