Suku Radia

Serving on many nonprofit boards has helped me realize that for a community to be successful, it has to come together efficiently and effectively. As the city of Des Moines embarked on a commitment to the arts, I discovered that supporting the arts in addition to human and social services could strengthen the community ties that are so important to Bankers Trust Company, Iowa’s largest community bank. My business is proud to support Americans for the Arts because they provide resources and support to arts organizations nationwide, encouraging partnerships between arts and business. 

I was raised in a tradition of philanthropy and grew up watching my father’s dedication to a community in Uganda. I firmly believe that it is my obligation to leave the community a better place than I found it. At Bankers Trust Company, we place significant emphasis on education with a focus on helping children from underprivileged families. The arts are vital for the vibrancy and attractiveness of a community, but they are also an integral component of education. Partnerships with organizations like Bravo Greater Des Moines—a nonprofit committed to increasing cultural awareness, advocacy, funding, and fostering collaboration among arts, culture and heritage organizations—has enabled Bankers Trust Company to further its philanthropic vision while empowering the next generation of young leaders.

Whenever I am involved in recruiting a senior executive to my company’s headquarters in Central Iowa, I always point out the strength of our arts and culture organizations. The senior executives from major arts organizations in the Central Iowa area are well connected and do a great job of collaborating with the business community. These partnerships are helping to put Des Moines on the map as a culturally connected city with a quality of life second to none.