angie@nebraskatable.org

Over nearly two decades, Angie has served in a variety of roles in the nonprofit community, including organizational management, leadership development, operations, communications & crisis management, strategic planning, finance, and fundraising, specifically within movement-building organizations focused on civil and human rights, public policy advocacy and racial equity. She is a 2005 graduate of Grand Valley State University, and she would love to have you over for dinner.

aracely@nebraskatable.org

Aracely has 5+ years of experience in Human Resources and administrative management. She was born in California, but has lived in Nebraska since age 12 and has made it her home. She loves playing volleyball and jet-skiing, and is a proud mom to 4 dogs that keep her very busy! Aracely is a fluent Spanish speaker.

arlo@nebraskatable.org

Arlo recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Carleton College. Arlo comes to the Table after working on a variety of political campaigns in Minnesota and his home state of Iowa. He is excited to join the team at the Table and work to build a more equitable Nebraska. In his free time, Arlo enjoys cooking, walking, and watching bad reality television.

chelsea@nebraskatable.org

Chelsea was born and raised in San Francisco and Chicago before moving to Omaha. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences and a Master's in Marketing and considers herself a lifelong student. She has several years of administrative experience and has a passion for helping others. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her dog Ernie and cat Stevie as well as watching and analyzing reality TV.

Corrie is a 2L at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law and serves on the Pro Bono Committee, is the Vice President of the Women's Law Caucus, and proudly won Team Jeopardy in the Robert Van Pelt Inns of Court. She enjoys "building the plane as we fly it" in terms of the Law Clerk role, and has enjoyed nurturing her growing passion for nonprofit work in her position at the Table. In her free time, you can find her practicing yoga, finding the best homemade gluten-free bread recipe, or tending to one of her countless houseplants.

derek@nebraskatable.org

Derek was born in Los Angeles and grew up in South Omaha, where he studied Management Information Systems at UNO. He has nearly 4 years of experience doing data work in the nonprofit field and is a passionate supporter of social and racial justice. He is excited about using data analysis and visualization to improve efforts to empower the rising electorate and ensure that they have political representation that truly represents them.

guadalupe@nebraskatable.org

Guadalupe is a recent graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor's degree in sociology, Spanish, and Latin American studies. She is a firm believer that compassion and equity belong at the forefront of community building. When she's not at the Table, you can find Guadalupe shopping for plants or trying to figure out a proper serving size for pasta.

kimara@nebraskatable.org

Kimara has 30 years of experience in organizing in the East Omaha community. She believes that no great work is done alone and collaboration is the key to movement building. When she is not working with the Table, she serves as President of the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance, on multiple boards, and supports nonprofits and businesses with stakeholder engagement, insight gathering, and organizational and project design.

meg@nebraskatable.org

Meg brings a wealth of experience in expanding access to health services and growing power across the state through direct and grassroots lobbying, organizing, and electoral programming. She earned degrees from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Juris Doctor from University of Nebraska College of Law. In her off time, she serves on numerous boards and commissions, and enjoys time with family, true crime, and celebrations involving cake.

riley@nebraskatable.org

Riley was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska where he spent most of his life until joining the United States Air Force as an intelligence analyst. Since then, he has spent time working at the Nebraska Department of Labor, the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Nebraska, and the ACLU of Nebraska. Riley holds an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law.

sandy@nebraskatable.org

Sandy was born and raised in Nebraska and has been passionate about how getting involved can change people's lives for as long as she can remember. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a concentration in Government Affairs and Civic Engagement from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and has spent the past five years working with nonprofits and political campaigns. You can probably find her tangled in a web of spreadsheets with a cat in her lap, La Croix in hand, and Taylor Swift on her headphones.

y'shall@nebraskatable.org

Y'Shall was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and has been passionate about making the world a better place than how she found it for as long as she can remember. She spent the majority of her adult life as an independent hip-hop artist. After retiring from the microphone, she enrolled in Metro Community College and graduated with an Associate's Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. Since then, she's served her community by leading relapse prevention groups, organizing GOTV efforts, and in her new role as our Civic Engagement Strategist. Her Golden Rule is "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Zoe is a junior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha majoring in public health and minoring in sustainability. Through her internship, Zoe is excited to learn more about the power of grassroots advocacy and how Nebraskans can collectively make change. Outside of work, Zoe is learning Japanese, watching Drag Race, and playing with her pup, Stella.

You Go Girl

In addition to owning Catapult Consulting Solutions, Rachel also serves as a freelance instructor at the Metro Community College of Omaha. In 2018 she founded You Go Girl, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of self-doubt and low self-esteem in young women and girls by creating a vision for who they can be. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is pursuing a Master’s in Leadership at Oral Roberts University. In 2019, she was named the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals Changemaker, and was a 2020 TOYO Recipient. She was also a top finalist for the Mrs. Nebraska pageant in 2019 and 2020. Rachel also received a Leadership Award from the Leadership Africa Summit in 2019.

Empowering Families

Valeria Rodriguez immigrated from Mexico to Mitchell, NE with her family when she was five years old, in 2000. Valeria holds a B.A. in Spanish and Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is currently pursuing her master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During her time at UNL, she founded the Define American Chapter @ UNL, which was named 2016 Chapter of the Year and in 2017 received the Roots for Justice Award. She then established the Dr. Juan N Franco Legacy Scholarship to help undocumented and DACAmented students pursue their education at UNL. In 2018, she co-founded Empowering Families, a Scottsbluff based nonprofit working to build a stronger and more welcoming community through education, civic participation, and individual empowerment.

YWCA of Lincoln

Karen Bell-Dancy serves as the Executive Director of the YWCA of Lincoln. Bell-Dancy holds an Executive MBA in Management Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Bloch School of Business and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University. She has over 30 years experience that consist mainly of higher education and all levels of work in public schools from elementary to high school. Bell-Dancy is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and has a passion for working and advocating for women, youth and social justice issues. Recently, she received the Nebraska Appleseed Milo Mumgaard Emerging Leader Award for social justice and advocacy work and the Lincoln Journal Star Inspiring Women Non Profit Leadership Award. 

Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School

Shannon Gilroy is the Vice President of Advancement at Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School. In her role, Shannon guides the school’s culture of philanthropy while building strategic programs that foster enthusiasm for charitable giving opportunities. Prior to working at Brownell Talbot, Shannon was the director of marketing and campaign manager at a fundraising consulting firm that specializes in the design and implementation of nonprofit feasibility studies and capital campaigns. Shannon is an Omaha native with a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations from Marquette University and a Master in Organizational Leadership from Creighton University. In addition to her service to NCET, Shannon serves on the Laurizten Gardens Board of Directors and the Maha Festival Board of Directors. 


Nebraska Appleseed

Nic Swiercek serves as the Development & Engagement Sr Director at Nebraska Appleseed, and has managed its fundraising and supporter engagement efforts since 2010. Prior to Appleseed, Nic worked on a number of policy and organizing campaigns for affirmative action, worker health and safety, federal health reform, and LGBT rights. He received a bachelor’s degree with distinction in History and Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007. Nic was one of the founding board members of the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table and served as its Treasurer from 2016-2020. He also serves on the board of Rabble Mill and the Aksarben Curling Association.

Weitz Family Foundation

Robia Qasimyar, MPA, is a Program Associate with the Weitz Family Foundation. Prior to this, she was in student affairs at UNO's College of Engineering, Goodrich Scholarship Program. Robia received her BS in Psychology and MPA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She serves on the Conference Committee for the Afghan-American Community Organization, a national all volunteer-led nonprofit. Robia is very passionate about equitable access to resources and information.

The Wellbeing Partners

Claudia Granillo is the Community Wellbeing Specialist for The Wellbeing Partners. She was part of NCET’s 2019 Organizer School Program where she was placed with Live Well Omaha, now The Wellbeing Partners, as a Community Organizer. Claudia has a Master of Science in Political Science from the University of Nebraska Omaha. As a result of lived experience, Claudia is passionate about health access and equity for all. Claudia is excited to join NCETs board to continue to advocate for change and progress in partnership with NCET’s member organizations, partners, and the Rising American Electorate.

Yolanda Chavez Nuncio is a retired elementary school principal and educator living in Grand Island. She has been an advocate for immigration and justice for all. She was a BIA (Bureau of Immigration Affairs) Accredited representative and worked for various non-profits. She has registered voters for 15 years as well as taught citizenship classes. She has also provided observation at polls and served as a poll worker. She is bilingual/bicultural in Spanish/English. She was appointed to the Nebraska Latino American Commission by 4 different governors, where she served as Chairperson several terms. She also served on the Board of Directors on the Nebraska Association of Farmworkers, the Grand Island YWCA Board of Director's and other organizations. Yolanda has received numerous awards including a lifetime achievement award: “For The Love of Children”, Martin Luther King Legacy Award, Hispanic Woman of the Year and others. Yolanda serves on the Nebraska ACLU board.

League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County

Inonge Kasaji is the president of the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County. An international student, she has been active in the community with a variety of Lincoln organizations since graduating from Union College. She currently studies at Doane University. She is passionate about creating more informed and active participation in our communities.

Nebraska Department of Economic Development

Nebraska CASA Association

Baird Holm LLP