Leadership & Staff
Melissa Mayo
Executive Director
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Key Responsibilities: Guides and directs strategic leadership, organizational management, fundraising, program development, advocacy efforts, and community engagement to advance MENTOR Nebraska's mission and impact.
Strengths: Individualization, Relator, Maximizer, Arranger, Connectedness
Team Member Since: 2019
Education: Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska - Omaha
Hometown: Elkhorn, NE
Interests: Traveling, DIY projects, listening to podcasts, attending NBA games
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe in the power of mentoring because it is a gateway for empowerment, shared learning, and meaningful connection for both the mentor and mentee."
Learn MoreKarima Al-Absy
Associate Director of Advancement & Organizational Strategy
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Key Responsibilities: Oversees internal and external data, grant management, and quality assurance matters for the organization.
Strengths: Input, Intellection, Learner, Achiever, Adaptability
Team Member Since: 2020
Education: Bachelor's in English from Creighton University and a Master's in Near & Middle Eastern Studies from New York University
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Interests: Doing jigsaw puzzles, meditating, running, reading mystery novels, swing dancing, and watching soccer
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe in mentoring because I've had mentors make a difference in my life."
Learn MoreSusie Owens
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Key Responsibilities: Oversees training and consulting services while creating partnerships with nonprofits, corporations, higher education institutes, and donors to expand mentoring opportunities across Nebraska.
Strengths: Context, Restorative, Learner, Focus, Harmony
Team Member Since: 2022
Education: Bachelor’s in Child, Youth & Family Studies, and a Master’s in Leadership Education from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Interests: Listening to podcasts, reading books, riding bikes with my family, and attending community events
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe in mentoring because I've personally witnessed the impact of positive relationships in my life. I enjoy helping others think critically about how to maximize the power of mentoring in their organizations."
Learn MoreTeresa Riesberg
Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Key Responsibilities: Raises the visibility and awareness of MENTOR Nebraska’s work by managing and executing all external and internal digital communication strategies.
Strengths: Restorative, Learner, Intellection, Relator, Empathy
Team Member Since: 2016
Education: Bachelor's in Journalism & Mass Communication and Kinesiology & Health from Iowa State University
Hometown: Carroll, IA
Interests: Traveling, hiking, cooking, watching documentaries, and learning new things
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "Mentoring relationships have the power to foster personal growth and expand connections for both the mentee and mentor."
Learn MoreHaji Salad
Program Coordinator
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Key Responsibilities: Provides crucial support to schools implementing intentional mentoring initiatives and oversees the coordination of training, research, and evaluation activities.
Strengths: Belief, Relator, Includer, Woo, Adaptability
Team Member Since: 2023
Education: Bachelor's in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Nebraska - Omaha
Hometown: Kenya
Interests: Playing basketball, watching sports, listening to podcasts, watching movies, and traveling
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe in mentoring because I've had many mentors in my life who were influential in assisting me to get to where I am at today."
Learn MoreFred T Whitted Jr.
Associate Director of Outreach & Engagment
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Key Responsibilities: Supports member partners, fosters new relationships across Nebraska to diversify mentoring models, and implements youth engagement strategies to enhance quality mentoring opportunities for young people.
Strengths: Restorative, Belief, Achiever, Command, Significance
Team Member Since: 2022
Education: Bachelor's in Criminal Justice/Police Science from Peru State College and Master's in Education from Concordia University
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Things I Enjoy: Working out, officiating high school sports, and watching documentaries
Interests: "I believe in mentoring because I have seen the direct impact that a mentor can have on a young person's life if they simply believe in them."
Learn MoreConsultants
Our team of mentoring experts offers training and consulting services to a wide range of organizations, including businesses, schools, public entities, and mentoring programs. To request consulting, contact us.

Nicholas Banks
Consultant
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Areas of Expertise:
Collaboration
Community-Based Mentoring
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Education (Mentoring within schools)
Mental Health
Mentoring BIPOC youth
Mentoring & Community Engagement
Mentor Recruitment & Recruiting Diverse Mentors
Nonprofit Management
Organizational Development
Partnering with Parents
Peer Mentoring
Program Development
Program Management
Program Operations
Program Planning & Design
Strategic Planning, Youth Voice
Workplace Mentoring
Consultant Since: 2022
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Interests: Listening to music, watching sports, and writing
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "Mentoring, when done authentically and intentionally, is this transformative relationship that recognizes the importance of those connections for the development and benefit of everyone."
Request Consulting
Shari Collins
Consultant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Areas of Expertise:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Education (Mentoring within schools)
Elements of Effective Practice
Training
Trauma Informed Mentoring
Workplace Mentoring
Consultant Since: 2021
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Interests:
Taking care of my plants
Travelling
Learning
Family meals
Entertaining our 2 rescue Yorkie sisters
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "The value of mentoring goes both ways -- the mentor and mentee both receive many benefits. Within this partnership, mentors and mentees can work toward a common goal and can be seen, valued and heard."
Request Consulting
Marisa Hattab
Consultant
Pronouns:
Areas of Expertise:
Collaboration
Community-Based Mentoring
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Elements of Effective Practice
Mentoring BIPOC Youth
Mentoring & Community Engagement
Mentor Recruitment & Recruiting Diverse Mentors
Nonprofit Management
Organizational Development
Peer Mentoring
Program Development
Program Planning & Design, Training
Youth Initiated Mentoring, Youth Voice
Workplace Mentoring
Consultant Since: 2021
Hometown: Troy, OH
Interests: Singing, laughing uncontrollably, and live concerts
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I strongly believe that mentorship serves as a powerful avenue for individuals to access opportunities, receive powerful support and validation, and ultimately guide them in discovering their own unique sense of purpose and belonging."
Request Consulting
Angela Hipp
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Elements of Effective Practice
Program Planning, Management & Operations

Dasia Horne
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Community-Based Mentoring
Match Support
Program Planning & Development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Nativia Jones
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Mentoring BIPOC girls
Youth Voice
Mental Health
Peer Mentoring

Emily Koopman
Consultant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Areas of Expertise:
Community-Based Mentoring
Education (Mentoring within schools)
Mentoring & Community Engagement
Nonprofit Management
Program Management
Program Planning & Design
Consultant Since: 2021
Hometown: Raymond, NE
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe in mentoring because it's an intentional investment, made by both the mentor and mentee, with the outcomes of shared learning, expanded understanding, and personal connection."
Request Consulting
Susan Mayberger
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Refugee, Immigrant & Migrant Populations
Program Management & Organizational Needs

Dustin Oltman
Consultant
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Areas of Expertise:
Mentoring & Community Engagement
Nonprofit Management
Program Development
Program Management
Program Operations
Program Planning & Design
Consultant Since: 2021
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Interests: Spending time with my family, working out, music, traveling, coaching and KC Chiefs
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe that mentoring builds bridges for gaps in opportunities."
Request Consulting
DerNecia Phillips
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Program Development
Strategic Planning
Mentoring & Community Engagement

Tess Starman
Consultant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Areas of Expertise:
Data Analysis
Elements of Effective Practice
National Quality Mentoring Assessment
Consultant Since: 2021
Hometown: Owatonna, MN
Interests: Reading, exploring new coffee shops, traveling, hiking, and exploring
Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I got where I am today because of mentors who saw and called out potential in me. I believe that every young person inherently has potential and mentoring empowers young people to recognize and live that potential out."
Request Consulting
Keenan Tomlinson
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Nonprofit Program Development & Management
Youth Initiated Mentoring

Layla Younis
Consultant
Areas of Expertise:
Business Development
Project Management
Refugee Mentoring