Ames Chamber of Commerce
  • Community Cash
  • Laughlin Level
    • Laughlin Level Space Request
  • Member Directory
    • Promotions & Coupons
  • Events & News
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Signature Events >
      • Annual Awards
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Traction Stories
    • Members in the News Form
    • Media Releases
    • Staff Updates
  • Membership
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Membership Application
    • Member Login
    • Member Did You Know Questionnaire
  • Chamber Programs
    • Advocacy >
      • Elected Officials Contact Form
    • Chamber Ambassadors >
      • Become an Ambassador
      • Ambassador Spotlight
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Leadership Ames >
      • Service Project Request Form
    • Workforce Solutions >
      • Intern Spotlight
      • Future Ready Boone & Story
      • Bring Students On-Site
      • Story County Retraining Program
    • Affiliate Organizations
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report 2021
    • Contact Us
  • Blog

Blog Posts

Making Ames Home

2/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Written by: Leah Whaley, Public Relations Intern

As California and New York natives, Liz McAllister and her husband Zach Lisabeth may have never pictured themselves living and working in Iowa, but after nearly four years here, Ames has become their home. Zach earned his degree from Northwestern University in Communications and continued his education pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Iowa State University, which led Liz and Zach to Ames in 2016.

Prior to their life in Ames, Liz graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont, California with a degree in environmental studies and went on to serve for two years in AmeriCorps where she began working in youth education and development. She is currently completing her master’s degree in social and cultural studies of education from Iowa State and serves as the Director of Strategic Change Management at the Iowa State University Foundation.
​
In her past role, Liz she traveled frequently, and as a writer Zach travels to both Los Angeles and New York, but throughout their careers they have chosen to stay in Ames rather than relocating. The sense of community and inclusivity in Ames have been a big factor in why they have chosen to stay, and do not have plans of leaving anytime soon. “For the foreseeable future, I see us here,” said McAllister “Ames is a calm and comfortable place to call home.”

Ames offers the amenities of a larger city as the home of Iowa State University while still creating a welcoming, close knit community. Liz is able to see this first-hand as a community member and through her work at the Iowa State University Foundation. “There’s a real investment in the community thriving. Whether it’s the youth, adults or ensuring that it’s a welcome place for everyone, inclusion is an important factor to me and Ames represents that value well.”   
​
For those considering living in Ames, Liz’s advice is simple, “Do it,” said McAllister, “It’s a wonderful place to build connections and be part of a growing community of people who care about each other, care about the world and act on those beliefs. Find a way to get engaged in the community because then it feels like it’s yours to make and yours to build.”
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Archives

    March 2022
    November 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


Picture

304 Main St.
Ames, Iowa 50010
Phone: (515) 232-2310
About the Ames Chamber
Centrally and conveniently located in the heart of the Midwest and Iowa, Ames is known for its healthy, stable economy, flourishing cultural environment, and the world-renowned Iowa State University.
​
With over 700 members, the Ames Chamber of Commerce strives to make Ames a better place to live, work, and do business by strengthening the economic vitality and the quality of life in the Ames community.
Links
Home
Member Login
Policies & Privacy
​Sitemap
  • Community Cash
  • Laughlin Level
    • Laughlin Level Space Request
  • Member Directory
    • Promotions & Coupons
  • Events & News
    • Chamber Calendar
    • Community Calendar
    • Signature Events >
      • Annual Awards
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Traction Stories
    • Members in the News Form
    • Media Releases
    • Staff Updates
  • Membership
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Membership Application
    • Member Login
    • Member Did You Know Questionnaire
  • Chamber Programs
    • Advocacy >
      • Elected Officials Contact Form
    • Chamber Ambassadors >
      • Become an Ambassador
      • Ambassador Spotlight
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Leadership Ames >
      • Service Project Request Form
    • Workforce Solutions >
      • Intern Spotlight
      • Future Ready Boone & Story
      • Bring Students On-Site
      • Story County Retraining Program
    • Affiliate Organizations
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report 2021
    • Contact Us
  • Blog