Aksarben Foundation

09/01/2026

A great internship can be the beginning of a great career.

For Brandon Rich, Principal at Alvine, an internship during his final semester at the University of Nebraska turned into a career that will reach 20 years next year.

In the latest episode of the Aksarben Foundation Floor Committee Podcast, Brandon talks with LaShonna Dorsey and Shayla Kelly about his path into engineering, why he remains passionate about internships, and the value of connecting young professionals with meaningful experiences.

He also shares how his involvement with the Floor Committee has helped him build relationships with others who care about giving back and strengthening the community.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/5gBL7xe-_ew

08/31/2026

Today is the final day to register for the Metro Region Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards! 🌟

On September 8, we’re bringing together students, educators, employers, mentors, and community leaders to celebrate the people creating stronger pathways for emerging talent across the Metro Region.

The awardees and nominees are great examples of what happens when Nebraska invests in its people. Internships and apprenticeships become careers. Mentors help develop future leaders. Employers create opportunities for talent to grow, contribute, and build a future right here in Nebraska.

Join the Aksarben Foundation and our collaborators at each of Nebraska's six community colleges as we recognize the individuals and organizations helping strengthen Nebraska’s workforce and shape what comes next.

📍 Metro Region Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards
📅 September 8, 11a - 1p at MCC's For Omaha Campus
⏰ Registration closes today, August 31
🎟️ Free to attend

👉 Register today: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netametro/

Learn more about the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards: https://aksarben.org/neta

08/25/2026

The things you care deeply about outside of work can sometimes point you toward the work you’re meant to do.

That’s exactly what happened for Hayley Fisher.

Now a Manager of Development at United Way of the Midlands, Hayley shares how volunteering, fundraising, community involvement, and a desire to help others eventually led her to make a major career move.

In this episode of the Aksarben Foundation Floor Committee Podcast, Hayley talks with LaShonna Dorsey and Shayla Kelly about her work at United Way, why she joined the Floor Committee, the impact of 211, her passion for mentoring young people, and her advocacy with Project Harmony.

She also shares a deeply personal part of her story as a child abuse survivor—and why reclaiming her voice has become such an important part of how she gives back today.

It’s a conversation about community, purpose, resilience, and what can happen when you find a way to use your experiences to help someone else.

🎧 Listen here: https://youtu.be/z0cGv0FaWC4

08/24/2026

The Omaha RSVP deadline for the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards - Metro Region is just one week away. Join us for the first of six events across Nebraska celebrating the people creating stronger pathways for emerging talent. 🌟

"Since 2020, 22 of 28 underwriting interns converted to full-time roles under this mentor's leadership. 19 now make up 37% of the team. His mentorship isn't just impactful, it's measurable."
— An excerpt about a nominee in the Internship Mentor category in the Finance & Insurance industry | Metro Region

When Nebraska leaders invest their time, experience, and trust in emerging professionals, they do more than support an internship. They help develop talent, strengthen organizations, and create more reasons for people to build their careers here.

That is the kind of leadership the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards were created to celebrate.

Presented by the Aksarben Foundation in partnership with Nebraska’s six community colleges, the awards recognize the students, educators, employers, mentors, and community partners strengthening Nebraska’s workforce. Winners are selected by independent regional committees, and all events are free to attend.

📍 September 8 | Omaha
RSVP by August 31

📍 September 23 | Lincoln
RSVP by September 16

👉 Register for Omaha: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netametro/

👉 Learn more about all regional events: https://aksarben.org/neta

Join us for the Metropolitan Community College region celebration of the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards, recognizing the individuals and organizations shaping the future of Nebraska’s workforce.

08/20/2026

We want to send a huge thank you to Litzy Kjar-Morales, who recently wrapped up her internship with the Aksarben Foundation after joining us in June 2025!

Throughout her time with us, Litzy made an impact across several areas of our work. She led podcast interviews, developed social media campaigns to help employers and interns get the most from early-career experiences, and created a practical onboarding guide to help new interns quickly understand the Foundation’s tools and processes.

Litzy also led volunteer communications and engagement for the 2026 Nebraska Women in Tech Summit through our Nebraska Tech Collaborative initiative and our summer baseball mixer, playing an important role in the success of both events. Months later, we are still hearing great things about her communication and leadership!

Litzy consistently showed up as a professional, willing go-getter who was ready to take on new challenges and make a meaningful contribution. We are grateful for everything she brought to our team, wish her all the best in her next chapter!

08/20/2026

AI is reshaping how businesses work, how customers search, and how brands connect with the people they want to reach.

In the latest episode of the TEN Podcast, Shayla Kelly, Marketing Director at Complete Weddings + Events, joins LaShonna Dorsey and Brian Poppe for a conversation about marketing, entrepreneurship, AI, and the power of building strong relationships.

Shayla leads marketing strategy, analytics, digital marketing, branding, and growth initiatives for an expanding franchise network, helping business owners across the country turn marketing efforts into measurable growth.

During the conversation, Shayla shares:
• How AI is helping marketers brainstorm, work more efficiently, and strengthen messaging
• Why changing customer behavior is forcing businesses to rethink how they market
• What technology can improve and where human expertise still matters
• How her early work in Omaha’s startup community continues to influence how she supports entrepreneurs today
• Why strong relationships and shared knowledge remain essential to business and community growth

Shayla also shares her work as 2026 Co-Chair of the Aksarben Foundation Floor Committee, a group of more than 90 young professionals who are business and community leaders committed to building relationships, learning from one another, and supporting communities across Nebraska.

Plus, Shayla and LaShonna share more about the launch of the new Aksarben Foundation Floor Committee Podcast, created to spotlight the people, careers, and community leadership represented across the committee.

The tools will keep changing.
The value of real connection will not.

🎧 Listen to the episode:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KbyPr64yXAOht9ANLFtt7?si=m0HEEpR9S0m0CvCnzohnLQ

What has had the biggest impact on your growth: technology, knowledge, or relationships?

08/17/2026

Nebraska is full of talented people stepping up, leading, and creating opportunities for others. Come meet them, and bring someone who needs to hear their stories. 🌟

"She started as an intern, became a coordinator overseeing 30 peers, then stepped into the top student leadership role — writing grants, serving on a board of directors, and helping match nearly 75 students with purpose-driven organizations across Lincoln."
— An excerpt about a nominee in the Returning Intern category in the Public Service / Government industry | Southeast Region

This nominee's journey reflects the kind of leadership that strengthens communities and builds Nebraska’s future.

The Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards celebrate people and organizations statewide who are investing in talent and creating pathways for people to live, work, and thrive in Nebraska.

Presented by the Aksarben Foundation in partnership with Nebraska’s six community colleges, winners are selected by independent regional committees, and all events are free to attend.

📍 September 8 | Omaha
RSVP by August 31

📍 September 23 | Lincoln
RSVP by September 16

👉 Register for Omaha: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netametro/

👉 Register for Lincoln: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netasoutheast/

👉 Learn more about all regional events: https://aksarben.org/neta

08/13/2026

Nebraska’s future is already being built by talented people choosing to grow their careers right here at home. 🌟

"She reduced task completion time by 50%, trained three new interns, led planning committees, and became a campus ambassador for her employer — all within a single internship."
— An excerpt about a nominee in the Returning Intern category in the Business Administration industry | Metro Region

One internship can open a career pathway, strengthen an organization, and help emerging talent see what is possible right here in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards celebrate the students, educators, employers, and community partners creating those opportunities across our state.

Presented by the Aksarben Foundation in collaboration with Nebraska’s six community colleges, the awards recognize the people helping build a stronger talent pipeline for Nebraska. Winners are selected by independent regional committees, and all events are free to attend.

📍 September 8 | Omaha
RSVP by August 31

📍 September 23 | Lincoln
RSVP by September 16

👉 Register for Omaha: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netametro/

👉 Register for Lincoln: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netasoutheast/

👉 Learn more about all regional events: https://aksarben.org/neta

08/12/2026

We’re proud to see Aksarben Foundation Vice President Shonna Dorsey sharing her expertise with Omaha professionals on August 20 at Field Club Omaha.

In Supercharge Your In-Person Networking: Practical Strategies (and AI) to Build More Meaningful Connections, Shonna will share practical ways to prepare for networking events, have stronger conversations, follow up effectively, and use AI to support relationship-building without losing the human connection that matters most.

At Aksarben, Shonna leads our statewide workforce and talent initiatives, including the Nebraska Tech Collaborative and Aksarben Scholarships & Internships. Her work brings together business, education, government, and community partners to strengthen Nebraska’s talent pipeline and create more opportunities for people to live, work, and thrive here.

📅 August 20
⏰ 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Field Club Omaha

Join Shonna for a practical, engaging conversation about building relationships that can strengthen your career and your community.

Register today! https://prsanebraska.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=232

08/10/2026

Know someone who should be in the room for this? Tag them. 👇

"A few job shadows changed everything — this nominee shifted her career path entirely and went on to become the youngest Executive Director at one of North America's largest retirement living companies."
— An excerpt about a nominee in the Returning Intern category in the Healthcare & Life Sciences industry | Metro Region

This story, shared through a nomination in the Returning Intern category for Healthcare & Life Sciences in the Metro Region, is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people have opportunities to explore careers, build connections, and see a future for themselves in Nebraska.

That is what the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards are all about: celebrating the students, educators, employers, and community leaders creating pathways for Nebraskans to live, work, and thrive right here at home.

This fall, the inaugural awards will bring communities together across the state to recognize the people and partnerships strengthening Nebraska’s workforce.

📍 September 8 | Omaha
RSVP by August 31

📍 September 23 | Lincoln
RSVP by September 16

Additional celebrations will follow in North Platte and Norfolk in October and Kearney and Gering in November.

The Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards are presented by the Aksarben Foundation in partnership with Nebraska’s six community colleges. Winners are selected by independent regional committees, and all events are free to attend.

👉 Register for Omaha: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netametro/

👉 Register for Lincoln: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netasoutheast/

👉 Learn more about all six regional events: https://aksarben.org/neta