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. All candidates have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future.
 
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

After graduation participants join a network of 320 alumni committed to lifelong learning and community engagement.
 
Leadership Nebraska is the NE Chamber Foundation’s cornerstone program. The NE Chamber Foundation is focused on meeting the needs of current business, community and state leaders, as well as equipping Nebraska’s next generation of leaders with the experiences, information and research they need to turn big ideas into bold moves.

The NE Chamber is teaming up with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED) to host a webinar that helps businesses and community leaders evaluate growth opportunities using the state’s mainline economic incentives program, ImagiNE Nebraska.
 
When: Wednesday, May 18
Noon – 1 p.m. CDT / 11 a.m. – Noon MDT
 
Who: Jacquelyn Morrison, Incentives Division Administrator, NDED
Tom Saltzman, Incentives Division Business Manager, NDED
 
What: NDED leaders will provide an overview of the full suite of benefits ImagiNE Nebraska can offer, including:

• Tax credits
• Infrastructure development loans
• Workforce training support
• Talent recruitment

Designed to help Nebraska businesses of any size, this modernized program offers greater flexibility so Nebraska businesses can use the benefits where they need them most. Employer questions encouraged.
                                       
Where: Zoom webinar
Register at NEChamber.com
                             
In 2020, the NE Chamber led a coalition of business organizations and leaders to help modernize the state’s mainline economic incentive program. The streamlined and more flexible ImagiNE Nebraska program gives businesses of all sizes new opportunities to grow in Nebraska, including tiers geared toward both urban and rural manufacturers. It was passed in a broader tax relief and economic development package.
 
A steadfast advocate for free enterprise, a competitive business climate and statewide economic growth, the NE Chamber is the state's only broad-based business and industry association.
 
NDED is holding multiple information sessions across the state to help Nebraska businesses evaluate growth opportunities through ImagiNE Nebraska.