Karoline Myers
Director of education, Des Moines Performing Arts
Age: 38
Accomplishments that make you deserving of being a Forty Under 40:
I manage arts education and community engagement programs that have grown to serve more than 75,000 students, teachers and community members annually.
I program Des Moines Performing Arts’ Applause Series (school matinee series), Wellmark Family Series and Explorer Series.
I oversee the statewide Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards, which have grown to be the largest initiative of its kind in the country, engaging more than 30,000 students in the initiative's first decade.
I serve as board president of the nonprofit youth music organization Heartland Youth Choir.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
My passion is using the arts to kindle young people's curiosity, confidence, critical thinking and empathy. As our world becomes increasingly complex, the arts empower youths to find their voice and sense of belonging, all while equipping them with skills to become our next generation of compassionate and capable leaders.
What are your goals in your role at work?
Professionally, I am working on programming aspects of our upcoming season, preparing for this year's Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, and dreaming of next chapters for the expansion of our mission-based programming to meet the evolving needs of our schools and community.
What are your goals in a role outside of work?
I currently serve as board chair for the nonprofit Heartland Youth Choir. My energies there have been focused on helping the 20-year-old organization navigate a significant artistic leadership transition, with the goal of preserving what makes the organization great for area youths and also helping it achieve increased sustainability.
Tell us about an experience or memory that influenced how you see the world or what you want to do in life.
At age 14, I sat in a dark theater and experienced “Les Misérables.” I laughed, cried, held my breath and felt deeply what it means to be human alongside hundreds of others. In that moment, I grasped how the arts are powerful connectors to our humanity and one another.
What are your aspirations for the future?
Many of our education programs have grown beyond what our current facilities can support. I dream of adding a dedicated education center to our venues, as well as forging new avenues to take experiences out into the community and other regions of the state, increasing both reach and access.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to a young professional?
Listen deeply, ask questions and be assured that you are immensely capable of contributing to making the world a better place. Whether through your career or community involvement, if you keep showing up and doing the next right thing, remarkable things can and will happen.
What is one thing you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address, and why?
I would like to see Central Iowa business leaders advocate for our educators, and thereby, our students. We are seeing immense pressures and inadequate resources make the education profession untenable for too many teachers in our state. We cannot hope to make our society more equitable and our business community stronger if we stand by while the education profession suffers an exodus. Investment in educators is an investment in our children and our future.
What's one fun fact about you?
One of my guilty pleasures is watching “flosstube,” or YouTube videos by people who cross stitch showing off their projects.
Hobbies: Time with my cat, cross stitching, playing cards with my family.
One word that describes you: Invested.
What is your favorite local restaurant? Centro.
Name one book, podcast, movie or show you love. “Unlocking Us” podcast with Brené Brown.
What is your go-to activity to do in Central Iowa in the evenings or during the weekend?
Seeing shows at the Civic Center, of course! I also love going for walks along the Principal Riverwalk.
Is there anything else people should know about you?
I'm the proud auntie of the cutest nephew, Atlas.