Recognized for Exemplary Leadership and Community Impact
Des Moines, IA— The Des Moines Business Record has announced its prestigious Forty Under 40 Class of 2024, and included among this year’s class is Emily Mendez, Director of Development at Proteus, Inc.
The Forty Under 40 program recognizes outstanding professionals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and community involvement in the Des Moines area.
As the inaugural Director of Development at Proteus, Inc., Mendez, 36, led the return to in-person fundraising events culminating in a record-breaking $87,000 raised at the I’m Thankful for Farmworkers Dinner. She spearheaded fundraising campaigns for three new programs at Proteus, Inc. including a collaborative partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Capital City Fruit that provides produce for farmworkers with limited access to healthy food. Mendez is also the previous Executive Director of Dental Connections, a Des Moines-based non-profit dental clinic dedicated to providing equitable access to quality oral health care for uninsured and underinsured patients.
In addition to her professional achievements, Mendez is a current board member with the Iowa Rural Health Association and the Membership Chair of the Latino Trade Network Committee. She is a member of the West Des Moines Chamber and the Rise Breakfast Club, a local women’s group that promotes leadership, meaningful connection, and mentorship among its members.
“We are all very proud of Emily for the work she does for farmworkers and in our community,” said Dr. Daniel Zinnel, Proteus, Inc. CEO. “This is a well-deserved honor, and we look forward to Emily’s continued success and contributions in the future.”
The Forty Under 40 Class of 2024 will be celebrated at a special event on March 28 at Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona, IA. For more information about the honorees and to reserve tickets for the event, please visit businessrecord40.com.
About Emily Mendez: Mendez, 36, is the Director of Development at Proteus, Inc., a federally qualified health center and 501c3 non-profit. She leads the organization’s fundraising efforts and oversees the company’s marketing department. Mendez received her B.A. from Central College in Pella, Iowa, in 2010. She was born and raised in Southwest Iowa and currently lives in Norwalk with her husband, the son of farmworkers, and their children.
Facebook Comments
