Dr. Eric Idehen Named New Manager of DMACC's Evelyn K. Davis Center

Dr. Idehen has had extensive experience in executive leadership, community development and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives

• Dr. Idehen served as the President and CEO at OPX International LLC, Community Development Director at AmeriFirst Financial Corporation and Vice President, Community Development Officer at Wells Fargo Bank
• "Eric's deep-rooted experience in the community and his genuine passion for helping others make him an invaluable addition to the Evelyn K. Davis Center," said Mike Hoffman, Acting Associate Vice President of Community Outreach and Continuing Education at DMACC
• Dr. Idehen is multi-lingual, having lived and worked in three countries and three continents

Dr. Eric Idehen has been named the new manager of DMACC's Evelyn K. Davis (EKD) Center in Des Moines. He will be leading the first-of-its kind resource center, which opened in 2013. EKD delivers educational, job training and career services to unemployed, under-employed and underserved residents of central Iowa.

Prior to accepting the EKD Center position, Dr. Idehen was the President and CEO at OPX International LLC, where he directed business operations across two international locations.

He has also served as Community Development Director at AmeriFirst Financial Corporation where he spearheaded strategic partnerships focusing on affordable housing, financial health and community engagement.

Dr. Idehen also spent nine years as Vice President, Community Development Officer at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

"At Wells Fargo, I played a pivotal role in fostering economic development and outreach programs," said Dr. Idehen. "I designed a philanthropic giving program aligned with strategic priorities, achieved 'outstanding' ratings in regulatory exams and positioned Wells Fargo as a notable company in diverse communities."

Dr. Idehen will report to Mike Hoffman, Acting Associate Vice President of Community Outreach and Continuing Education at DMACC.

"Eric's deep-rooted experience in the community and his genuine passion for helping others make him an invaluable addition to the Evelyn K. Davis Center," said Hoffman.

Dr. Idehen is multi-lingual, having lived and worked in three countries and three continents.

"My diverse experience, strategic mindset, and passion for community engagement align with the essential functions outlined in the EKD Center manager job," said Dr. Idehen.

He said long-established programs at the EKD Center such as the Polk County Financial Empowerment Center, Careers & Employability, Men on the Move, Opportunity Passport, Small Business Solution and Y-ExCL, will continue. However, Idehen has a vision for the Center.

"In addition to the programs offered at the DMACC's EKD Center, I will introduce a different implementation process and focus on collaborating with other organizations to build a commendable force or partnership," said Dr. Idehen.

Dr. Idehen earned a bachelor's degree in quantity surveying from Federal Polytechnic in Auchi, Nigeria. He then went on to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Philosophy and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University.

A dedication event for new EKD signage and Dr. Idehen taking over the EKD leadership role will take place on Thursday, October 17 at 2 p.m. at the EKD Center, 1171 7th Street in Des Moines, on the campus of the DMACC Urban Campus.

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