Leadership Urbandale Alumni

With a background in marketing, communications, and psychology, Kalese Sheldahl is passionate about creating and elevating the customer experience, building a strong brand, and telling her company’s story. As a Marketing Program Manager at Van Meter Inc, she leads the creative services and marketing communications arm of the marketing team. She has helped develop award-winning creative marketing campaigns, assists in overseeing internal and external communications, and enjoys innovating for her team and partners.
She holds a bachelors in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State and a masters in leadership development from Drake University. Kalese is a wife and mom of three. She enjoys traveling, volleyball and a good sushi roll.

Derek Zarn is an experienced public relations and marketing professional with a rich background in creativity and design. His passion for storytelling, user experience design, and strategic communication has shaped his career, leading to his current role as the Director of Communications and Marketing for the City of Urbandale. Derek’s work has been awarded and recognized by multiple organizations including the Bioeconomy Institute, Public Relations Society of America Iowa Chapter, City-County Communication & Marketing Association, and Graphic Design USA. Outside of his professional life, Derek is deeply committed to community service, serving on the Board of Directors for the Urbandale Food Pantry. He is passionate about staying active through yoga, powerlifting, and exploring new countries. His recent travels have taken him to Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.

Kathleen Johnson serves as Manager of Supply Management & Facilities at John Deere’s Intelligent Solutions Group in Urbandale. With experience in supply chain, accounting, and operations, she brings a deep understanding of systems, people, and process optimization. A proud Urbandale resident for 20 years, Kathleen has seen several of her children—and now grandchildren—grow through the Urbandale School System, deepening her connection to the community. She is active in multiple resource groups and volunteer events, including Uplift Urbandale.  She is proud to be part of this Leadership Urbandale cohort and looks forward to learning and contributing to the future of Urbandale through collaboration and service.

Brittany Schmidt is an Operations Manager at Delta Dental of Iowa. After working in healthcare and the insurance industry, she is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of others. With a strong background in streamlining processes, optimizing resources, and fostering collaboration within teams, Brittany is committed to driving success and creating a lasting difference in both professional and community settings. 

Holly Childs has been with Delta Dental of Iowa for 8 years, taking on a variety of leadership roles that showcase her initiative and strategic mindset. Currently serving as the System Configuration Supervisor, Holly leads a talented team dedicated to ensuring product accuracy from start to finish. Known for her calm, thoughtful approach and results-driven leadership, she consistently seeks opportunities to grow – whether by mentoring teammates, leading complex projects, or embracing new challenges. Holly is passionate about making a positive impact, both within the organization and the broader community.

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelors in Sports and Recreation Management. The beginning part of my career has been spent working in the sports industry as a sales professional including for a few of the local Des Moines teams. I am looking forward to transitioning my career to serving my hometown and having a positive impact on the Urbandale community through the chamber! In my free time I enjoy spending it with my family, my girlfriend and our dog Suzie. 

After spending four years working in insurance & technology industries, Colton made the move to start a career in commercial real estate. Colton enjoys learning about business operations and building relationships along the way. When outside of the office, he attends many Iowa State football & basketball games with family and is always up for a round of golf.

Tony is currently the Director of Service with Kading Properties. He is part of Kading’s industry leading service/maintenance team consistently delivering the Kading Standard. He and his team provide excellent service to their residents across the state of Iowa in their workforce housing developments. Through Leadership Urbandale he's hoping to gain knowledge of the city and each leader's vision for this great city. He feels it's an honor to be chosen for Leadership Urbandale Class of 2026 and he's hoping to find the next opportunity to give back to his community. Tony is a lifelong Urbandale resident. He and his wife are blessed to be raising three kids and a new 'rescue' puppy.

Kevin Lohry is a Development Manager with Hubbell Realty Co., where he works to lead multi-family and senior living development projects across Central Iowa. Kevin joined Hubbell after 2 years as a Development Manager for Senior Living Partners in St. Paul, MN. Kevin’s experience also includes 10 years in the mortgage banking, regulatory compliance, and anti-money laundering industries. Kevin completed his Masters in Real Estate Development from Iowa State University in 2021 and holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Princeton University. Born and raised in Sioux City, IA, Kevin now happily resides in Urbandale with his wife and two sons.

Marla Mayberry is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience, having held key roles at Accenture, Sprint, and Asurion. She is currently the Director of Commercial Readiness for the Client Growth & Tech Sales organization at JLL, a position she has held since 2019. At JLL, Marla also serves as a mentor for the Women Transforming Tech ERG, fostering growth and development in the tech industry.

Marla holds a bachelor's degree in journalism & mass communications from Kansas State University and an MBA from the University of Kansas. She is a 2014 graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and is deeply engaged in her community. Her leadership roles include service with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, active participation as an Election Worker & Precinct Official in Dallas County, and regular volunteering with Des Moines Refugee Support. She is also a member of the Urbandale Parks & Recreation Commission since 2022.

I moved from Duluth, MN to Iowa in 2023 and oversee operations at Anytime Fitness West Des Moines 22nd St and Polk City. In my role, I manage the staff while also making key business decisions. I’ve been part of the Anytime Fitness system since 2017 and enjoy building strong, supportive communities. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a degree in Public Speaking and continue to coordinate a local pageant in Duluth, which I’ve directed for over 15 years. I’m also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Polk City and attend as many Urbandale Chamber events as I can to support other local businesses. Through Leadership Urbandale, I look forward to growing as a leader and learning new ways to give back to the community that has already given so much to me and my business.

Maddie McManus is a Pharmacy Operations Supervisor at University of Iowa Health Care, where they oversee multiple infusion and retail pharmacy operations across the Des Moines region. With a strong focus on team development, operational efficiency, and patient-centered care, Maddie has led initiatives to expand pharmacy services, streamline workflows, and create new leadership opportunities within their teams. Passionate about professional growth and community engagement, Maddie is excited to participate in Leadership Urbandale to strengthen leadership skills, build cross-industry connections, and contribute to the growth and vitality of the Urbandale community.