Leadership Omaha, one of the nation’s longest-running communi­ty leadership programs, has gradu­ated its latest “best class ever” – a diverse group of 47 men and wom­en who are ready to strengthen and transform the Omaha community.

Over the course of 10 months, the members of Class 41 learned about challenges and opportunities in the Omaha area, visited multiple organizations and heard from vari­ous business and community lead­ers, educators, and political figures to better understand the work that needs to be done to positively im­pact the region. Small group proj­ects let members begin translating those insights into action.

“I’m honored to have been part of the journey these individuals have gone through to become ac­tive community leaders. Their graduation is a time to reflect on what they learned these past 10 months, and it represents a launch­ing pad for them to further engage in our community. I have no doubt these leaders will have lasting posi­tive change in the greater Omaha area and beyond,” Liz Kerrigan, leadership strategist at the Greater Omaha Chamber, said in a release.

Class 41’s graduation was held on Thursday, June 6, at The Venue at Highlander, 2120 N 30th St. The 47 members now join a network of about 1700 Leadership Omaha alumni.

The graduates of Leadership Omaha Class 41 are: Arun Agarwal, White Lotus Group; Luper Akough, Clout Logistics; Matt Alvarado, Kiewit Building Group Inc.; Alex Bakke, Nebraska Medicine;Jeremy Bouman, RISE; Kayleigh Bradley-Vogt, Greater Omaha Chamber; Jim Brannen, Union Pacific Railroad; Bridget Bumgardner, Boyd Jones; Michael Crabb, Tenaska; Laura Essay, Dvorak Law Group LLC; Donna Faust Aman, Outlook Nebraska; Erin Froschheiser, LEO A DALY; Tammy Green, Metropolitan Community College; Kerry Heinrich, WoodmenLife; Sheena Helgenberger, Live Well Omaha; Blake Hoogeveen, MindSet LLC; Sheri Howard, Physicians Mutual; Jeff Huether, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska; Megan Jarosz, Holland Basham Architects; Christina Kahler, First National Bank; Brian Koenig, Koley Jessen PC LLO; Angela Lennon, Koenig | Dunne PC LLO; Ryan Loneman, Lindsay Corp.; Tim McAreavey, Omaha Public Power District; Lauren Miller, Omaha World-Herald; Christian Minter, University of Nebraska Medical Center; Dominique Morgan, Black and Pink Inc.; Kelly Nielsen, CHI Health; Autumn Noble, McGrath North; Kara O’Connor, Farm Bureau Financial Services; Beth Pantano, Renaissance Financial; Ben Reynolds, Sheppard’s Business Interiors; Eva Roberts, Buffett Early Childhood Fund; Angela Roeber, Project Harmony; Gale Sayers-Proby, Prairie Flower Casino; John Steier, Great Western Bank; Jill Stigge, Kutak Rock LLP; Shane Sullivan, Sully LLC; Sherie Thomas, Omaha Police Department; Ashley Turner, Borsheims Fine Jewelry & Gifts; Tim Waggoner, Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.; Richard Webb, 100 Black Men of Omaha; Mary Wells, DVG Realty; John Wiechmann, Midwest Housing Equity Group Inc.; Ann Williams, HDR; Debora Wisneski, University of Nebraska Omaha; and Joey Wolfe, The Hope Center for Kids.

The application window for Class 42 has closed. Applications for Class 43 will be available in early 2020. Class members are cho­sen based on community involve­ment and career advancement.

– Greater Omaha Chamber