Forty Iowans Selected for 2025-26 Leadership Iowa Class

Forty leaders from across Iowa have been selected to participate in the 2025-26 Leadership Iowa program, the state’s premier issues-awareness initiative presented by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation.

Since its start in 1982, more than 1,500 Iowans have completed the program, representing communities from every corner of the state and a wide variety of industries, companies, and backgrounds. Leadership Iowa’s mission is to educate, inspire, and connect a network of informed leaders while encouraging continued engagement at both local and statewide levels.

The 2025-26 class will take part in monthly two-day sessions held across Iowa, beginning in October and concluding in June. Each session is designed to explore a key issue facing the state through discussions with subject-matter experts, interactive activities, industry tours, and community experiences.

Host communities for the year include Indianola, Fort Dodge, Cedar Valley, Des Moines, Muscatine, Decatur County and Perry. The session topics this year include an Opening Retreat, Agriculture & Renewable Resources, Workforce & Economic Development, Government, Manufacturing, Education and Rural Vitality.

The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony during ABI’s annual conference next June in Iowa City/Coralville.

Leadership Iowa is made possible through the support of its sponsors. The Presenting Sponsors of the 2025-26 program are EMC Insurance and John Deere.