Des Moines National Security Forum explores building ethical organizations

The CGSC Foundation and its Simons Center hosted a gathering of the Des Moines National Security Forum (DMNSF) at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa on April 29, 2026. This presentation of the forum featured a discussion about building ethical organization led by Trent J. Lythgoe, Ph.D., an associate professor of military leadership and the Fox Conner Chair for Leadership Studies at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Simons Center Director Todd Schmidt provided welcome remarks, recognized the sponsors and after lunch, introduced Lythgoe.

In his remarks Lythgoe said although a leader’s personal integrity and ethical example matter, they are not enough to create an ethical organization. He said leaders must also build an ethical culture — a system of shared beliefs and values that drive ethical behavior. Leaders design ethical cultures by aligning formal systems, such as policies, training, and incentives, with informal systems, such as rituals, stories, and heroes. When formal and informal systems align around ethical values, ethical behavior becomes embedded in the culture.

After his presentation, Lythgoe took questions from the audience, after which Schmidt presented him with a small gift in appreciation for his time with the Forum.

Trent J. Lythgoe, Ph.D., is an associate professor of military leadership and the Fox Conner Chair for Leadership Studies at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He teaches courses on organizational development, leadership ethics, decision-making, and professional writing. His research interests include adaptive leadership, civil-military relations, and learning organizations.

Lythgoe’s writing has been published in both civilian and military journals, and he is the lead author and editor of Professional Writing: The Command and General Staff College Writing Guide.

Lythgoe earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Kansas. Outside academia, he enjoys reading, ballroom dancing, and serving as his golden retriever’s personal concierge.

The CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center designed the Des Moines National Security Forum in the mold of its Arter-Rowland National Security Forum in Kansas City, wherein members of the forum meet periodically at guest speaker events to learn about issues related to national security. To help facilitate the new program in Des Moines, Brownells in Grinnell, Iowa, is the Simons Center’s local partner. Brownells Chairman Pete Brownell is also the Vice Chair for the Central Region of the U.S. for the CGSC Foundation’s board of trustees. The plan is to present at least four programs each year by subject matter experts on national security issues of interest to the business community.

The Des Moines National Security Forum is an exclusive professional information sharing and networking event exclusively for members of the forum and select invitees of the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center and Brownells, the co-hosts of the Forum.

~ Thank you to our 2026 DMNSF Sponsors ~