Charlie Cowell Named to Des Moines Business Record's Forty Under 40 Class of 2026
Cowell joins a distinguished group of leaders shaping the future of Greater Des Moines and beyond.
RDG Planning & Design Urban Planner and Partner Charlie Cowell, AICP, has been recognized as a member of the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2026. The Forty Under 40 Awards are an annual recognition of 40 local leaders under 40, honoring both career achievements and community involvement. Winners are selected by a panel of past recipients and will be officially recognized at a ceremony held on April 2, 2026.
“Charlie has earned a reputation as a trusted resource on housing policy and community development across an extraordinary range of communities across Iowa and the Midwest,” said RDG Urban Planner and Senior Partner Cory Scott, AICP. “He approaches each engagement with the conviction that stronger communities are built through pragmatic thinking, sound evidence and the ability to guide diverse groups toward a shared future.”
Since joining the firm in 2015, Cowell has guided interdisciplinary teams through complex community planning efforts, including zoning and regulatory updates, corridor and downtown plans and data-driven housing strategies. He co-led the first statewide housing study in Kansas in nearly 30 years — work that informed legislative action and expanded state housing investment. At the state level, his plans have helped communities such as Dyersville, Ottumwa and Oskaloosa advance downtown redevelopment, infrastructure investment, housing production and regulatory reform.
Beyond his project work, Cowell demonstrates a strong commitment to professional leadership and community service. He has served on the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Board of Directors since 2014, holding several leadership roles that strengthen professional development and mentorship opportunities for planners statewide. He is also active in initiatives such as Sioux City Blue Zones, supporting efforts that connect planning decisions to public health and quality of life. Through volunteer work, speaking engagements and his involvement in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, Cowell continues to invest his time and leadership in communities across the region.