Leslie Berckes

Director of programs, Trees Forever

Age: 38

Spouse: Jeff Berckes

Mentor: Mark McPherson, executive director of City Forest Credits.

Reasons she is a Forty: Leslie has taken a leading role in improving and securing our community’s environmental future. She developed and implemented the local Trees Forever Growing Futures program that plants trees and employs area teens, all while providing them professional development opportunities. Leslie served on the Polk County Water and Land Legacy outreach committee and currently co-chairs the statewide Fund the Trust (IWILL) outreach committee. Additionally, she is active with the Des Moines neighborhood associations, including serving on the Neighborhood Revitalization Board and the Franklin-area Invest DSM committee.

What are your goals in your role at your company? I want to work with our Trees Forever team to continue to grow our teen employment and tree planting program, called Growing Futures, for a bigger impact in Des Moines and expand to more metro communities. We must take steps today for a resilient and climate-ready future.

What are your goals for your community involvement? I live in one of the Invest DSM districts and sit on its planning and implementation committee. I’m honored to be part of Invest DSM and its significant investment in our city. I’m looking forward to making Des Moines neighborhoods the place people want to call home.

What’s your biggest passion, and why? I am passionate about preserving and improving the environment. To me, we have nothing if we do not have clean water to drink, healthy air to breathe and ecosystems that support us and wildlife. I want us to confront environmental justice issues and ensure a safe, healthy and livable future for all.

What is it that drives you? I believe imperfect action is better than perfect inaction. We have such big environmental and other community issues to address that we must put all options on the table, try, be willing to fail, and try again. There is no time to waste to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect our future.

What are your aspirations for the future? Trees Forever is working with Des Moines to certify all new trees planted for carbon credits. Expanding the planting of trees and the certification and sale of the carbon those trees hold will put Des Moines at the vanguard. Let’s be THE leader in tree planting and carbon crediting.

Three hobbies: I love to sew, making clothes and beautiful, fun objects for myself, friends and family. My husband and I enjoy traveling and finding obscure, off-the-beaten path parks. We stumbled upon one of the International Peace Parks along the border of Washington and Canada. We did not defect! 

Fun fact: She grew up with a menagerie of animals including a pony, a hamster, a bird, rabbits, fish and cats, leading to a lifelong love of animals and support of local animal shelters.

One word to describe you: Tenacious.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? My greatest wish is that citizens, business leaders, and community leaders put their time, talent and resources to improving our environment. I dream of a future where caring for the environment is so second nature that people from around the country look to us for answers to their environmental needs.

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? Two things: One, ego is the enemy – find a calling that is bigger than you. It will serve as a North Star; you’ll always know you’re going in the right direction. Two, the answer’s no if you don’t ask – too many people assume they know the answer. Ask and find out.

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why? To put the issues nonprofits are addressing on a level playing field with all initiatives happening in the city. Our nonprofits fill important gaps in services; they are an important piece in the puzzle for a strong community. This means adequately funding nonprofit partners and inviting them to the table on important issues. I envision a consortium of three interlocking rings – business, government, nonprofits – dedicated to the top concerns facing Des Moines.