Molly Hanson

Conservation and community outreach specialist
RDG Planning & Design

Age: 34

Partner: Johnny Alcivar

Mentor: Laura Kessel, landscape architect at RDG Planning & Design  

Why she’s a Forty: She was the first full-time executive director of Iowa Rivers Revival. She was a county conservation naturalist for the first half of her career, often bringing reptiles into classrooms. She is a co-founder of Women for Water and has brought folks together from across the state to share their water stories. She took elected officials on paddling trips so they could see firsthand the untapped potential of their rivers and streams. 

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

At RDG, I co-chair our DEI committee and work to bring an equity lens to community engagement on projects. My role supports our multiple studios, including sports, parks and recreation and water resources. I push for innovative solutions and meaningful connections with the clients and communities we serve.

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

These days, my focus is hyper-local. I serve on the board of my neighborhood association, support clothing and food drives, and lift up the leaders in our community who are bold enough to challenge inequity. Intersectional environmental justice is the umbrella over all my goals moving forward. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

Conservation of natural resources and introducing people to moments that connect them to nature. Iowa is ranked 47th in percentage of public land, and most of us hibernate throughout winter. Providing positive and accessible experiences to resources cultivates future land stewards. 

What is it that drives you? 

Success is taking care of the people and places that I love. When I helped galvanize a coalition of organizations to protect wild turtles in Iowa, it was slow, painful and full of compromise. But when it was over, we had established daily catch limits and a protected nesting period.

What are your future aspirations? 

My aspirations involve supporting young people, people of color in positions of power and improved water quality. I’ll work to increase the percentage of accessible public land and for climate action and resiliency plans to be implemented. Des Moines should be a welcoming city for everyone. 

Three hobbies: Leading Wander Women trips as an Adventure Guide, traveling with friends and family, playing with my rescue dog.

Fun fact: She played soccer for over 20 years and was part of the first girls’ select soccer team in Johnston. 

ONE word: Fearless.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

We need to better support the nonprofit organizations that are holding up this community. Iowa lacks a nonprofit association and the shared services and infrastructure needed to ease the burden of already-challenging work. 

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

I'm a sixth-generation Iowan with deep ties to Des Moines. My grandfather used to hitchhike to North High School where he ran track, and my parents both attended Roosevelt High School.