Max Mowitz

Executive director, One Iowa and
One Iowa Action

Age: 32

Education: Bachelor of Arts in ethnomusicology and African American studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Husband: Austin Mowitz

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Tell us some of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.

I’m the first openly trans executive director of One Iowa and One Iowa Action after six years of service to the organization.

I founded and serve as a board member for the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund, which disperses over $100,000 of aid in monthly cycles to trans, nonbinary and gender diverse Iowans every year. 

I provide free support to trans, nonbinary and gender diverse folks as a gender and transition doula that has served the community for over five years.

What's your biggest passion, and why?

Liberation and empowerment. It is imperative to me that I spend as much of my life supporting and caring for others as I can, and to use the resources and privilege I have to do so. I find that my passion for liberation materializes in my efforts to empower others within my work.

How do you define success, both personally and professionally?

Success is doing as much as I can to support my community, build a better future for all of us, and make people feel seen, heard and cared for in the process. Personally, I view success as being able to take care of myself enough that I can keep fighting for decades to come.

Tell us about an issue you think more people should know about.

Mutual aid. Mutual aid is a framework of materially supporting others that centers solidarity, not charity, and its foundation is mutuality and trust. In charity, I’m taking care of you. In mutual aid, we take care of each other. If you’re curious to learn more, read “Mutual Aid” by Dean Spade.

What's an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?

My life trajectory changed when I came out in high school and got involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy. My community supported me and taught me the power of my voice, and that experience gave me a purpose and passion. That experience instilled in me the deep value of empowerment and a love of Iowa as my home.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I aspire to make those that I work with feel seen, loved and empowered. I want to create sustainable growth for both One Iowa and the Iowa Trans Mutual Aid Fund and to reach more marginalized people. Amid incredible hostility toward the trans community, I also want to survive and thrive.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?

Do not treat the people around you as objects to trade for success. Build community. Take care of others because it’s a part of your human spirit to do so, not for reciprocation. Stay human, support your community and the rest will fall into place.

What's one regular habit that's made you successful?

Therapy. Therapy and emotional regulation have done more for me than any productivity system. Because of therapy, I am better at leading and hearing others, understanding my needs, staying grounded amid stress. Therapy helped me come out as trans, find sobriety, facilitate good meetings and cancel the ones that could be an email.

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

I would love to see leaders focus and meaningfully address houselessness in our community. Whether it’s advocating for better pay and benefits for workers, putting pressure on state governments to increase access to affordable housing or getting involved in an organization that meets the needs of houseless folks, this is an issue that affects us all. Houseless folks deserve respect, autonomy and support.

What's one fun fact about you?

I have a TedTalk!

Hobbies:

I am an avid baker and often bake over a dozen different projects a month ranging from sourdough bread to croissants to cake. I play the harp (have to use my music degree somehow!). I am a powerlifter.

What is one word that best describes you?

Dedicated.

What’s one food (meal, snack, dessert, whatever!) you think people must try in the Des Moines area?

Anything from A Dong! It's a true Des Moines staple.

What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?

I was recently highlighted as the Hero of the Game for the Iowa Wild for my advocacy, which is truly the only time in my life that I will ever receive such a title in a team sport setting.

What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?

The Des Moines Arts Festival. I even proposed to my husband on Arts Fest weekend!