LINCOLN – The NE Chamber Foundation has announced the members of its new Leadership
Nebraska class. This year’s class is the 16th in the program’s history.
Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout
the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and
opportunities facing Nebraska.
Participants have been selected from across the state, bringing varied backgrounds and diverse
talents to the program. Each candidate has demonstrated a strong commitment to Nebraska
and its future.
The seven-month program covers a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic
development, workforce and education, agriculture and environment, health care, education,
government and policy development. Participants will travel to over a dozen Nebraska
communities, where they’ll engage with top-level speakers and enjoy exclusive behind-thescenes tours.
“The Nebraska Chamber is pleased to welcome the new Leadership Nebraska class,” said Bryan
Slone, NE Chamber President. “once again, the class includes incredibly talented professionals
from throughout the state who are already making a difference in their organizations and
communities. The Leadership Nebraska experience will provide them a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to learn much more about the entire state and build not only their knowledge but
their networks as they continue their professional careers. As I have traveled the state and
seen the amazing things that many of our communities are doing to grow our state and attract
and retain young people and families, it has confirmed to me that above all else, leadership
matters! I can’t wait to see what this class of leaders does going forward, much like all the
Leadership Alumni before them.”
Following are the Nebraskans selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska’s Class XVI, along
with the class member’s employer:
BATTLE CREEK:
Angela Bessmer, Nucor Cold Finish
BELLEVUE:
Guadalupe Millan, All United Building
Maintenance
DENTON:
Stacey Roach, Olsson
GERING:
Clinton Schleicher, ALLO Fiber
GIBBON:
Matthew Smallcomb, City of Gibbon
GRAND ISLAND:
Zachary Griess, Bosselman Enterprises
KEARNEY:
Alexander Straatmann, University of
Nebraska at Kearney
LINCOLN:
Jennifer Williams, American
Communications Group, Inc.
Julie Murray-Jensen, The Foundry
Community Foundation
Melissa Grovijohn, Pinnacle Bank
Mitchell Clark, First Five Nebraska
Nathan Clouse, General Excavating
Tiffany Pusateri, Black Hills Energy
OMAHA:
Adam Steffen, Medica
Candice Price, Home Team Auto Sales
Christina Kahler, FNBO
Dustin Marvel, OPPD
Elise McHatton, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Nebraska
Jordan Klute, Klute
Julie Davis, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation
Rachael Johnson, Ho-Chunk, Inc.
Robert Bell, Robert M. Bell, P.C., L.L.O.
Shalon Buffum, Metropolitan Utilities
District
Tierra Robinson, Nebraska Medicine
Andrea Mausbach, Great Plains
Communications
OSCEOLA:
Nicole Brumbaugh, Nebraska Public Power
District
PAPILLION:
Ivy Svoboda, Nebraska Alliance of Child
Advocacy Centers
Michael DeBoer, Lamp Rynearson
Michelle Andahl, City of Papillion
Mynesha Spencer, All of Us Together Co.
Javier Saldana, Jr., Nebraska Department of
Economic Development
SIDNEY:
Timothy Craig, Adams Industries
WEST POINT:
Vanessa McCain, Cuming County
After graduation participants join a network of 360 alumni committed to lifelong learning and
community engagement.
