FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2026
CONTACT:
Aron Wehr
Greater Omaha Chamber
402.978.7920
Greater Omaha Chamber Announces Leadership Omaha Class 49
Omaha, NE — The Greater Omaha Chamber is proud to announce the members of Leadership Omaha Class 49, continuing nearly five decades of one of the nation’s longest-running community leadership programs.
Leadership Omaha brings together professionals from across the region to strengthen their leadership skills, deepen their understanding of Greater Omaha, and build the relationships needed to help move the community forward.
“Leadership Omaha is at its best when a class brings curiosity, commitment, and a real desire to serve this community,” said Daniela Rojas Florez, Director of Community Leadership Programs at the Greater Omaha Chamber. “Class 49 reflects the strength and scope of Greater Omaha’s leadership pipeline. These participants represent business, education, nonprofits, public service, health care, the arts, and so many other parts of our region. We are excited to support Class 49 through a year designed to challenge, connect, and prepare them for even greater service to the Greater Omaha community.”
As in previous years, the class was selected by a committee composed of Leadership Omaha alumni and Chamber board members. Selected individuals demonstrated strong community involvement, leadership potential, and a clear commitment to Greater Omaha’s future.
Over the next 10 months, participants will explore issues critical to the region, expand their leadership capacity, and deepen their understanding of community trusteeship. Upon completion, they will join a network of more than 1,900 Leadership Omaha alumni.
Meet the Members of Leadership Omaha Class 49:
| Participant | Organization |
| Rachael Arens | Omaha Public Schools/Westview High School |
| Amy Augustyn | Lamp Rynearson |
| Katie Bassett | MECA |
| Matthew Boulay | Arthur J. Gallagher |
| Emily Brewer | PGSA |
| Jennifer Chantry | Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium |
| Jeremy Christensen | Baird Holm LLP |
| Nicole Cooper | Project Harmony |
| Craig Cope | Omaha Performing Arts – Steelhouse Omaha |
| Mallory Cranwell | City of Omaha |
| David Dover | Lifespan Counseling Omaha |
| Saida Espinoza | CHI Health |
| Nada Fadul | University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| Richard Featherstone | Nebraska Medicine/Clarkson College |
| Joey Felici | Omaha Community Foundation |
| Nathan German | LEO A DALY |
| Markeshia Grant | EPIC for Girls |
| Nathan Groninga | Mutual of Omaha |
| Kathleen Headley | ACCESSbank |
| Matthew Hubel | The Schemmer Associates Inc. |
| Avil Jackson | LuminaNorth Group |
| Candace Jorgensen | Omaha Conservatory of Music |
| Samantha Kaiser | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
| Lindsay Kroll | Omaha Police Department |
| Nayeli Lopez | Network of Hope (Red de Esperanza) |
| Kyle Marler | Kiewit Building Group Inc. |
| Victoria Mbachu | Parking Area Maintenance |
| Rachel McCown | Metonic Real Estate |
| Lauren Micek Vargas | Education Rights Counsel |
| Philip Murante | Cutchall Management Company, LLC |
| Dell Nared | Greater Omaha Chamber |
| Amanda Novotny | Women’s Center for Advancement |
| Anne O’Hara | OneWorld Community Health Centers |
| Christina Oldfather | The Bay |
| Juan Padilla | Lending Link |
| John Price | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska |
| Esmeralda Ramos | FNBO |
| Heather Robbins | BVH Architecture |
| Lindsay Rone | GreenState Credit Union |
| Andrew Saladino | Youth Emergency Services |
| William Schmidt | NorthStar Foundation |
| Dakotah Smith | Lee & Associates |
| Jeanette Weber | Investors Realty |
| Monica Wells | Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy County |
| Adam Wiese | RDG Planning & Design |
| Kit Williams | Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture |
| Chris Woodhouse | Signature Performance |
| Tara Wrighton | Hightower Reff Law |
| Brittany Young | RADIUS |
| Xin Zhao | HDR |
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About the Greater Omaha Chamber
The Greater Omaha Chamber is one of the country’s largest, strongest chambers with nearly 3,000 members and a 5-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration.