Meet Lauren

Hello!  My name is Lauren Campbell, and I'm honored to serve on the Windsor Heights City Council.  I love living in Windsor Heights, and I want to help Windsor Heights continue to grow as a city that serves its residents while attracting businesses and visitors to our community.  I'm a small business owner, mama to Andrew, and wicked stepmother to Saffron. I work full-time in corporate training, holding certifications in Payroll, Emotional Intelligence, and Progress Coaching.

I grew up just outside of Windsor Heights, attending Art in the Park down at the old shelter in Colby Park, eating snow cones from the Lions Club during Music in the Park, and catching as much candy as possible during the 4th of July Parade.  I'm a graduate of Dowling, and after some time at DMACC and Drake, I began my career in corporate training and human resources while I kept my passion for photography on the back burner.  In 2011, I started my photography business, which would later grow to open a studio here in Windsor Heights. 

When I began the search for my first home at the end of 2012, Windsor Heights was at the top of my list.  My wish list was a brick ranch with easy access to I-235, and my realtor showed me a diamond in the rough - a Colby brick with lots of potential.  And in April of 2013, I finally became a resident of Windsor Heights.  

I like the idea of a fixer-upper, a place where I can put in some hard work and make it shine.  My home is still far from perfect as we work through our project list, but I'm determined to make our home the very best we can while sticking to our budget.  I had a similar approach when we signed the lease for my photography studio at 6571 University Avenue.  Colby has been fantastic to work with and allowed me to improve our space through hard work and a little sweat equity.

In some ways, I view our city as a fixer-upper, and I've never been afraid to roll up my sleeves.  Our council has to work hard to balance the repairs and wants of our city and provide community events for residents, all while working within our budget to be good stewards of tax dollars.  Sometimes that means we have to take on more do-it-yourself projects - like when the city canceled the 2018 parade, I raised my hand and planned the parade with six weeks' notice to make sure our residents had the best 4th of July possible.  Never mind that I had never planned a parade before, and I was seven months pregnant on the 4th! I'm eager to continue to help Windsor Heights be its very best through hard work. 

Volunteering is very important to me - I do my best to give back and support my community.  Here are some of my contributions:


2023 Fire Association Easter Egg Hunt

With Andrew, Councilwoman Skeries and Councilman Joseph Jones

Bubbler Event at Colby Park, by Des Moines Performing Arts


Gaining support for our RAISE Grant application From Rep. Zach Nunn with Mayor Mike Jones and Councilwoman Susan Skeries on the 2023 DMDC trip with the GDMP

DART + DMPL Bus Ride following DART story hour at Franklin Avenue Library

2022 Movies in the Park

Councilwoman Skeries and I serve on our special events committee

2022 Fall Festival at Colby Park


2022 Windsor Wonderland with Councilman Joseph Jones, Councilwoman Susan Skeries, and Councilwoman Threase Harms

2022 Windsor Wonderland Ugly Sweater Run

2022 Municipal Leadership Academy with Councilwoman Susan Skeries

2022 Windsor Heights Firefighter Association Easter Egg Hunt at Colby Park 

DART Commission Meeting (with Urbandale Councilwoman Bridget Carberry-Montgomery)

2022 BRAVO Gala with Councilwoman Susan Skeries

2022 Accomplishments