YPC - The Greater Des Moines Partnership's Young Professionals Connection - Deborah Lake
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 Deborah Lake
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| Hometown: |
Ankeny, IA / Garden City, KS |
| Alma Mater: |
University of Kansas |
| Degree: |
B.A. Anthropology, B.A. French |
| Employer: |
Iowa Council for International Understanding |
| Position | International Programs Director |
| Job / Employer Description: |
I am in charge of organizing professional itineraries for international professionals coming to Des Moines through the US Department of State and US Agency for International Development. These programs allow international professionals the opportunity to meet with their counterparts in the US and get to know the American people on a personal level. I work with Members of Parliament, politicians, journalists, scientists, and academics to name a few. Recent countries include: Iraq, Germany, Romania, Tajikistan, Brazil, Sierra Leone, West Bank, Hungary, Morocco, Colombia, Argentina, China, Nepal, Congo...the variety is endless. I also work to recruit volunteers to spend time with the visitors through informal interactions like dinner, baseball games, or YPC events! |
| Activities / Involvement in the Community: | When I am not working, I participate in the Diversity Committee for YPC. I am a Board Member for 21st Century Forum. I dance salsa as much as possible and I enjoy volunteering for events like BBBSCI Stepping Up workshops or other random opportunities. Through work I lead a lot of diversity training workshops and other events like volunteer fairs. |
| Favorite Things to Do in Des Moines |
Farmers Market on Saturdays, walking at Gray's Lake, going to concerts around Court Avenue, salsa dancing, taking visitors to the State Capitol, going to sporting events like the Iowa Energy, Iowa Chops, I-Cubs, etc. |
| Something People Don't Know About Me: | I enjoy being a "cheerleader" for Des Moines to the rest of the world |
| Anything Else You Want People to Know |
ICIU has a lot of great opportunities for YPs to get involved with our international visitors, whether on a professional or personal level. I am always looking for people to share their knowledge or just hang out with the visitors. It's an excellent way to get an international experience without leaving home or having a big time commitment. We also have interpretation and translation services and educational events. Please feel free to let me know if you have more questions about ICIU. My email address is deborah.lake@iciu.org. |
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