At Oakridge Neighborhood, we know that some of our strongest leaders are people who’ve lived our mission firsthand. One of those inspiring stories belongs to Dr. Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, a former Oakridge resident who’s come full circle to lead as President of our Board of Directors. His connection to Oakridge stretches back over two decades.

“My family and I moved to Des Moines, and we ended up living at Oakridge for about two years,” he said. “I was in fifth and sixth grade then.”

At the time, he didn’t realize just how big an influence those years would be. “I don’t think I knew how much Oakridge was shaping me,” he said. “But looking back now, I can see how important it was to my growth and who I’ve become.”

He remembers fondly the community spirit during those childhood years, from youth programs and neighbors who looked out for each other, to catching the bus in front of Edmunds Elementary.

“There was a real sense of pride in being from Oakridge,” he said. “It gave me connections and memories that have stayed with me all my life.”

Coming Full Circle
After moving away and finishing college, Skylar returned to Des Moines in 2012 for a new job, and found Oakridge entering his life once again in an unexpected way.

“When I moved back, I was working at United Way,” he said. “Through that work, I crossed paths with Oakridge again and met Teree Caldwell-Johnson, who was the President and CEO at the time. I didn’t set out to get involved, but Oakridge found me.”

He started volunteering, putting his skills in banking and finance to work on Oakridge’s Finance Committee. From there, one thing led to another.

“I just kept getting more involved because I cared so much,” said Skylar, now Executive Director of the Jacobson Institute at Grand View University. The Jacobson Institute serves as a resource in providing skills, training, and assessment for a future ready workforce.

Over the past eight years, Skylar has worn many hats on the Oakridge Board, including Vice President, Chair of the Housing and Services Committee, Chair of the Governance Committee, and now, Board President.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” he said. “It feels full circle to go from living at Oakridge as a kid to now helping lead the organization.

~ Guest Contributor Jackson Fehring-Terrell, Communications Intern