Kailey Blazek Naranjo
Shareholder, Dentons Davis Brown
Age: 34
Education: Drake University Law School, with honors, Juris Doctorate with certificate in International and Comparative Human Rights Law; Doane University, bachelor’s degree with dual majors in business administration and Spanish
Husband: Jorge Naranjo
Children: Baby Naranjo (due spring 2026), Pablo Empanada Naranjo (Cavapoo, age 6)
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Tell us four of your proudest accomplishments or accolades.
I am a shareholder and immigration attorney at Dentons Davis Brown.
For nearly five years, I have served as an active member of CultureALL’s board and executive committee, advising the organization through years of major growth.
I was selected as a member of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Leadership Iowa Cohort (2023-2024). Shoutout to LI42!4.
In 2025, I was recognized as one of the Technology Association of Iowa’s Catalyst Honorees where I presented on the essential impact immigrants have in Iowa.
What’s an experience or memory that influenced how you saw the world or what you wanted to do in life?
In college I studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for four months. As someone that had only lived in the Midwest, this opportunity greatly expanded my world view and challenged my perspectives. This was unmistakably one of the best decisions and experiences of my life.
What’s one decision you made early in your career that had an outsized impact?
After graduating from Drake Law School, I had every intention of remaining in Des Moines to begin my legal career. Unexpectedly, an opportunity to learn my desired field of law — business immigration — arose in Nebraska. Although this move required a lot of personal sacrifice, I trusted my gut, dedicated myself to learning the area of law and after a few short years was able to leverage my knowledge to accept an immigration attorney position in Des Moines.
What are your aspirations for the future?
Continuing to build community with leaders across the metro and helping the public better understand the complexities and limits of our immigration system to encourage meaningful legislative improvement and change.
What are you still working on to improve as a leader?
Empowering and developing others.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young professional?
Invest in developing authentic relationships with those in your community. If the thought of attending networking or similar events makes you squirm, set the goal of making one new contact or unique connection and consider ways to foster those that made a strong impression.
What’s one regular habit that’s made you successful?
Knowing (and acting on) when I need to take a break, whether it is a five-minute reset, 20-minute walk or longer Netflix binge. It is so important to set personal boundaries, otherwise nobody will set them for you.
What’s one outdated way of thinking that you’d like to challenge?
Gatekeeping mentality — specifically the notion that “I struggled, so you should too.” As leaders we have a responsibility to keep standards high while removing unnecessary obstacles.
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
Continuing to make Central Iowa a desirable, welcoming place to live is critical, as Iowa faces population decline, an aging workforce, falling birth rates and a near-bottom national economic ranking.
What’s one fun fact about you?
I am a huge Nebraska volleyball fan and was in Memorial Stadium when they set the world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event — an unforgettable moment in my hometown.
Hobbies: Walking my dog and keeping our eyes peeled for the deer that roam through the Beaverdale and Waveland neighborhoods; seeking out new adventures and restaurants in Des Moines and beyond; cheering on my favorite sports teams – Nebraska Huskers, Indiana Fever, U.S. women’s national soccer team, Argentina, Ecuador and U.S. men’s soccer teams and Chelsea F.C.
What is one word that best describes you?
Intentional.
What’s one food you think people must try in the Des Moines area?
Paletas at Monarca.
What’s the funniest or most surprising thing that’s happened to you recently?
It was the best surprise to learn that my brother and sister-in-law are also expecting a spring baby — our due dates are three days apart.
What’s your favorite tradition to participate in locally?
My favorite way to spend a Saturday morning is grabbing an iced coffee and pupusa and walking around the downtown farmers market in Des Moines.
What is your go-to snack?
Cheese!