In the 2013 Book of Lists, we began a new tradition. While the book has traditionally focused on businesses, we wanted to add some new lists that highlighted the vast array of business people in our community. That led us to two questions: Who does the business community think is the most influential business leader and which nonprofit has the most influence?

We polled our readers and revealed the first list in the 2013 Book of Lists. Once again, based on readers’ votes, we have ranked the top 25 business leaders and the top 25 nonprofit organizations, in an effort to help you get to know some of the key movers and shakers in Des Moines. In the past, we had our readers vote specifically for the organizations with the most influential board of directors.

Last year, we began asking voters to look at nonprofit organizations’ total influence on our community. While having a strong board is generally a critical component of an organization’s ability to have influence, board strength is just one factor of many that should be used to evaluate the influence these organizations wield. We hope you enjoy the lists and, as always, thank you for your participation in this year’s survey.

– Chris Conetzkey, group publisher of BPC

Top 25 Influential Leaders

1. Dan Houston, chairman, president and CEO, Principal Financial Group Inc.
2. Dennis Albaugh, chairman, Albaugh LLC
3. Don Coffin, president and CEO, Bankers Trust Co.
4. Tiffany Tauscheck, president and CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership
5. Jay Byers, president, Simpson College
6. Suku Radia, retired, Bankers Trust Co.
7. Teree Caldwell-Johnson, CEO, Oakridge Neighborhood
8. Debi Durham, director, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority
9. Connie Wimer, chairman and founder, Business Publications Corp. Inc.
10. Kyle Krause, CEO, Krause Group
11. Emily Abbas, executive vice president, chief consumer banking and marketing officer, Bankers Trust Co.
12. John Ruan IV, chairman, Ruan Cos.
13. Jim Cownie, founder, JSC Properties
14. Denny Elwell, chairman of the board, Denny Elwell Co.
15. Greg Edwards, president and CEO, Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau
16. Deidre DeJear, owner, Caleo Enterprises
17. Izaah Knox, executive director, Urban Dreams
18. Tanner Krause, former CEO, Kum & Go
19. Mike McCoy, CEO, NCMIC Group Inc.
20. Bill Knapp I, founder and president emeritus, Knapp Properties
21. Angela Connolly, member, Polk County Board of Supervisors
22. Richard Deming, founder and chairman, Above & Beyond Cancer
23. Richard Hurd, president, Hurd Real Estate Services
24. Wendy Wintersteen, president, Iowa State University
25. Kristi Knous, president, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

Top 25 Influential Nonprofits

1. ChildServe
2. Food Bank of Iowa
3. Animal Rescue League of Iowa Inc.
4. Meals from the Heartland
5. Easterseals Iowa
6. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa Inc.
7. Blank Park Zoo Foundation Inc.
8. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa
9. Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC)
10. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa
11. Iowa State Fair
12. EveryStep
13. Planned Parenthood North Central States | Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa
14. Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity
15. United Way of Central Iowa
16. Children and Families of Iowa
17. Hope Ministries
18. Variety — the Children’s Charity
19. Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
20. Young Women’s Resource Center
21. Greater Des Moines Partnership
22. Above & Beyond Cancer
23. Iowa Public Radio
24. LifeServe Blood Center
25. On With Life