Armel Traore Dit Nignan

Head of real estate data and analytics, Principal

Age: 39

Spouse: Nicole R Traore Dit Nignan

Children: John Henry and Theo

Mentor: Patricia Bailey, chief operating officer, Principal Real Estate Investors

Reasons he is a Forty: Armel was elected to the Waukee Community School District board where he serves on the finance and instruction committees. He is a member of the 2021 class of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and is actively engaged in the community. He serves on the board of directors for CultureAll. He volunteered as a mentor for the Youth Leadership Initiative. He stood up the data and analytics practice for Principal Real Estate Investors, a top-10 global investment manager. 

What are your goals in your role at your company? My goal is to help improve investment decisions and modernize the research process in the real estate industry. My role is to influence the enterprisewide adoption of data science and analytics by inspiring a shared vision and road map, and leading cross-functional teams in delivering compelling solutions for our clients.  

What are your goals for your community involvement? My focus as a school board member is to expand learning opportunities for our students, manage our growth, and prioritize well-being in the district. In general, I long for a more accepting community where people learn to embrace our differences and thrive to reduce systemic inequities in our metro. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? Helping others unlock their true value. My life would not be possible without the generosity, support and guidance of so many along the way. The opportunity to have a similar impact on others has been fulfilling beyond measure.

What is it that drives you? When I left everyone I knew and loved to pursue my dreams in the United States, it was with the clear understanding that failure was not an option. I have seen enough talented young women and men fail to break out of their life circumstances to no fault of their own. I do the best I can for my family’s sake, but also out of respect and gratitude for a life I feel fortunate to have. 

What are your future aspirations? My dream is to one day open a basketball academy in Burkina Faso where the youth could receive a great education and learn the life lessons I benefited from early on. For now, I would like to be more involved in supporting our internally displaced people.

Three hobbies: Drake basketball, traveling, hanging out with family and friends.

Fun fact: Armel speaks French and English fluently, and could still get by in Djoula and Moore, two dialects used in Burkina Faso. 

One word to describe you: Driven.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? My wish for the Central Iowa business community is to take more ownership in making our region more inclusive for all people and raise the standards of living of our residents. 

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? My wife and I have two sons who both came in second and third in the Drake women’s basketball baby bowl in 2017 and 2020. 

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? As a basketball player, I learned that 70% of rebounds bounced to the weak side. Be useful to others and take steps to be on the weak side. 

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? The pandemic accelerated trends toward the future of work that could have a lasting impact on our region. The waning demand for office space, our growing wealth inequality, lack of affordable homes, and access to quality education are all important considerations to address as Iowa carves its spot in a U.S. economy that is quickly changing.