Class of 17 Britney Appelgate: Transforming Communities

Transforming Communities

As a first-generation college degree holder, Britney Appelgate ’17 calls her graduation from Simpson, “one of the proudest days of my life.” Gratitude for her breakthrough education no doubt explains Appelgate’s passion for giving others access to life-changing opportunities.

As vice president for Community Relations at Wells Fargo, Appelgate leads strategic charitable giving and community impact plans for several states throughout the Midwest, including Iowa. She manages millions of dollars in grants to local nonprofit organizations to help create affordable housing, financial mobility and small business growth.

Appelgate says she’s energized by opportunities to partner in tackling the region’s biggest challenges with innovative solutions. She’s especially proud to be part of a $700,000 grant awarded in 2023 for a game-changing project in Des Moines.

“We’re helping to fund a small business incubator on Center at 6^th [Avenue] — the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the state,” said Appelgate. “The new building will open soon, and the impact will be transformative in supporting dozens of small businesses and driving broader economic development for the neighborhood.”

Maximizing Opportunities

Most recently, Appelgate coordinated and announced a $500,000 grant to Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity to celebrate construction of its 500^th home since its founding. Helping people in need, especially those facing marginalization and/or discrimination, is a hallmark of her quickly advancing career.

Prior to Wells Fargo, Appelgate served as the director of Capital Crossroads, where she brought together regional business, nonprofit and government leaders to collaborate around community goals in housing, transportation, environmental sustainability, racial equity and more. She pursued similar projects during her time as senior program manager at SPPG.

Simpson helped Appelgate open all these doors, especially through a trio of internships with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, United Way of Central Iowa and the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

“Each of those opportunities allowed me to build a network of influential leaders in greater Des Moines before I even graduated college. My liberal arts education taught me so much about the world and expanded my horizons.”