A Day In The Life Of A Fighter Pilot........

Meeting location at Embassy Club West:

Address (click for driving directions):
Des Moines Embassy Club - West
520 Market St. in West Des Moines, Iowa

A.J. Salinas is the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. He started his role with the organization in August, 2022. A.J. was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended North Central Missouri College for 2 years on a baseball scholarship where he got his associates degree before getting his Bachelor Degree in Business at Graceland University. After graduation, A.J. moved to Des Moines where he started his career in the non-profit sector. Starting at Children and Family Urban Movement, a non-profit that provides before and after-school care and provides meals and food to the community, A.J. had a variety of roles that included, program staff, Head Breakfast Chef, Development Assistant, Development and Communications Manager, and Director of Development. After 4 years with the organization, A.J. accepted the Associate Executive Director at Al Exito, an organization that works with LatinX youth and families in the state of Iowa. Overall, A.J. has dedicated his professional career to working with youth throughout the state of Iowa. He has been recognized as a young leader in the community and selected to participate in the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines’ leadership cohort. He has also attended conferences across the country about social justice and is a contractor for a national organization working on social justice issues. He hopes to bring his experience to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa to continue to grow our Club and support more youth. When A.J. is not in the community, he is spending time with his wife, Maddie and his 1-year old son, Mateo.