angie@nebraskatable.org

Angie has 15 years of experience in nonprofit administration, communications, media relations and crisis response, grassroots advocacy, and fundraising. She believes deeply in helping communities build power to affect systemic change through organizing, leadership development, and collaboration. Angie also serves on the board of directors for Survivors Rising and Earth Day Omaha.

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.

bill@nebraskatable.org

Bill is a recent graduate of Carleton College with degrees in biology and history. He has experience working on local and congressional campaigns, as well as with advocacy organizations during his time in Minnesota. He is passionate about pushing for grassroots change in Nebraska. Outside of work, Bill enjoys reading history, playing bad chess, and cooking improvised Chinese food.

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 Masters in Marketing and has always been an avid learner. She has several years of experience as an Administrative Assistant and has a passion for helping others. When she is not working, Chelsea can be found spending time with her dog Ernie and cat Stevie or thinking about what to plant next in her yard.

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.

karina@nebraskatable.org

Karina is driven by the belief that every voice matters, and wants to increase voter participation in Nebraska by informing and engaging underrepresented communities to participate in the electoral process. Karina started her work at the Table as a bilingual canvasser and now aspires to implement voter registration programs across Nebraska. When she’s not at work, you can find Karina kayaking or listening to true-crime podcasts.

kimara@nebraskatable.org

Kimara has 12 years of experience in strategic communication planning and has been active in the North and South Omaha communities since she was 12 years old. She believes collaboration creates change and results in improved outcomes for peoples' lives. When she is not working with the Table, she serves as Youth Specialist with the Omaha Public Library, President of her neighborhood association and serves on several boards.

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.

melissa@nebraskatable.org

Melissa’s work in the Omaha nonprofit and political sectors has spanned communications, research, and volunteer management. Prior to this work, she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia; and before that, a newspaper reporter and editor. She earned her MPA from UNO and her bachelor’s in digital media from Northwest Missouri State University. In her free time, Melissa dedicates herself to volunteering, traveling, and playing in the forest.

MJ is a sophomore at UNO double majoring in Journalism and Media Communication and Black Studies. Outside of school, they enjoy writing, playing guitar, and working on photography. Through this internship, they're excited to learn about different Table members and how they engage with voters. They also look forward to building their civic engagement and applying that to journalism.

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 few years working with non-profits and political campaigns. In her spare time, Sandy enjoys any television show written by Mike Schur and trying to keep her cat out of trouble.

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.

Woods Charitable Fund

Kathy has worked at WCF since 2012 and handles program review, grants management and public relations.
Before joining WCF, Kathy worked at the Lincoln Journal Star in several editing roles beginning in 2005. She also has worked in public relations for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has been an editor at newspapers in Iowa, California and Nevada. She has volunteered with several local nonprofit organizations in varying roles since 2001. She received a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.


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.

Weitz Family Foundation

After graduating from Carleton College with a BA in Political Science, Katie moved to Chicago and became a middle school teacher earning a M.Ed. from DePaul University.  She soon learned that the issues inside education were much broader than what happened in the classroom and returned to academia achieving a PhD in Human Development and Social Policy.  Katie moved home to Omaha for a dream job at The Sherwood Foundation and spent six years there growing as a professional and as a person.  Taking what she learned there, she has now turned her focus to her own family’s foundation and is currently the executive director. 

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.