MENTOR Nebraska’s Excellence in Mentoring Awards are an opportunity to celebrate Nebraska's champions of mentoring! This free annual event honors individuals and organizations that have made tremendous contributions to young people and the youth mentoring field in Nebraska.
2023 EIM Awards
We celebrated the 2023 honorees during a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, April 19.
The EIM Awards are presented in these four categories:
- Young Leader of the Year: Recognizes a young person (8-21 years old) who is involved in a mentoring program and has demonstrated service to their community and great leadership potential. The Young Leader of the Year recipient receives a $500 scholarship.
- Mentor of the Year: Honors an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring by helping a young person reach their full potential.
- Mentoring Practitioner of the Year: Celebrates a mentoring practitioner who has made tremendous contributions to young people and the mentoring field.
- Mentoring Advocate of the Year: Recognizes a foundation, company, organization, or individual who has made a significant impact on young people by using their influence and public platform to support mentoring opportunities or mentoring initiatives.
Past EIM Awards Honorees
2023 Honorees
2022 Honorees
2021 Honorees
2020
- Mentor of the Year: Erica McGruder, Partnership 4 Kids
- Business of the Year: University of Nebraska Medical Center
2019
- Mentor of the Year: Vicky Muli, Girls Inc. of Omaha
- Business of the Year: Greater Omaha Chamber
- Advocate of the Year: Willie Barney & The Empowerment Network
2018
- Mentor of the Year: Edward Stevens, 100 Black Men of Omaha
- Business of the Year: First National Bank
- Advocate of the Year: Lisa Utterback
2016
- Mentor of the Year: Ben Ries, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
- Business of the Year: KETV News Watch 7
- Advocate of the Year: Richard Holland
2015
- Mentor of the Year: Amy Nelson, Kent Bellows Mentoring Program
- Business Advocate of the Year: Creighton University
2014
- Mentor of the Year: Dakotah Taylor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
- Business Advocate of the Year: Mutual of Omaha & Mutual of Omaha Foundation
2013
- Outstanding Collaborator: Oanh Heiser
- Mentor of the Year: Tess Larson, Girls Inc. of Omaha
- Business Advocate of the Year: OPPD
2012
- Mentor of the Year: Laura Hopp, Nominated by Ollie Webb
- Business Advocate of the Year: Kiewit Company, Nominated by TeamMates
2011
- Mentor of the Year: Elaine Bankey, Nominated by TeamMates
- Business Advocate of the Year: Kutak Rock, Nominated by Partnership 4 Kids
2010
- Mentor of the Year: Don Bend, Nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
2023 EIM Awards Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
James and Jacqueline Clough Family Foundation
Valmont
Gold Sponsors
Annette and Paul Smith
Silver Sponsors
Bland Cares Foundation
FNBO
Kutak Rock
Mutual of Omaha Foundation
Omaha Public Power District
Bronze Sponsors
Baird Holm
Matthew and Laura Enenbach
Fraser Stryker
Dave and Julie Hefflinger
Lutz
McGrath North
Metropolitan Utilities District
Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools Foundation
One Source - The Background Check Company
QuikTrip
VGA