What are your goals in your role at your company?
Adding and growing talent at our firm. Despite our modest size of eight, the architects at Walker Coen Lorentzen hold degrees from across the country, which brings broad perspectives to creative problem-solving. Our goal is to leverage this talent to help communities revitalize and develop projects that enhance quality of life.    

What are your goals for community involvement?
Continue to serve the DMAM Rotary club, specifically working to launch a metrowide Rotaract Club focused on introducing college students and young professionals to Rotary. I will also continue to serve the Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand and the Des Moines West Side Chamber.

What’s your biggest passion, and why?
My parents have always been driven by the idea of “live where you live.” For them, that meant contributing to their community whenever possible. Without people like Linda and Craig Coen, towns and cities would lack a sense of community. I guess you can say this approach rubbed off on me and has become my passion.

What is it that drives you?
We always hope the work we produce, whether it be designing a building, producing an event like Ingersoll Live, or serving the community, has a positive and lasting benefit to the user, visitor and neighbor. We also look at the work we do as being a catalyst for future investment. 

What are your future aspirations?
I hope to apply the knowledge gained to assist others in “realizing their vision.” It’s a phrase we use in our business but it can apply to individuals and communities as well. Specifically, I would like to continue to contribute to the vitality of the neighborhoods and cultural districts of Iowa. 

Reasons he’s a Forty:

1.) With tremendous help and support, Mathew launched a successful business in the depths of the recession.
2.) He grew the Ingersoll Live event and promoted economic growth in the Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand district.
3.) He served two terms as president of Des Moines West Side Chamber. 
4.) He helped lead the Almost Home Class Project for the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute class of 2008-09, which served the mental health service department at Broadlawns. 

See all 2018 honorees