Congratulations to Superintendent Ian Roberts on being named the 2023 Cultural Newcomer of the Year by the Business Publications Corporation. The News Changemaker Awards for 2023 were announced on Wednesday evening at the company’s 20|40 event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of dsm magazine and the 40th anniversary of the Business Record.

Eighteen finalists in six different categories were selected from reader nominations, and readers cast more than 1,000 votes to determine this year’s winners. These awards recognize people and organizations making headlines within the Business Record and dsm magazine in business and culture.

The award presented to Superintendent Roberts recognizes an individual who is new to the community or in a new position of leadership in a cultural or nonprofit organization who has already and will continue making significant contributions to the community.

“I am excited every day to have the honor of leading Des Moines Public Schools alongside a great team of teachers, administrators and staff, and am grateful to Business Publications for recognizing the importance of our public schools to the community,” said Dr. Roberts. “I am thankful for the warm reception I have received over the past several months in Des Moines and for the support shown for our students and schools.”

Other finalists for the Cultural Newcomer aware were Jerrica Marshall, executive director of the Directors Council, a coalition of leaders whose mission is to improve conditions in neighborhoods they serve through systemic change, and Kelly Baum, who became director of the Des Moines Art Center in May of this year.