Leadership Nebraska Announces New Class

The NE Chamber Foundation has announced the members of its new Leadership Nebraska class. This year’s class is the 15th 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.
 
“We are excited and pleased to welcome this incredibly talented group to our statewide leadership program,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber President. “If we’re going to truly compete and solve our workforce challenges by growing communities that excel at supporting young families, talent, innovation and community development over the next decade, the next generation of strong and informed leaders like this group will be necessary to achieve those goals.”
 
Following are the Nebraskans selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska’s Class XV, along with the class member’s employer.
 
AUBURN:
Crystal Dunekacke, City of Auburn
 
AURORA:
Adam Jurgens, Hamilton Telecommunications
 
BLAIR:
Kelli Vondra, Great Plains Communications
 
COLUMBUS:
David Mazankowski, Nebraska Public Power District
Brett Rains, Columbus Credit Services
 
DESHLER:
Julie Deepe, Midwest Bank
 
ELMWOOD:
Jenna Roberts, Pinnacle Bank-Elmwood
 
GRAND ISLAND:
Shane Labenz, CMBA Architects
 
HASTINGS:
Jason Davis, Central Community College
 
HEMINGFORD:
Gina Jespersen, Hemingford Public Schools
 
HOLDREGE:
Alex Linden, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
 
KEARNEY:
Lauren Brandt, City of Kearney
Kristen Majocha, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Doug Sutko, FNBO
 
LINCOLN:
Katie Bass, First Five Nebraska
Stacy Clouse, Olsson
Lee Ann Heflebower, Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
David Sharp, Hexagon Agility
Courtney Wittstruck, Nebraska Community College Association

NORTH PLATTE:
Cassie Condon, North Platte Area Chamber & Development
OMAHA:
Kyleigh Austin, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
Patrick Burke, Viterra
Cristina Castro – Matukewicz, Wells Fargo
Beth Coffman, Omaha Public Power District
Rosalee Higgs, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands
Itzel Lopez, AIM
Tami Soper, Boys Town
Michaela Valentin, Omaha Public Power District
 
PAPILLION:
Jennifer Peters, Black Hills Energy
Amber Powers, City of Papillion

 
After graduation participants join a network of 330 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.