The Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation named Joseph Jones, Ph.D, chief of staff at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, as this year’s Leadership for Iowa Award recipient.
The award is presented annually to a distinguished alumnus of the Leadership Iowa program who exemplifies outstanding community and statewide leadership. Jones graduated from Leadership Iowa’s 2006-07 class and was recognized in June at ABI’s Taking Care of Business Conference.
Prior to his current role, Jones has held significant leadership positions at the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement and Greater Des Moines Partnership. His contributions have been recognized by the Business Record, which named him a member of the 2009 Forty Under 40 class. He has since been honored as the Forty Under 40 Alum of the Year and was voted the most influential honoree in his class.
Jones has also engaged in a career-long commitment to public service through volunteerism. He serves as the board chair for the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. He also serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Community State Bank and the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. In 2017, he was first elected to the city council of Windsor Heights, Iowa. He was chosen as the city’s Citizen of the Year in 2020 and re-elected to office in 2021.
Jones graduated from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and earned a B.B.A. in economics from Loyola University. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree in public policy and a Non-Profit Leadership and Administration certificate from Drake University. He is an Air Command and Staff College graduate and Truman National Security Project fellow. Jones also received his Ph.D. from Drake, where his research focused on the intersection of civics, experiential learning and access.
Jones is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, skydiving and engaging in international citizen diplomacy and governance.
Recipients of the Leadership for Iowa Award must show a demonstrated commitment to serve Iowa, have held a leadership role volunteering for civic or professional organizations, have demonstrated the ability to undertake difficult or controversial subjects and be involved in projects designed to enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Honorees also must have held a professional or volunteer leadership position that contributes to local or statewide leadership development.
