Audrey Kennis is the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and ADA Coordinator for the City of West Des Moines, IA. She is an educator, practitioner, and social justice advocate.  Her passion for justice and equity are evident in her personal and professional service. She has pushed for policies, practices and programming that center the experiences of historically marginalized communities at the local level. 

Originally from Denver, Co, she moved to Iowa for college where she attend Clarke University in Dubuque, IA and obtained a Bachelors in Elementary Education and Philosophy. She went on to complete a Master of Education with a certificate in Social Justice Education. She is currently finishing a master’s in Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University. Kennis has received several awards and accolades including, the 2021 College of Human Sciences Outstanding Young Professional Award, 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Advancing One Community Award, 2017 University Award for Inclusive Excellence, 2015 College of Design Academic Advising Award and several others.