Our Team

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."

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."

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Key Responsibilities: Spearheads systems change strategies in educational spaces, champions intentional mentoring initiatives with school and community partners, and elevates data collection and evaluation practices to showcase the impact of program services.

Strengths: Relator, Adaptability, Strategic, Responsibility, Deliberative

Team Member Since: 2024

Education: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education & Teaching from University of Nebraska - Omaha, and a Master’s in Elementary & Teaching from College of St. Mary Omaha

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Interests: Traveling, singing, and cooking

Why I Believe in Mentoring: "I believe in mentoring because I believe everybody needs a positive influence in their corner, that is continuously rooting for them to achieve and accomplish more."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

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."

Areas of Expertise:
Elements of Effective Practice
Program Planning, Management & Operations

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

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

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."

Areas of Expertise:
Refugee, Immigrant & Migrant Populations
Program Management & Organizational Needs

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."

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Areas of Expertise:
Collaboration
Community-Based Mentoring
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Education (Mentoring within schools)
Mentoring BIPOC youth
Mentoring & Community Engagement
Mentor Recruitment & Recruiting Diverse Mentors
Partnering with Parents
Program Evaluation
Program Development
Program Planning & Design
Strategic Planning
Training
Trauma Informed Mentoring
Youth Initiated Mentoring
Youth Voice

Consultant Since: 2021

Hometown: Omaha, NE

Interests:
Poetry recitation
Writing poetry & non-fiction
Public speaking: education, mentoring, leadership, support, equity, women's empowerment, healing, and Black culture
Mentoring
Community building
Educational research

Why I Believe in Mentoring: "Mentoring is a transformative force in our community that has the power to impact the mentee and mentor in multiple areas of their lives. Mentoring provides mentees with a pivotal person who believes in their potential, exposes them to new people and opportunities, helps them discover their interests and talents, fosters their growth, amplifies their voice, and encourages them to build their power."

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."

Areas of Expertise:
Nonprofit Program Development & Management
Youth Initiated Mentoring