ICAN

05/29/2026

Ready for a powerful burst of learning?

ICAN Learning Bursts help attendees cultivate, innovate and collaborate on their leadership talents through sessions of high-impact learning. Sessions, which focus on topics highly relevant to today’s business challenges, are designed to offer access to inspiration, connection and motivation via a quick, yet impactful, experience.

2026 dates and topics:
July 15 – Clarifying Values
Aug. 19 – Discover Your Gifts
Sept. 23 – Resilience & Gratitude
Oct. 21 – Your Manager Mindset Map

All sessions are held virtually from 10 a.m. to noon. Led by expert ICAN Faculty, participants should prepare for lively, interactive, on-camera discussions and activities.

Take it from Brianne, who’s attended multiple Learning Bursts sessions and immediately found applications in her work world.

Sign up for a single session or multiple in the series. The deadline to register is a week prior to each session. Learn more and register today! icanleaders.org/programs/learning-bursts

05/27/2026

Even great leaders need mentors and teachers.

ICAN individual leadership coaches are the perfect addition to the people in your life who encourage, educate and inspire you. A leadership coach adds a deeper level of expertise to your life and career, helping you get out of your comfort zone, focus on under-explored areas and catalyze powerful transformations in your life.

Our leadership coaching services can be tailored to how you prefer to meet, how often and which tools will elevate your performance. And if your entire leadership team is looking to advance to the next level, group coaching sessions are also available.

Explore the options and take the next step in your leadership journey today: icanleaders.org/programs/individual-coaching.

05/22/2026

Metropolitan Utilities District has been sending leaders to the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference and other ICAN programming for over 20 years. Not only do they appreciate the energy of the conference day, but the continued opportunities to bring key insights back to their employees and company.

The learning doesn’t stop after the conference ends! For those of you who joined us at , be sure to revisit the Continuing the Conversation toolkit in your email and the 90-day recordings access to maximize the impact.

05/20/2026

Across his 25-year-plus career, Tinashe “Nash” Mahupete has risen from a certified nursing assistant to president and CEO of QLI, one of the largest specialized providers of neurological rehabilitation services in the United States.

Mahupete — the 2026 recipient of the ICAN Leadership Award — has cultivated a leadership style shaped by lived experience, humility and an unwavering belief in human potential.

“Leadership isn’t a title. It’s about action. Behaving in a way that inspires others to be their best, much like what was done for me.”

Mahupete is the 11th recipient of the ICAN Leadership Award, a prestigious honor presented annually in partnership with Kiewit Corporation at the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference. The award recognizes people who live and lead authentically through ICAN’s four Cs of collaboration, compassion, confidence and creativity.

Congratulations, Nash, and thank you for your leadership!

05/14/2026

We’re feeling energized after our post-ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference Advocacy Committee meeting!

The committee supports ICAN by gathering support, spurring innovation, growing conference reach and encouraging leaders in their respective organizations and networks. During the meeting, committee members shared their conference takeaways and reviewed survey results to ensure we continue to deliver the top leadership conference in our region.

Thank you to our advocates for sharing your learnings from !

05/12/2026

If you’re like us, you’re still brainstorming new takeaways about the power of optimism intelligence from the 2026 ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference.

Take in the sights, connections and energy of by scrolling through photos from the day. Be sure to tag yourself or your company and share with your networks!

A special shoutout to Gallup for hosting an ICAN partner reception the evening before the conference. It’s a chance for our team and our incredible partners to connect and collaborate ahead of the big day. Thank you!

05/12/2026

05/08/2026

Congratulations to the latest graduates of ICAN's Defining Leadership for Men program! 👏

After attending eight immersive sessions this spring, these inspiring leaders are heading back to their workplaces and communities with greater self-awareness, heightened emotional intelligence and more effective techniques for living and working with authenticity. Welcome to the ICAN community of leaders — over 1,400 graduates strong!

DEFINING LEADERSHIP FOR MEN CLASS 29:

Zack Bowman, Urban League of Nebraska
Chris Campos, Omaha Public Power District
Reid Catt, Olsson
Alex Covalt, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
Andy Dunlap, CSG
Jeremy Ehardt, FNBO
Eric Ewing, Great Plains Black History Museum
Mike Fritzinger, AOI Construct - Furnish
Adam Gartner, Metropolitan Utilities District
Mike Gilloon, Olsson
Sam Griffin, WoodmenLife
Curtis Harmon, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
Kevin Haug, Harrison Financial Services
Ben Janecek, WoodmenLife
Eric Johnson, FNBO
John Lukecart, Physicians Mutual
Mike Miller, Methodist Health System
Mike Nickels, Omaha Public Power District
Austin Partridge, Northland Securities
Matt Schwarz, Northland Securities

ICAN Faculty Members Laura Roccaforte and John Slieter facilitated the spring 2026 program.

Learn more about ICAN's Defining Leadership program and check out registration deadlines for the spring 2027 men’s program: icanleaders.org/programs/defining-leadership.

05/01/2026

Please join us in congratulating the latest graduates of ICAN's Defining Leadership for Women program! 👏

After attending eight immersive sessions this spring, these inspiring leaders are prepared to go into their workspaces and communities to lead with greater intention, skill, authenticity and confidence. Welcome to the ICAN community of leaders — over 1,400 graduates strong!

DEFINING LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN CLASS 47:

Anna Bennett, Metropolitan Utilities District
Caitlin Bolte, Confluence - Landscape Architecture
Chelsey Durston, Highline Warren
Abbie Eisenhart, Arbor Day Foundation
Mariel Harding, Visiting Nurse Association
Racquel Henderson, City of Omaha – Mayor’s Office
Brittany Hillis, Olsson
Lyndsay Lang, Methodist Health System
Michelle Michaelsen, Laurtizen Corporation
Loraine Miller, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
Liz Muench, Olsson
Stephanie Neal, FNBO
Jen Pedersen, Physicians Mutual
Morgan Schulte, FNBO
Linsey Sousek, JEO Consulting Group
Ashley Thelander, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska
Christine Weeks, Eleanor Creative
Wendy Wells, WoodmenLife
Kristen Wesemann, University of Nebraska at Omaha

ICAN Faculty Members Jodi Beller and Ginny Curley facilitated the spring 2026 program.

Learn more about ICAN's Defining Leadership program and check out registration deadlines for the fall 2026 women’s program: icanleaders.org/programs/defining-leadership.

04/30/2026

If you’re like us, you came away with a notebook (or notes app) full of new ideas and powerful tools from the 2026 ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference.

Ready to enhance your learnings? The Continuing the Conversation Toolkit is now available to all 2026 registrants! Check your email to access on-demand recordings of all speakers and breakout sessions. The digital package is full of easy-to-use information, links to resources and questions to guide you as you look for ways to maximize and extend your conference learnings and share throughout your organization.

Let us know one of your conference takeaways in the comments!