Lessons in Leadership and Purpose

Receiving the 2025 Drake University Distinguished Alumni Award is one of the proudest and most humbling moments of my life. To be honored by the institution that helped shape my values, direction, and purpose is deeply meaningful. Drake University has always been more than a place where I earned a degree—it’s where I became who I am in many ways.

When I arrived on campus at age 18, I had ambition, but not yet a roadmap. Drake University gave me that. Over four formative years, I was mentored, challenged, supported, and inspired by people who truly embodied the idea of purpose in action. Those experiences became the foundation for a 35-year career rooted in service, leadership, and impact.

Two mentors, who are also Drake Alumni, in particular, left an enduring imprint on me. Larry Zimpleman, the retired Chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group, modeled integrity and vision. He showed me that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about responsibility to others. He brought heart to Corporate America, and in doing so, redefined success for many of us who followed.

Dr. Wanda Everage, Vice Provost during my time at Drake, taught me the value of purpose-driven education. She believed that excellence without empathy was incomplete. Her passion for student success was contagious, and her belief and confidence in our potential stayed with me long after graduation. She helped me see that service—whether on campus or in the community—is not a side act, but central to a meaningful life.

Inspired by these mentors and the spirit of Drake, I’ve tried to give back in any way I could. Serving on the Drake University Board of Trustees for a decade from 2011 to 2021 was an honor. It gave me the chance to contribute to Drake’s ongoing evolution and to pay forward what was given to me. Establishing the Hayes Student Commons in the new Johansen Student Center was another way to say “thank you”—to create a space where future generations can connect, grow, and find their own path.

As I reflect on the throughline of my career—whether in corporate leadership, nonprofit service, or board governance—it’s clear that Drake lit the spark. Purpose in action means aligning what you do with what you believe. It means serving with conviction, leading with compassion, and always remembering where you came from.

To current students and fellow alumni: You don’t have to change the world overnight to make a difference. Purpose looks different for everyone. It might be mentoring a student, leading with ethics in your workplace, volunteering in your neighborhood, or simply being someone others can count on. Your impact, when rooted in values, ripples outward in ways you may never fully see.

Drake University taught me that real success is measured not just in what you achieve, but in how you serve. I am endlessly grateful for this community and proud to be part of its legacy. Go Bulldogs!

With gratitude and Bulldog pride,

Cain A. Hayes, BN’92
Retired President & CEO, Point32Health