by Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Welcome to Legacy Leavers, a podcast that celebrates the visionaries that have shaped, and are shaping, Greater Des Moines through philanthropy, leadership and service. At the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, we believe we’re simply Better Together — and these powerful and inspiring stories prove it. From personal turning points to powerful acts of giving, we explore what truly drives a life of legacy.
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Publishing Since
7/8/2025
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July 22, 2026
<p>Today we get to hear from a leader whose life has been defined by service, resilience and an unwavering commitment to community - Ako Abdul-Samad. </p><p><br></p><p>Ako is a lifelong resident of Des Moines and one of the most impactful voices in our state’s recent history. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives for nearly two decades, representing Des Moines and advocating for equity, justice and opportunity for all Iowans.</p><p><br></p><p>But his leadership began long before being elected for office. In the 1960s, Ako was part of the movement for civil rights and social justice, including his time as a leader in the Black Panther Party here in Des Moines.</p><p><br></p><p>That early commitment to justice evolved into a lifetime of service. Ako founded Creative Visions, an organization still serving Des Moines and dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and helping them build paths toward stability and success. </p><p><br></p><p>Ako also served on the Des Moines School Board and has been a consistent advocate for our youth, families, and underserved communities across our community and state. </p><p><br></p><p>What makes Ako’s story especially powerful is that it is not only shaped by leadership, but by personal loss, faith, and a deep belief in the potential of every human being. </p><p> </p><p>Links from the episode </p><p><a href="https://iowahouse.org/f/candidate-spotlight---ako-abdul-samad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><u>Ako’s Bio</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Moines,_Iowa_chapter_of_the_Black_Panther_Party" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Black Panther Party Des Moines Chapter</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://timesdelphic.com/67154/news/des-moines-black-panther-chapter-history-panel-discusses-importance-of-community-involvement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Black Panther Party Reflections</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://cvonline.us/about-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Creative Visions</u></a> </p><p>Ako’s book - <a href="https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/DEEPER-TRUTH-Revelations-Soul-Abdul-Samad-Ako/30252339235/bd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>A DEEPER TRUTH: Revelations of the Soul</u></a> </p>
July 8, 2026
<p>Today on Legacy Leavers, we are excited to sit down with someone who has helped shape the Des Moines we know today—Christine Hensley. </p><p><br></p><p>Chris is a lifelong Des Moines resident and one of the most influential civic leaders our city has known. She served on the Des Moines City Council for more than two decades, becoming the longest-serving council member in the city’s history and playing a key role in many of the projects that transformed our community. </p><p><br></p><p>During her years in public service, Chris helped champion projects that have become defining parts of Des Moines—from the revitalization of Gray’s Lake to the creation of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, the Lauridsen Skatepark, and the Pappajohn Higher Education Center downtown. </p><p><br></p><p>Her commitment to education, housing, and civic engagement has extended far beyond City Hall. Chris has served on countless nonprofit boards, been inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame, and today continues her service to our state as a member of the Iowa Board of Regents. </p><p><br></p><p>What stands out most to me about Christine Hensley is her reputation as someone who shows up, solves problems, and believes deeply in the potential of partnership and of this community. </p><p> </p><p>Links from the episode</p><p><a href="https://aspace.lib.uiowa.edu/agents/corporate_entities/547" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><u>YWCA of Greater Des Moines</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.dsm.city/Gray_s_Lake_Park514.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><u>Gray’s Lake Park</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://dsmskatepark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Lauridsen Skate Park</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://desmoinesartcenter.org/visit/pappajohn-sculpture-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Pappajohn Sculpture Park</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://desmoines.uiowa.edu/pappajohn-education-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Pappajohn Education Center</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.iowaregents.edu/the-board/member-bios/christine-hensley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Iowa Board of Regents</u></a> </p>
June 24, 2026
<p>Today on Legacy Leavers, I’m honored to sit down with a local AND global leader whose life’s work has bridged diplomacy, humanitarian service and the fight against hunger - Ambassador Kenneth Quinn. </p><p><br></p><p>Ambassador Quinn has spent decades serving both our country and our world. A career diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Service for more than 30 years, he served in critical roles across Southeast Asia, including six years in Vietnam during the war, and later as the United States Ambassador to Cambodia.</p><p><br></p><p>But Ken’s legacy is also deeply rooted here in Iowa. After retiring from the State Department, he returned to Des Moines in 2000 to lead the World Food Prize Foundation. Over the next two decades, he helped elevate the World Food Prize into a globally recognized award - often described as the “Nobel Prize for food and agriculture” - and oversaw the creation of the stunning Borlaug Hall of Laureates right here in the center of our city. </p><p><br></p><p>Along the way, Ken has received countless honors for courage, leadership and humanitarian service—including the State Department’s Award for Heroism and the Iowa Award, our state’s highest citizen honor. </p><p><br></p><p>Ambassador Quinn’s story is one of extraordinary courage, global impact and serve as proof that Iowans can, indeed, change the world. </p><p> </p><p>Links from the episode </p><p><a href="https://www.ambassadorkennethquinnarchive.org/about/ambassador-quinns-biography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Ambassador Quinn’s Bio</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.ambassadorkennethquinnarchive.org/video-memoir" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Ambassador Quinn’s Video Memoir</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://careers.state.gov/career-paths/foreign-service/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>United States Foreign Service</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://kh.usembassy.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>United States Embassy in Cambodia</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.worldfoodprize.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>World Food Prize Foundation</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.halloflaureates.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>World Food Prize Hall of Laureates</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://dsmmagazine.com/2014/01/14/kenneth-quinn-in-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><u>Kenneth Quinn in Detail</u></a> </p>
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Welcome to Legacy Leavers, a podcast that celebrates the visionaries that have shaped, and are shaping, Greater Des Moines through philanthropy, leadership and service.
At the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, we believe we’re simply Better Together — and these powerful and inspiring stories prove it. From personal turning points to powerful acts of giving, we explore what truly drives a life of legacy.
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