NE Chamber Foundation announces new Leadership Nebraska members

LINCOLN – The NE Chamber Foundation has announced the members of its new Leadership Nebraska class. This year’s class is the 14th in the program’s history.

Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska.

Participants have been selected from across the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents.  

The nine-month program covers a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic development, workforce and education, agriculture and environment, health care, education, government and policy development. 

“If we’re going to compete and win in the race for new families, talent, innovation and community development over the next five to 10 years, we need strong, informed and connected leaders to help us go the distance,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber President. “We’re pleased to welcome such a high-caliber group, from across the state, into the program.”

Following are the Nebraskans selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska’s Class XIV, along with the class member’s employer.

AURORA:
Brett Mitchell, Fontel, Inc.

BLAIR:
Jordan Rishel, Washington County Chamber of Commerce

CRETE:
Dr. Jennifer Bossard, Doane University

COLUMBUS:
Dawson Brunswick, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

FALLS CITY:
Lucas Froeschl, Falls City Economic Development Growth Enterprise

GERING:
Jennifer Sibal, Gering Public Schools

GRAND ISLAND:
Lisa Albers, Anesthesia Group of Grand Island
Lori Schuppan, Chief Industries, Inc.
Lynne Werner, First National Bank (FNBO)

IMPERIAL:
Eric Exum, Pinnacle Bank

KEARNEY:
Michael Christen, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Trevor Lee, Economic Development Council of Buffalo County
John Lowe, State of Nebraska

LINCOLN:
Matthew Kasik, Region V Services
Brandon Malleck, Black Hills Energy
John McNally, Nebraska Public Power District
Holley Salmi, NE Chamber
Abbi Swatsworth, OutNebraska

NORFOLK:
Candace Schmidt, Norfolk Public Schools

NORTH PLATTE:
Jacob Rissler, Mid-Plains Community College

OMAHA:
Sydnie Carraher, The Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative
Brenda Christensen, SHARE Omaha
Veronica Doga, UNO-Nebraska Business Development Center
Ryan Gerdts, Omaha Public Power District
Cynthia Gubbels, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
Patrick Hoefener, Medica
Kara O’Connor, Edward Jones
Patricia Thraen, Peter Kiewit Foundation

PAPILLION:
Mark Stursma, City of Papillion

WAYNE:
Brittany Webber, State Nebraska Bank & Trust