Leadership Nebraska

10/02/2026

Dinner with a view? Yes, please!! 🙌

Join us October 21 at the FNBO Tower for an evening overlooking downtown Omaha with the incredible UNO Chancellor Joanne Li as our Leadership in Action Speaker!

🍸 5:30 p.m. Cocktails
🍽️ 6:00 p.m. Dinner & Speaker

Great views. Great conversation. Great excuse for a Leadership Nebraska reunion!

Register here ➡️ https://secure.qgiv.com/for/lnadom/

09/29/2026

What a day!!! ⛳️🍻

A HUGE thank you to everyone who joined us for the 3rd Annual Leadership Nebraska Links & Libations Golf Outing at Meadowlark Hills in Kearney!

We had an awesome group of golfers, plenty of friendly competition, a few questionable shots 😄 and, most importantly, a really fun day with Leadership Nebraska friends from across the state.

A special THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors who helped make the day possible:

🏆 Presenting Sponsor – Olsson
🍻 Libations Sponsor – Husch Blackwell
🍽️ Lunch Sponsor – Nebraska Diplomats
🎁 Awards Sponsor – Tru Built
⛳ Hole Sponsors – FNBO, Stan Clouse, Pure Water, AnchorGraFX Design Co., Nebraska Hospital Association

And congratulations to our Tournament Champions – Derek Rusher, Stan Clouse, Lucas Dart and Curt Ott

09/19/2026

09/19/2026

Photo overload!!! Class XVIII had an AMAZING time in Western Nebraska!!

A little golf at Wild Horse Golf Club kicked things off! Water and agriculture at Bayer Crop Science, Gothenburg Water Utilization Learning Center, beef production at Sustainable Beef LLC, economic development with the North Platte Chamber & Development, a bird’s-eye view of Bailey Yard, life lessons from Senator Mike Jacobson, public power at Nebraska Public Power District GERALD GENTLEMAN STATION, and water, power and recreation at Kingsley Dam at Lake McConaughy thanks to Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. And we weren’t done yet! Chimney Rock, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Brown Sheep Company and Grand Republic Milling Company rounded out an incredible few days.

They learned. They toured. They asked a lot of questions. They crossed time zones. They spent A LOT of quality time on a bus. 😂 And somewhere along the way, this group became even more fun!

So many great conversations, so many incredible Nebraska stories and so many people who generously opened their doors to us.

Western Nebraska, you were SO good to us!! ❤️

Next stop… the Omaha Metro!

08/21/2026

Not your average leadership program.

Leadership Nebraska is about access, conversations and learning directly from the people shaping our state.

Class XVIII had the opportunity to hear from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers during our opening session in Nebraska City—and he gave us plenty to think about.

And that was only Day ONE.

Seven months. One state. Countless conversations ahead.

This is Leadership Nebraska.

08/21/2026

What an incredible three days in Nebraska City! We kicked off Class XVIII's Leadership Nebraska journey by getting to know one another, digging into our individual leadership styles and then taking a crash course in all things Nebraska—from education and workforce development to agriculture, history, infrastructure, healthcare and economic development.

We also had plenty of time for the good stuff—great conversations, lots of laughs, and the beginning of friendships that will make the next seven months pretty special.

A HUGE thank you to the incredible speakers who shared their time and expertise with us, our sponsors Medica Health Plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska and Pinnacle Bank who make these experiences possible, and Lied Lodge for being such a wonderful home for our first session.

Most of all, thank you to the 35 members of Class XVIII for jumping in with both feet. If these first three days are any indication, we are in for one heck of a year!!

Next stop…Western Nebraska!

08/19/2026

Leadership Nebraska Class XVIII kicks off in less than an hour!

Before we begin, a huge THANK YOU to Medica for serving as our Presenting Sponsor for the fourth year in a row!!! Their continued support and belief in Leadership Nebraska helps make this program possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their partnership.

Thank you, Medica, for investing in Nebraska’s leaders and in the future of our state!

Class XVIII…here we go!!

08/18/2026

⚾ Leadership Nebraska Class XVIII Rookie Card
🏷️ Name: Yesenia Valenzuela
🏢 Team: DLR Group
⚾ Playing Position: Business Development Leader
📍 Home Field: Omaha

🔥 Scouting Report:
Yesenia is a connector who brings people, projects, clients, and communities together. From city government to business development, she is focused on partnerships that create positive and lasting impact.

⭐ Off the Field:
Yesenia has served organizations focused on food security, youth development, economic opportunity, neighborhood strength, and community connection—basically, she is always finding ways to show up.

Yesenia is a connector, relationship builder, and community champion. Welcome to the lineup, Yesenia — Class XVIII is stronger with you on the team! ⚾

08/17/2026

⚾ Leadership Nebraska Class XVIII Rookie Card
🏷️ Name: Valerie Beel
🏢 Team: Valerie Enterprises, LLC
⚾ Playing Position: Owner
📍 Home Field: Gordon

🔥 Scouting Report:
Valerie is a powerhouse for rural development, entrepreneurship, and community revitalization. From reopening a local movie theater to downtown development and small-business support, she knows how to make big things happen in small communities.

⭐ Off the Field:
Valerie spends time with her son, Calvin, dog Chili, and three cats, and enjoys gardening, reading, yoga, walking, and serving Gordon and Sheridan County in about a million ways.

Valerie is rural Nebraska energy at its finest — creative, determined, and ready to make things happen. Welcome to the roster, Valerie — this rookie season is going to be a home run! ⚾