Naidid Elizarraras Aguilera is a child care provider and entrepreneur dedicated to supporting the well-being and holistic development of young children. For the past two years, she has operated a family home daycare where she creates safe, creative, and emotionally nurturing environments for children and their families. She currently participates in the Step Up to Quality program at Level 2, is working toward her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and implements health and nutrition initiatives such as Go NAPSACC. Through her work and community conversations, she shares messages of support, resilience, and hope, inspiring stronger families and communities through care, empathy.

Esmelda Amarante is the owner of Harvest Child Care LLC and co-host of the Spanish-language podcast Criando con Amor y Sabiduría. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she lived ten years in Mexico before moving to Lexington, Nebraska, eight years ago. For three years, Esmelda has cared for children in her home-based daycare, guided by her love for children and her desire to be part of the solution in early childhood education. She values family, continuous learning, and building strong connections with the families she serves.

Alyssa Anson is an early childhood education leader dedicated to strengthening systems from birth through Grade 3. With experience as an Early Childhood Specialist at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and a former public school teacher, she partners with educators, leaders, and communities to improve early learning outcomes. Alyssa specializes in coaching, professional learning, and aligning practices across settings to ensure high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction. She is passionate about building strong family-school partnerships and supporting educators to create meaningful, equitable learning experiences for all young children.

Professionally, Sara Arnett is CEO of Heritage Insurance and manages regulatory compliance for Heritage Bank.  Sara has been a licensed insurance agent since 2005.  She specializes in writing child care insurance solutions for providers all across the state, whether home or center, non-profit or for-profit.  Arnett is a native Nebraskan and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Sara volunteers as Development Coordinator and Board Member for Stick Creek Kids Child Development Center in Wood River and serves on the board of Wood River Vision 2020 Inc., a community development nonprofit that owns the center, which opened in 2021.

Dr. Katie Bass is the Director of Policy Research for Early Futures Partnership where she leads the organization’s efforts to conduct research and data analysis to inform early childhood policy in Nebraska. Katie focuses on making research accessible, relatable and applicable to policymakers, practitioners and the public. Prior to joining First Five Nebraska in 2020, she worked to improve outcomes for Nebraska children in the child welfare and juvenile justice system, most recently as the Research Director for the Foster Care Review Office. Katie earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and undergraduate degree from Hastings College.

Jennifer Baumann owns and operates The Playschool, a licensed family child care program in Chadron, Nebraska, where she has cared for children and supported families since 1999. Over 25 years in the field, she has learned firsthand what it means to build child care in a rural community with limited support and few easy answers. She is passionate about making sure other providers do not have to figure everything out the hard way and about sharing what she has learned so others feel more prepared.

McKenzie Behrendt, OTD, OTR/L, is a Ravenna resident, wife, mom of 3, and action-oriented community member who cares deeply for the future of rural Nebraska. She is also an assistant professor for the Occupational Therapy program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She mentors students in meaningful connections and projects to make a difference in their communities.

Andrea Bethke is a Senior Environmental Health Specialist with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, where she plays a central role in strengthening partnerships between public health and early childhood environments. A Kansas State University biology graduate and former food safety field inspector, Andrea now serves as the INFUSE Food Safety Consultant and Communicable Disease Lead. Her combined expertise in food safety and disease prevention uniquely supports child care settings in building healthier, more resilient systems for children and families. Andrea leads illness reporting and outbreak investigation for child care programs, provides tailored prevention guidance, and collaborates closely with early childhood professionals through onsite visits, training, and ongoing communication. Her leadership was pivotal throughout the COVID‑19 pandemic, helping providers navigate evolving requirements and daily operational decisions. She continues to support child care programs through GI illness, RSV, Norovirus, foodborne disease challenges, and emergency preparedness with a focus on clarity, consistency, and practical solutions. In addition to her early childhood work, Andrea advances public health practice through active managerial control inspections, hybrid enforcement-consultation efforts, and grant development within the Food Safety Program. She also helped modernize department-wide tools, including the online Child Care Illness Reporting System and digital foodborne illness complaint workflows.

Gail has worked at Bridgeport Public Schools for 28 years in many capacities.  She started as a high needs paraprofessional working with violent and behavioral youth. After several injuries, Gail was placed in the school district office. She had office experience, and they needed someone to take over accounts payable and office management. Loving anything to do with organizing, this was a great fit for Gail.  Since that time, she has taken on more responsibilities, including Grants Management for the district.  This task involves two of her favorite things, writing and meeting deadlines.

Karen Borchert is the founder and CEO of Alpaca, a company with a mission to make it easier to support teachers. Karen has her teaching degree in education, but most of her career is as an entrepreneur, helping to grow high trust, highly aligned teams.   Alpaca believes that asking teachers more about what they need, acting on those sentiments, and creating a way to show gratitude could change the way teachers feel about work.   Today, Alpaca supports thousands of teachers. Their unique model of semantic pulse surveys, and turn-key teacher recognition programs offers a new way to support educators.

Anne Brandt is the Executive Director of Lincoln Littles, where she works to expand access to affordable, high-quality early care and education for children from birth to age five. She brings 18 years of experience with Lincoln Public Schools to her role and is deeply committed to ensuring children enter kindergarten ready to thrive. A lifelong Lincoln resident, Anne is passionate about strengthening her community and supporting its youngest learners

Taylor Brase is the Director of the Early Childhood Education program at Central Community College. She has over 13 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education, including 10 years as an early elementary teacher and Title I interventionist across multiple school districts. Her work focuses on early quality care and education, teacher preparation, and practicum-based learning. Taylor Brase is passionate about equitable access to high-quality early childhood education, with an emphasis on classroom-ready teacher preparation, early literacy, and workforce development through authentic practicum experiences and community collaboration.

Miranda serves as a Human Sciences and Education Career Field Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education. In this role, she supports standards implementation for high school Education and Training programs, professional learning, instructional resources, and Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). She holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and an Education Specialist degree from Doane University.

Steph Burge, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Kearney Division, and a practicing family nurse practitioner. Her educator role includes an academic practice component, providing clinical services to the people of Ravenna in collaboration with the FQHC Heartland Health Center. With a background in rural primary care, her work focuses on preparing nursing students to engage in population health, community partnerships, and health promotion. She emphasizes data-informed decision-making and meaningful community engagement to support a responsive nursing workforce.

Carol Burk, MsEd, is an Early Childhood Education Specialist in the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) at the Nebraska Department of Education. Through the OEC, Carol supports school district operated early childhood programs through technical assistance, assessment, observation support and professional development.  Prior to joining the Department, Carol was an early childhood educator and continues to bring her expertise and passion to teaching at the University level.

Kim Burry is a dedicated community leader from Bayard with a strong commitment to supporting children and families in rural communities. She has served on the Bayard Board of Education for 14 years and is an active member of the Bayard Communities for Kids (C4K) Core Team. Kim is passionate about problem-solving, collaboration, and finding practical solutions to strengthen local systems, including childcare. She values community involvement and works to create opportunities that support families and promote long-term community vitality.

Hello, my name is Hannah Carlson. I am currently Keith County's C4K coordinator. In addition to that I am also an EDN service coordinator. My passion is Early childhood. I have been in early childhood for about 12 years now.

Maryann is the owner and director of Mini's house. Before moving to Nebraska and opening Mini's house, she worked in Colorado at the Godard school for many years. Maryann has her bachelor in early childhood education.

Mitch joined the First Five Nebraska policy team in November 2022. Prior to joining First Five Nebraska, Mitch worked for eight years at the Nebraska Legislature as a legislative staffer. During his time at the Legislature, he worked on public policy relating to state and federal funding, economic and workforce development, mental and behavioral health and early childhood education. Prior to his time at the Legislature, he volunteered for various political campaigns at the state and local level and worked in business.

Alexandra Daro is the Buffett Institute's director of applied research. As co-principal investigator of the statewide Needs Assessment, her role largely focuses on efforts related to understanding gaps and barriers for families accessing and for child care providers delivering quality, accessible early care and education in Nebraska. She also works on the Nebraska Child Care Market Rate Survey, learning what licensed child care providers across the state charge for care. This work is directly tied to the Department of Health and Human Services' child care subsidy program, which supports access to quality early care and education for families with lower incomes.

Alexandra Dillon directs professional development for early childhood educators through management of the Central Region Early Learning Connection grant.  Her work includes the identification and funding of early childhood content experts for professional development experiences.  She also advocates for early childhood professionals through participation on planning region teams, preschool advisory boards, Communities for Kids committees, Rooted in Relationships committees and as a member of the Nebraska Head Start Advisory Board.   In previous work Alexandra partnered with organizations such as Southwest Airlines, The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and Cessna Aircraft, to align company vision and values with human resource systems and practices.  She received her BS in Journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a master’s in social work.

Ken Dobbs serves as the Director of Development and Partnerships for the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, where he works to build meaningful relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners who share a passion for improving the lives of children. With more than 20 years of experience in fundraising and philanthropic relationship development, Ken believes the most meaningful impact happens when organizations and donors work collaboratively around shared values and a common purpose. By connecting generous partners with the Foundation's mission, he helps expand opportunities for children to learn, grow, and develop lifelong connections with the natural world. His approach is rooted in trust, authentic relationships, and the belief that together we can create lasting change for children, educators, and communities.

Emily Dutter is the Executive Director of the Montessori School for Young Children, where she has dedicated 18 years to nurturing and leading the community. Prior to her current role, Emily contributed as a member of the Board of Directors and was a highly involved parent volunteer. All three of her children are proud graduates of MSYC, reflecting her deep-rooted connection to the school.

Emily holds a degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she cultivated her passion for non-profit organizations and leadership. Her leadership is characterized by a blend of experience, community spirit, and a genuine love for the holistic development of children.

As an owner at Wilkins ADP, Kali has been developing her career at Wilkins ADP since 2003. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge when it comes to design solutions, particularly in early childhood care and education market. With a lengthy background in Interior Design and Project Management, Kali is an ambitious leader who uses her collaborative approach towards design to translate her client's vision into functional and quality spaces.

Elizabeth Everett serves as Vice President of Early Futures Partnership, leading the organization's federal and state policy agenda. Shea has spearheaded successful efforts to advance early childhood legislation that strengthens families and supports child care providers. She is as BA from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from George Washington University and was a 2024 Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute.

Mike joined First Five Nebraska in 2019, where he focuses on connecting early childhood policy and economic development.  As the former Mayor of St. Paul and city council member and longtime economic development director, he brings practical policy experience, cross-sector leadership, and statewide engegment to FFN's work.

Kara Ficke serves as Senior Director of Impact and Engagement for Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. She leads a dynamic team focused on communications and cultivating partnerships. Born and raised in Lincoln, Kara has devoted nearly 20 years to working locally, nationally, and internationally with organizations to build community and impact change. She believes that quality early childhood care and education and daily connection to nature has an incredible impact on children, families, educators, and communities and is passionate about building support and engagement across Nebraska and beyond.

Alan is in his 36th year of education (8 as teacher/coach, 10 as Principal/AD. and 18 as Superintendent). Those experiences have been in the communities of Taylor, NE (Loup County Public S.D.), Madrid, NE (Wheatland Public S.D.), Culbertson, NE (Hitchcock County U.S.D.), Curtis, NE (Medicine Valley Public S.D.) and Benkelman, NE (Dundy County Stratton Public S.D.). This is his third year as Superintendent of the Dundy County Stratton district.

Mary Girard is the Project Coordinator for the KNEW Project. She is a Registered Nurse whose career span has offered many opportunities. Mary most recently taught at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing in Kearney before joining the KNEW Team. She grew up in rural Nebraska and has great appreciation of the uniqueness that rural communities offer in both healthcare and the field of early childhood.

Jodi-Renee (JR) Giron is a community organizer and advocate with over 25 years of experience, rooted in her own historically excluded community. An expert in grassroots organizing, she has mobilized communities to achieve policy victories across diverse political landscapes and speaks regularly at local and national events. JR believes in the power of coordinated, engaged communities to shape their own futures. After decades working in gang diversion, prisoner re-entry, and equitable education access, she joined First Five Nebraska in 2021, leading the Policy Leadership Academy. She also provides hands-on training and coaching through her Grassroots Alchemy Lab.

Chelsey Greene is a workforce and education leader dedicated to strengthening pathways into the early childhood and education professions. Through her work supporting Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) in Nebraska, she has extensive experience developing leadership programs, coordinating statewide initiatives, and building partnerships that support students from classroom learning to community impact. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of educators and early care professionals while helping communities grow a strong, sustainable workforce that supports children and families.

Miriam is an Early Childhood Education professional with 24 years of experience in the holistic development of young children. For 19 years, I was part of Lexington Public Schools, where I gained extensive experience in early curriculum, social-emotional development, and educational practices based on quality standards. I hold an Early Childhood Coach Training certification from Nebraska. In 2021, I founded Blooming Daycare, an institution focused on providing a safe, structured, and stimulating environment. My professional approach is based on recognizing the unique potential of each child and promoting their progressive development according to their developmental stage.

Shannon is an early childhood educator with over 19 years of experience and the owner of Wild Child Daycare. She is a passionate advocate for outdoor play and frequently engages with policymakers at the State Capitol. Shannon is a Parent Ambassador alum and a graduate of the Policy Leadership Academy, continually seeking to grow in her profession. As a member of Home Grown's Provider Policy Work Group, she has contributed to efforts supporting child care providers and strengthening the early childhood system. Her work centers on following children's interests, building community connections, and making learning visible.

Tierra Harper, IMH-EA, is the Director of Child Care Business Solutions at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, where she works to expand sustainable, affordable, high-quality child care so children and families can thrive. Tierra collaborates with educators, providers, and community leaders across Nebraska to address real-world challenges facing early childhood programs, with particular attention to historically under-resourced communities. Her passion centers Black maternal health, infant and early childhood mental health, and strengthening the well-being of the early childhood workforce. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences from the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Allison is the Director of Talent Development at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, helping Lincoln grow through talent attraction, development, and retention strategies. Put simply, Allison helps people connect with opportunity and employers connect with a talent pipeline. Allison oversees several programs and initiatives including the Family-Friendly Workplace Certification.

Marcia Herring began her service to public education as a school board member for District 145, Waverly, where she served three terms. During her tenure on the local board, she was elected by her peers to the NASB Board of Directors, completing three terms in that role as well. Her commitment to education leadership and governance led her to begin working as a superintendent search consultant with NASB in 1997.

Marcia transitioned from volunteer service to a professional leadership role in 2004 when she was appointed NASB’s Director of Superintendent Search Services. This position broadened her opportunities to support and collaborate with school board members and superintendents across Nebraska. Her years of experience in search services and governance support positioned her to expand her work further when she accepted the role of Director of Board Leadership in 2013, a position she continues to hold today.

Marcia is honored to serve as a member of the NASB staff, providing leadership development and governance support to board members, boards, and superintendents. She is deeply committed to helping boards lead with purpose focusing on effective leadership, continuous improvement, and advancing student success.

Julia Jackson is a strategic communications and marketing leader with over a decade of experience across nonprofit, media, and technology‑focused organizations. She currently serves as Director of Strategic Communications at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, where she leads the organization’s comprehensive communications strategy to advance statewide early childhood initiatives. Julia brings deep expertise in digital marketing, storytelling, and integrated communications. Previously, she served as Director of Marketing at Decision Logic, a restaurant management software company, where she led a full company rebrand, launched and produced a podcast, and managed lead generation campaigns as a team of one. Her career began in journalism and digital media at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she earned a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications and served as the first ever Assistant Engagement Editor for The Daily Nebraskan. Known for blending strategic vision with hands‑on execution, Julia helps organizations tell clear, compelling stories that drive impact.

Dr. Johnson is an Associate Professor and the Director of Education and Child Development for Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her evaluation and research focus on early childhood systems, Prek-12 student outcomes, after school programs, two-generation programs, and social emotional learning.  She has been the principal investigator for several evaluation projects nationally, statewide, and locally. Dr. Johnson holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership in addition to an Ed.S. in School Psychology, both from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

Denita Julius is a passionate early childhood educator who has owned Little Sprouts Childcare for over 22 years. Recognizing the importance of early development, she committed to ongoing education and quality improvement. Partnering with Sixpence Child Care Partnership for six years, Denita earned her CDA, achieved Step 5 in Nebraska's Step Up to Quality, and completed an interdisciplinary bachelors in Early Childhood Education in 2022 through the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. In June 2023 she joined Educational Service Unit 13 as a coach, supporting Panhandle providers, while continuing to operate Little Sprouts. Her work focuses on advocacy, mentorship, and elevating the profession.

Philip Lai, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. His research focuses on language, executive function, and cognition in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He earned a B.S. in Cognitive Science from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and a M.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University (SDSU). In 2015, he received his Ph.D. from the joint SDSU/UCSD program in Language and Communicative Disorders. He previously completed postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison on parent/child interactions in toddlers with ASD.

Elijah has been in leadership for more than 2 decades. He launched Rising Tide Leadership Development in 2020. His wife Sarah joined the business in 2024 and they provide workshops and conference sessions on leadership, team building, organizational health, brain development, and childcare throughout Nebraska. Elijah and Sarah continue to add new resources to their leadership toolbox, providing increasing value to individuals, leaders, organizations, and communities. The most recent addition is Elijaha's certification as an AQai (Adaptability Quotient) Level 1 practitioner. Together, Elijah and Sarah are Creating Leaders Who Light the Way.

Alexis Marquez is the owner of Lexie's Little Sunshines In-Home Childcare LLC in Grand Island, Nebraska. She is a dedicated childcare provider, mentor, and Sixpence coach who is passionate about supporting young children, families, and fellow providers. Alexis holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and will complete her associate degree in early childhood education in December. As a wife and mom of one, she brings both professional experience and personal insight to her work, creating nurturing, engaging environments that promote creativity, social-emotional growth, and early learning while mentoring other providers in the field.

Maricela Novoa is an Early Learning Connection Bilingual Specialist who supports early childhood providers, families, and systems across Nebraska. She focuses on strengthening language access, building culturally responsive professional development, and supporting Spanish speaking providers through system alignment and relationship centered approaches. Maricela's work centers on equity, workforce development, and improving access to learning opportunities for families and children. She is especially interested in using innovative tools, including AI technology, to reduce language barriers and increase accessibility in early childhood systems.

Erin Fogarty Owen is a strategic communications advisor and the president of Clarity Channels Communications, where she works with mission-driven organizations to bring clarity, alignment, and discipline to how they communicate. In 2024, she launched The EO Report, a weekly newsletter focused on strategic communications. 

Her work draws on a unique combination of experience across higher education, national news, and government, shaping how she helps organizations define their narrative, strengthen their brand foundations, and build communications strategies that support short and long-term goals. She has taught business writing at the college level, reinforcing her focus on clear, effective communication. 

At the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), Owen served in senior communications leadership roles, including founding Executive Director of the Office of University Communications and Assistant to the Chancellor for Communications. She was honored by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents for meritorious service and inducted into Phi Kappa Phi for her commitment to higher education. Her work, alongside her teams, has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, the American Marketing Association, and the American Advertising Federation. 

Earlier in her career, Owen worked on Tim Russert’s producing team at NBC News’ Meet the Press, where she contributed to coverage of major national and global events, including presidential elections, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the capture of Saddam Hussein. She was part of the team recognized with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. 

Owen began her career in public service at the United States Senate, serving on Senator Bob Kerrey’s staff in Washington, D.C., where she advanced into communications leadership roles and helped lead national political and media initiatives. 

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, she has served on multiple community boards, including Duchesne Academy and Project Harmony, where she chaired both organizations. She holds a B.S. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Kansas and an MFA in Writing from UNO.

Avary Pansing Brooks is a Board Leadership Engagement Associate and primarily works in NASB's Student Success Collaborative, Strategic Planning, and Community Engagement services. With a strong background in policy, nonprofits, and community development, Avary is heartfelt about advancing educational opportunities and advocating for programs and services that empower learners through improved access to quality education.

Jill Primak is a landscape architect and Senior Outdoor Classroom Designer with Dimensions Educational Research Foundation's Nature Explore Program. With degrees in horticulture and landscape architecture from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and The Ohio State University, she brings over 20 years of experience designing outdoor environments for children. Jill is passionate about creating nature-rich spaces that support learning, well-being, and a lifelong connection to the natural world.

Dr. Raikes is Willa Cather Emeritus Professor of Child, Youth and Family Studies, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for Zero to Three and a former Nebraska Children and Families and Sixpence Board Member.  She is co-Chair of the Ashland-Greenwood Area Communities for Kids.

Abbie Raikes, PhD., MPH, is a professor at the College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Director, Center for Global Health and Development.  She also is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ECD Measure.  Dr. Raikes' recent work has focused on improving early childhood development for children in vulnerable settings.  Previously Abbie held roles at the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) in Paris and the Gates Foundation.  Abbie has served on several boards, including the Omaha Children's Museum, Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Creighton Preparatory School, and ChildFund International.

Elliot Regenstein is a Chicago-based partner at Foresight Law + Policy. Elliot has extensive experience in state-level policy and advocacy, with a focus on early learning; he has consulted with more than two dozen states on a variety of education policy topics.  Much of his work focuses on how decision-making occurs in state education and early education systems: who is responsible for which decisions, what information supports those decisions, and what incentives are acting on key stakeholders. He is a frequent author and speaker on topics including accountability, governance, state data systems, and the connections between early learning and K-12.

Deb Reiman is the Vice President of Early Childhood at the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, where she leads the statewide Sixpence Child Care Partnership initiative. With over 32 years of experience, she is committed to strengthening systems that support infants, toddlers, families, and the professionals who serve them. Her work focuses on building community partnerships, increasing the quality and sustainability of care, and advancing solutions that support Nebraska's workforce and economy. Grounded in both her professional and personal experiences as a mother and grandmother, Deb is passionate about helping every child thrive from the very beginning.

Brady Rhodes brings three decades of experience as an educator, facilitator, and community organizer specializing in cross-sector collaboration. For 15 years he co-directed BoldLeaders, an international education consortium engaging thousands of young people and educators in civic leadership across 20+ countries. He currently serves as Collaborative Coordinator for the Community Impact Network, facilitating and coordinating cross-sector partnerships across four Nebraska counties. Brady is also the author of Being Whole, Together: A Framework for Creating Socially Restorative Environments,  currently under consideration for publication.

Emily is a Program Manager on the Early Childhood Success team at NLC. Before joining NLC, she led early childhood initiatives across her community in South Bend, Indiana, serving as the leader of an early childhood coalition. Emily has held various roles in early childhood, including as an infant/ toddler teacher and program director serving families experiencing homelessness. She is driven to create equitable, efficient systems and build capacity at all levels of leadership. Emily is energized by collaborative work and is passionate about fostering an authentic sense of community wherever she goes.

Megan Schmidt graduated from Doane College in 2002 with a double major in elementary education and special education. Schmidt completed her Masters in Educational Leadership from Doane College in 2007. Schmidt has taught for Bennington Public Schools, Millard Public Schools, and Kearney Public Schools. She has been a principal at the elementary and early childhood level. Currently she serves as the principal for the preschool at Kearney Public and supervises three additional Sixpence early childhood programs.

Amy Schmidtke is director of educational practice at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and project lead for the Superintendents Early Childhood Plan. She leads systems initiatives that strengthen early learning from birth through Grade 3 by integrating applied research, instructional practice, and family engagement. With nearly three decades of experience as an educator, coach, and leader, Schmidtke has worked extensively with public schools and higher education. She is an author and national presenter focused on early learning systems, family partnerships, and the School as Hub approach.

Suzanne Schneider is the Associate Director of Lincoln Littles with over 30 years of experience in early childhood administration. She has made a lasting impact on children, families, and providers, including leading Nebraska’s first Step 5 rating in the Step Up to Quality system and supporting programs through NAEYC Accreditation. Suzanne serves as a Step Up to Quality coach and a Professional Development Specialist with the Council for Professional Recognition, and has developed initiatives such as peer mentoring, provider collaboration, business supports, and emergency response efforts.

Kay is Lead Workforce Development Specialist at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative. She serves as instructor and manages the work of the CDA Credential courses, as well as the All Our Kin Business Series courses. She also creates and delivers trainings on a variety of early childhood topics. She has a master's degree in early childhood from Concordia University. Kay has been at NECC for five years and before that served as early childhood director and teacher for over 15 years in a variety of settings.

Kate Sutton is a senior research specialist at the Buffett Institute. She joined the Institute in 2019 as a research specialist. Her work focuses on the design and analysis of research projects at the Institute, with a particular emphasis on qualitative methods.

Prior to joining the Institute, she spent five years at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, where she worked on research and evaluation efforts, including the evaluation of nutrition and obesity prevention programs. Sutton received a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master of Public Health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Kendra Taylor is the Executive Director of Thayer Kids Academy in Hebron, Nebraska. After transitioning the center from a private entity to a community-led 501(c)(3) in 2025, she became a fierce advocate for rural childcare sustainability. A local business owner and mother of two, Kendra navigates the raw truth of the industry, balancing the impossible math of operations with a relentless drive for community-led solutions. From managing high-energy fundraisers to securing vital grants, she is dedicated to proving that when we love our communities out loud, we can build a future where rural childcare thrives.

Dr. Paula Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Teacher Education Department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). She has more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including 20 years with Head Start in teaching and administrative roles. Her work focuses on early childhood inclusive education, with research interests in workforce development and well being, family engagement, and early STEM. Dr. Thompson values service and is active at the local, state, and regional levels, serving on several boards and advisory committees.

Originally from central Missouri, Chris Triebsch has worked in communications and public policy in Nebraska for more than 25 years. 

Prior to becoming Communications Manager at First Five Nebraska in 2025, Chris served as chief communications officer for the City of Lincoln, managing all city communications and overseeing a staff of eight. Before that, Chris worked for several elected officials and two nonprofits, as well as the Nebraska Department of Labor. He is passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives, not only at First Five Nebraska, but also as a member of the Board of Directors at HopeSpoke and through his membership at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln.   

Chris earned a B.S. in journalism from Northwest Missouri State University. Outside of work, he is an avid reader, with a special interest in history and literature.

Samantha Wehenkel is a dedicated educational leader with over 21 years at Auburn Public Schools, serving as a resource and preschool teacher, Early Childhood Elementary Special Education Coordinator, and now Director of Instruction and Curriculum. She holds degrees from Peru State College, Doane University, and Wayne State College. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, trust, and empowering others. Samantha is passionate about fostering high-quality education and inspiring others to believe in themselves, knowing that belief is the foundation for achieving goals and dreaming bigger.

 Rachel Wessler is a Senior Program Specialist on the Early Childhood Success team at the National League of Cities. Prior to joining NLC, Rachel was a Policy Analyst for Child Care Aware of America, focusing predominantly on state implementation of the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Her interest in early childhood systems began while providing direct services in a variety of teaching, coaching, and administrative roles. Rachel holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Transformation with a concentration in Advocacy & Policy from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Political Science with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Delaware. She is originally from Washington, DC but even after all these years she is still blown away by all of the incredible things the city has to offer. During non-work hours, Rachel can be found starting (and sometimes even finishing) a craft or continuing her relentless search for the best pastry in the area. 

Chantelle Wilke is a devoted early childhood educator and proud mom of four, living in Peru, Nebraska, with her husband, Eric. She earned her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney but found her true passion in early childhood learning, completing her Early Childhood degree at Peru State College. Chantelle has taught in faith-based preschools and Head Start programs and now runs her own preschool, Little Learners Preschool. She also enjoys mentoring young leaders as an Early Learning Guidelines trainer and advisor for Nemaha County Leadership,

I am an energetic civil engineer and project advocate with over 23 years of experience leading community-focused projects across the Omaha metropolitan area and surrounding communities. My work spans the design and development of parks, athletic facilities, playgrounds, and green spaces, each shaped by a deep commitment to community-centric design that reflects the unique identity of every community. I have led and completed over 370 education, outdoor play & accessibility, and athletic-focused projects across Nebraska and Iowa, with a reputation for high quality results that led to long-term & trusted partnerships.