2025 Speaker List
Scott Asmus
Scott has served as Program Director of the SourceLink Nebraska program at the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) since 2020. In this role, he led the development and successful launch of the program, building a statewide resource infrastructure to support Nebraska’s business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Prior to his work with SourceLink Nebraska, Scott designed and implemented specialized workforce training programs tailored to address complex industry needs. His professional background spans the nonprofit sector, behavioral health, and government, with a strong emphasis on both direct service delivery and program development.
Scott draws on this diverse experience to drive innovative, impact-focused initiatives within SourceLink Nebraska. As a member of NBDC at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's College of Business Administration, he remains deeply connected to an organization dedicated to advancing economic growth and supporting the success of Nebraska businesses.
Brenda Aufdenkamp
Brenda Aufdenkamp is a long-standing extension employee serving the 4-H Youth Development program in numerous counties. For the past 6 years, Brenda has served as a Food, Nutrition & Health Educator in North Platte, serving 10 west central Nebraska counties. Brenda focuses on food safety and preservation and loves guiding learners to make healthier decisions through hands-on programming. Brenda and her husband live in North Platte and have 3 grown children.
Travis Barker
Travis Barker is an eCoach for Nebraska Extension and the Founder and CEO of EZ IT Solutions in Broken Bow.
Jentry Barrett
As the Campus Engagement Zone Coordinator, I use principles from community-based participatory research, adult learning theory, and communication science to help facilitate and spur impactful research and initiatives that can “lead to positive changes that are relevant, timely, useful, and embraced by those who are most impacted by those changes” (Hatton-Bowers, 2022). My role in Cooperative Extension allows me to make meaningful connections between community partners and the resources on UNL’s campus. My goal as the Campus Engagement Zone Coordinator is to help increase the engagement of both on-campus researchers in the community, and help build trust with community partners through benevolence, competence, and reliability.
Dena Beck
Dena Beck is a returner to her hometown of Minden, NE. In her current role with 6 Regions, One Nebraska, Beck works with the Central Region to leverage assets and economic resources to create tailored action plans for regional benefit.
Breeanna Benton
Mama of 3 professionally creating work since 2012, I have a bachelors degree in Studio Art from MSU Denver. Relocated to Nebraska in 2022 and loving everything about the small town. I love to create edgy and bold works of art that push boundaries. I have a love for the oddities of life and I always enjoy shining new light to their beauty. I love life’s chaos and I try to embrace that both as an artist and as a mother.
Justine Yeo Bircher
Justine Yeo Bircher is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Leadership Studies. This will be her third degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her professional interests include community leadership development, immigrant integration, and research methodologies. Her personal interests include building LEGO sets with her husband and supporting local businesses.
Becky Boesen
Becky Boesen helps unleash Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) across the Nebraska Community Foundation network. Through her work with talented colleagues and 1,500+ amazing volunteers, she celebrates Nebraska’s diverse talents, and the unique gifts everyone brings to make the state even greater.
Cathy Bowers
I’m Catherine Bowers, Executive Director/Administrator of Republican River Valley Homecare Arapahoe, NE. I grew up in or around Arapahoe most of my life. During my childhood I would spend summers with my grandma and go along with her as she would go into individual’s homes and care for them. During my late elementary, junior high and early high school years I was part of the adopted grandparent program at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Arapahoe, NE. Later I returned to Good Samaritan Nursing Home as a dietary cook. I went on to become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), MA (Medication Aide) at the Elwood Care Center. During my time of work at the Elwood Care Center I also attended Mid-Plains Community College and received my LPN Diploma. I retired from Nursing to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. Throughout those years I also helped care for individuals so they could remain in their homes.
We look forward to increasing knowledge about our Homecare Cooperative and the services that we can provide to individuals to assist them with staying in their homes as long as possible and in their own communities. Some of our goals will be marketing, serving Veterans and Wavier recipients.
Jamie Bright
Jamie Bright is the Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension Educator in the southern panhandle. She uses engagement to make an impact in the areas of community leadership development, people attraction, placemaking, community economic development, and regional food systems.
Shae Caldwell
Shae Caldwell is a serial entrepreneur, community leader, and champion of downtown revitalization. As the owner of five businesses and an active member of 13 community and state boards, she thrives on turning vision into reality. Her passion for entrepreneurship has not only shaped her career but also inspired the next generation—her 17-year-old daughter launched her first business at just 13 years old. Named Woman of Achievement in Business in 2020, Shae brings a wealth of experience in business development, strategic growth, and community engagement. But beyond the boardroom, she and her husband embrace the adventurous side of life—racing gravel on their tandem bicycle, raising bucking bulls for the college rodeo team and recently welcoming a Highlander to their herd. In 2023, life took an unexpected turn with the loss of one of her children, profoundly shifting her perspective on priorities, purpose, and the meaning of success. This experience fuels her commitment to building not just businesses, but thriving, connected communities.
Lisa Citta
Lisa Citta is a Lincoln County entrepreneur, law enforcement officer, and community builder. She owns Snowball Express and Axes & Aces, combining her passion for service and business. Lisa brings unique entertainment experiences to the region, driven by her belief in connection, collaboration, and creating opportunities that strengthen her hometown.
Cassie Condon
Since joining the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corporation in 2018, Cassie Condon has been a driving force behind local economic growth and community development. A lifelong resident of North Platte, she brings deep-rooted hometown pride and a wealth of experience in property management, marketing, business start-ups, and leasing—skills honed during her tenure as Property Manager of Platte River Mall. Cassie’s dedication to her community extends beyond her professional role. As a passionate advocate for local progress, she actively participates in multiple organizations, including the North Platte Noon Rotary Organization, Business & Professional Women of North Platte, The Canteen District Board, and Leadership Nebraska Alumni. Her leadership spans involvement in more than nine other boards and committees, shaping the future of North Platte through service and collaboration. Cassie and her husband, Sean, are raising two energetic sons who keep them on their toes, reinforcing the importance of fostering a thriving community for future generations. Her commitment to North Platte is deeply personal—woven into her family history.
Shaniya DeNaeyer Albertus
Shaniya Albertus is a 4-H/Youth Development Assistant in Blaine, Thomas, Hooker, and Grant counties. Shaniya believes in the importance of community connections and sustainability, she serves on the Thedford Area Foundation board, Sandhills Area Childcare Board, and volunteers for community programs. Caring for and educating youth will always be her passion.
Ben Dutton
Ben Dutton is a career educator and long-time businesses owner. His passion is helping entrepreneurs and existing small business owners grow and prosper. Ben has earned a BSBA, MBA, M.Ed and is a career educator having served as a high school business teacher, principal and superintendent as well as an educator and administrator for Nebraska Extension. Ben owns a small business in residential rehabilitation and management. He is a Gallup Certified Coach and an Accredited Small Business Consultant. Ben also speaks Spanish.
Deb Egenberger
Deb Egenberger is the Executive Director of Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce.
TinaMaria Fernandez
TinaMaria Fernandez is the founder and executive director of HOPE Esperanza, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to bridging service gaps and supporting North Platte families. Honored with the Chamber’s Community Impact Award, she leads with compassion and purpose, creating lasting ripples of change in the community she tirelessly serves.
Lindsay Hastings
Lindsay Hastings is the Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research and Research Director for NHRI Leadership Mentoring at UNL. Dr. Hastings’ research advances scholar and practitioner knowledge in leadership mentoring, community leadership development, and youth leadership, which has received the Dr. Ron Joekel Research Award and the Sage Outstanding Scholar Award.
Chloe Higgins
Chloe Higgins is the Youth Engagement Specialist at Nebraska Community Foundation, where she champions the voices of Greater Nebraska’s greatest asset: Young People. Higgins is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is experienced in community economic development. Though a rural Nebraskan at heart, she currently resides in Lincoln.
Cindy Houlden
Cindy Houlden joined the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center (NCDC) in August 2018. Cindy’s extensive professional background has included working with cooperatives in Nebraska including Kearney Area Ag Producers Alliance (KAAPA) where she was part of a team that put together the business plan, created the outreach plan, and assisted with site selection. In addition, she worked with the Nebraska Turkey Growers to evaluate current plant processes and strategic cooperative goal development. This led to Value-Added Agricultural grant award to hire a market development specialist to coordinate the expansion of turkey production in Nebraska by identifying and supporting new cooperative members.
Since joining NCDC, Cindy has focused on rural economic development and quality life. Cindy also serves as the lead for the Homecare Worker Cooperative pilot project and is a member of the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) Home Care Cooperative Development Steering Committee.
Odee Ingersoll
Odee has over 22 years of experience serving small businesses throughout Nebraska. Clients include all phases of business planning and operations, from start-up planning and launch through growth and expansion, and on to exit and succession planning. He is also an experienced business owner and has training in financial forensics. He has worked on projects valued up to $260 million. He is a credentialed business valuation analyst and exit planning advisor. He has completed over 500 valuation engagements and is recognized as an expert in business valuation.
Molly Jeffres
Ogallala native Molly Jeffres works for Keith County Area Development (KCAD) as Community Development Coordinator. Known for her dedication to fostering growth and collaboration, Molly works to enhance economic opportunities, support entrepreneurism and strengthen community connections throughout Keith County.
Allison Jonas
Dr. Allison Jonas, superintendent of Gothenburg Public Schools, is dedicated to fostering collaboration within and beyond the school, data-driven action, and teacher empowerment. She believes in removing barriers to success and leading from behind. A passionate leader, she views leadership as a journey of service.
Alisha Juelfs
Alisha Juelfs of Potter, Nebraska shares insight to becoming an impactful resource for local entrepreneurs and small businesses through collaboration with local and statewide resources to create a robust network of opportunities.
Shawn Kaskie
My mission is to empower positive community development and organizational change using skills as a leadership facilitator, coach, educator, and researcher. I am passionate about leveraging University and partner resources to help communities, businesses, and stakeholders achieve their visions.
Mayor Brandon Kelliher
Brandon A. Kelliher, a native of North Platte, Nebraska, has been serving as the city's mayor since December 2020. He studied Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and later pursued further education at the University of Phoenix. After completing his studies, Kelliher embarked on an entrepreneurial venture in his hometown, demonstrating his commitment to local economic development.
Concurrent to his mayoral tenure, Kelliher holds the position of Chief Information Officer at Great Plains Health. He is a past member of the North Platte Noon Rotary Club, serving as a board member and past president. In November 2024, Kelliher was re-elected for a second term as mayor, his candidacy emphasized his dedication to continued economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for North Platte residents.
Katelyn Larson
Katelyn Larson, MS, is a statewide Extension Educator with Nebraska Extension in the Rural Prosperity Nebraska program area. With over 15 years of experience in Extension, she has served in various roles, including 4-H Youth Development, and now specializes in data management and resource creation. Katelyn is dedicated to leveraging data-driven insights to support rural communities and enhance decision-making processes.
Doris Lux
Doris Lux is an eCoach for Nebraska Extension. Doris is located in Columbus.
Marla Marx
Marla is a Business Programs Specialist for USDA Rural Development in Scottsbluff. She brings 15 years of Rural Development Experience working with businesses and communities in economic development.
Nick McNew
Nick McNew is a North Platte entrepreneur, city council member, and owner of McNew’s Unlimited, a fast-growing golf car dealership. With deep roots in small business and leadership through the Jaycees, Nick is committed to driving innovation, building community, and creating opportunities that move North Platte forward.
Charlotte Narjes
Charlotte joined NCDC in March 2019 and is a Community Vitality Educator focused on cooperatives. She has been connected with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Ag Economics for over 20 years and is aligned with Extension’s Community Vitality Initiative.
Amy Prior
Amy has been with the NDA since 2020. She currently works in Area 6 covering 11 counties in the SW areas of the State. Inspections cover all retail food establishments including food trucks, c-stores, farmers markets, fairs/festivals, grocery stores and working with new locations to get licensed.
Marilyn Schlake
Marilyn Schlake is an Associate Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Rural Prosperity Nebraska and Department of Agricultural Economics. Her focused areas are business, community and economic development. She has worked with numerous rural communities to enhance citizen engagement and planning that leads to community action.
Bryan Slone
Bryan Slone became president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2018. Previously, he practiced as an accountant and attorney in public and private practice roles in the US and Europe. He has also been a Professor in Residence at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Kimberly Stanke
Dr. Kimberly Stanke is an Extension Assistant Professor focused on youth development and science education. With a background in statistics, she’s passionate about making complex topics—like AI—understandable and useful for all. Kimberly helps communities explore how technology can support learning, creativity, and everyday problem-solving.
Rachael Surmick
Rachael Surmick is a community development advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in the Omaha Branch Office. She has worked in the nonprofit community development sector for over a decade, primarily focused on affordable housing. A Pennsylvania native, Surmick studied history and anthropology as an undergraduate student at Gettysburg College and earned a Master of Public Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Rulon Taylor
Rulon Taylor is Asst. Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Rural Prosperity Nebraska and Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication. He is a bilingual special specialist focused on Nebraska food system development. He received his Bachelor's degree from Chadron State College in Rangeland Management and Master of Applied Science Degree from UNL. He is originally from Curtis, NE.
Jason Tuller
Jason has been working in the economic development field in rural Nebraska for more than a decade. He has worked as a small business consultant and as a rural economic developer. His goal now is to help grow stronger communities in Southeast Nebraska and throughout the state.
Colton Venteicher
Colten C. Venteicher is a partner with Bacon, Vinton & Venteicher, L.L.C., with offices in Gothenburg and North Platte. His legal practice focuses on estate planning, business planning, real estate, and economic development. Colten has assisted local economic development efforts spanning early childhood education, housing, and business recruitment and expansion.
Rebecca Vogt
Rebecca Vogt is the Survey Research Manager for the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. In addition to managing the annual Nebraska Rural Poll, which monitors changes in Nebraska’s rural community life, she has conducted numerous program evaluations, community and statewide surveys, as well as marketing studies.
Eastlyn Wright
Eastlyn Wright, Program Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, has supported Nebraska Farm to School for four years through training, network development, and advisory roles. With over a decade working in sustainable farming and food safety, she is passionate about connecting communities through local food.
Emily Wurl
Emily Wurl loves community, spaces that bring people together and a plan of action. She coordinated a Community-Build Playground effort in North Platte in 2021 which was her most rewarding project. She grew up in NP, attended UNL, worked in marketing in Lincoln and has spent the last decade teaching adjunct at MPCC.
Nate Wyatt
Nate Wyatt, President of the Gothenburg Improvement Company, leads efforts to enhance Gothenburg, Nebraska’s economic vitality. GIC promotes premier industrial sites, infrastructure development, housing, and community growth. Gothenburg fosters partnerships ensuring that municipal and commercial endeavors thrive.