metroMAGAZINE-WCA -2011

metro 11 women’s center for advancement

24th Annual Tribute to Women

wca

Difference

WOMEN MAKING A

Omaha

Online now! at SpiritofOmaha.com

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Chief Executive Officer of WCA Omaha

Natalia Peart

new name

T here’s been a flurry of activity on such weighty matters as constituency buy-in, logo design and communication strategies coupled with the more mundane tasks of ordering new stationery, signage and even t-shirts. But when it came time for the April announcement that the Omaha Chapter of YWCA would officially become known as the Women’s Center for Advancement, it had the aura of the most natural and seamless of transitions.

“That’s because by the time people saw the name change, it was the very last leg of a very thoughtful journey,” explained WCA CEO Dr. Natalia Peart. “It was the logical conclusion of what we have been doing to transform the agency over the last couple years. The name change reflects an evolutionary path that brought us to the reality of who we are, of what we do, of that we have become.”

Along with the name change, the WCA has ended its more than century-long relationship with the national parent organization. a community in transition “We started in 2009,” Peart added, “with some fundamental questions that, I believe, every nonprofit must ask itself about how to best align with the very specific needs of the communities they serve. Our aim as an organization is to be increasingly resonant and relevant in addressing unmet needs.”

An East Coast native who was raised in New York and spent much of her professional career in Washington D.C., Peart also serves on the UNMC Board of Counselors and was recently appointed to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

“Anyone who has known us over the past decade or so, knew that we were first and foremost recognized for the crisis work that we do,” Peart said. “That remains a vital

core of what we do, but we are also so much more,” she said of the organization’s myriad educational, career development, prevention and health programs and services.

“We had many voices involved in the strategy process, here at the agency and in every corner of the city,” she said of a collaborative effort that involved a wide array of staff, clients, stakeholders, funders and community leaders. “After working through how we viewed our place in the community, a revised plan regarding programming and services found us broadening the scope of our reach.”

That reach now includes a newly launched partnership with UNO where the campus works to train staff, faculty and students on intimate partner violence.

The training also provides tools and skills to work with victims and friends affected by intimate partner violence.

Discussions are underway to expand the program to other area colleges and universities. Also new since Peart’s 2008 arrival is a greater emphasis on education and prevention promoting healthy families and healthy relationships through work with elementary schools, secondary schools and adult audiences.

“We’ve moved more into a philosophy that recognizes a continuum approach,” Peart said of the WCA’s expanded vision. “Our ability to help women and families from all walks of life and at every stage of life connect, grow and thrive is more important than ever because the needs of women have evolved.” asking questions Just as the organization’s strategic plan was born of asking questions, the nonprofit that has been an Omaha tradition since 1893 may best be described as a place where questions remain at the very heart of their mission.

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

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E aed V ion by david j. williams

“More than just ‘how can you help me?’” Peart said, “it has become ‘how do you help me and my family in my ability to, in turn, make an impact on my neighbors and the community as a whole?’”

No discussion of the WCA’s motto of “Impacting Women, Transforming Families” would be complete, Peart said, without recognizing central issues of microeconomics at the most “micro” and personal level.

“Whether you’re coming in our doors because you are facing an acute crisis of domestic violence,” she said, “or you are struggling with multi-generational poverty, or you are just trying to get on your feet again after a loss of any kind, they all tie back to critical issues of financial stability.

They are basic questions that, when left unaddressed, find too many women falling into the pattern of stalled progress or a return to situations that are less than desirable or even dangerous.”

So Peart and her team are probably due for a welldeserved breather? Not just yet.

“We’ve been in this community for 118 years and stand on the shoulders of many women who came before us,” she said. “That’s a big responsibility and there is always big work to do.”

Michael McLarney, CEO of United Way of the Midlands, agreed.

“The WCA has provided strong community leadership on the matter of domestic violence for many years,” McLarney said, “and has improved many lives in the process.” time, talent and treasure Natalia Peart now has a new business card, but a scrap of paper has never meant much of anything in this town. Results are what matter.

“This community, this city of Omaha, rallies around major issues like none other I’ve seen,” she said. “When we all pitch in time, talent and treasure, even what some consider the most intractable of problems become within our reach to solve.” m

Congratulations!

Congr atulations!

Immanuel pays tribute to Ruth Henrichs for making her life’s work her passion.

We salute Ruth for her servant leadership.

Immanuel is honored to have Ruth as a member of our board of directors.

Ruth Henrichs

Trite to Women

24th Annual

H

Mary A. Balluff, M.S., R.D, L.M.N.T.

Stephanie Ahlschwede

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s a mentor to dozens of women from all walks of life, her guiding principle is that “women must support, trust and help develop other women as leaders so we can change the world together.”

As Executive Director of United Methodist Ministries– Missouri River District, Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede provides oversight and direct management of numerous outreach programs addressing such issues as poverty, hunger and racism.

Rev. Ahlschwede has advised several congregation-based nonprofits, including two she founded: the “Blue Flamingo Thrift Store” and “The Big Garden” community garden program. The latter has created 32 community gardens in east Omaha to provide nutritious fruits and vegetables to lowincome families while teaching neighborhood women and youth about health nutrition, horticulture, responsibility, patience and persistence. Under the leadership of Rev. Ahlschwede, “The Big Garden” program is collaborating with other agencies in metropolitan Omaha working on hungerrelated programs. A second initiative, “The Big Rural Garden,” extends the project throughout Southeast Nebraska.

Through United Methodist Ministries and its Volunteers in Mission program, Rev. Ahlschwede encouraged over 1000 youth and adults from throughout the state to volunteer in East Omaha last year. Through hands-on service projects and in-depth discussions, participants become educated about race, gender and poverty with a result of creating advocates for the dismantling of racism, sexism and poverty.

Rev. Ahlschwede has been actively involved as a board member of several local human service agencies and initiatives including the Metropolitan Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless and Methodist Federation for Social Action. For four years, she also served on the Justice for Our Neighbors immigration legal clinic board. She has also served as the Interim Executive Director of both Together, Inc. and Wesley House Community Center.

Under her leadership, UMM has initiated four annual Days of Service in the metro, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service , Stand Up Against Poverty, and Global Youth Service Day. Rev. Ahlschwede is the Nebraska representative for the United Methodist Church South Central Jurisdiction Women’s Leadership Team and the Clergywomen Convener for the United Methodist Church in Nebraska, which coordinates formal and informal networking opportunities for women.

Among her many awards and honors, Rev. Ahlschwede was given the Omaha by Design Neighborhood Leaf award for her work with community gardens. With every hat she wears, Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede has the unique ability to meet people “where they are in life” offering nurturing and challenging environments that provide mentees with unique opportunities to grow and develop.

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

er dedication to improving the well-being of women and children in the community is extraordinary. Through her work as Chief of Community Health and Nutrition Services with the Douglas County Health Department, Mary Balluff has become a recognized leader with exceptional skills to bring diverse stakeholders together to improve the health of Omaha families.

Balluff has successfully trained professionals, built public health capacity, engaged the public to dialogue and collaborate, created public/private partnerships and attracted significant funding to the community to improve the health of the community. Balluff is one of the founders of Activate Omaha and has been instrumental in securing grants to promote active lifestyles. Her leadership in Live Well Omaha Kids has funded interventions that prevent childhood obesity.

Balluff secured 5.7 million dollars over a two-year period from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Communities Putting Prevention to Work.

Balluff has consistently given her time and talents to improve and empower the lives of women and children in Omaha. For several years, she has been involved in the national maternal and child health organization (CityMATCH) as a board member and leader. The organization’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of urban women, children and families.

Balluff has dedicated time to organizing Baby Blossoms Coalition (BBC) that aims to reduce feto-infant mortality. BBC engages physicians, nurses, social workers, childcare providers, interested citizens and medical examiners to share their observations and make recommendations to improve local health systems and resources for women, infants and families. Mary was instrumental in developing the first Fetal Infant Mortality Review program in the state if Nebraska.

In 2010, Balluff was presented with the Jill Dills Award for Distinguished Public Health Service, from the Public Health Association of Nebraska. In 2011 Mary received the University of Nebraska Medical Centers, College of Public Health Robert Sparks Award in Public Health and Preventive Medicine that recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence, creativity and distinguished collaboration in advancing effective approaches to prevent disease and promote health through public health education and practice. The world is run by those who show up. Balluff is a community partner and leader who not only shows up, but is willing to roll up her sleeves to get things done.

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Lifelong care for generations of women

Dr. Carlson OB/GYN

Methodist Health System is proud to support the

WOMEN’S CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT’S 24 TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN. ©2011 Methodist Health System

bestcare.org

Trite to Women

24th Annual

C

arol Gendler is an active advocate, supporter and participant in both state and local community organizations. Through her involvement in Heartland Family Service, Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Omaha Creative Institute, Emerging Terrain [the organization responsible for the grain silo murals at I-80 and 42nd Street], Omaha Community Foundation, Nebraska Humanities Council and others, she works tirelessly to promote the arts, literacy, and efforts that result in improving the quality of life. She also served for a number of years as a director of the Omaha Public Library and Lauritzen Gardens.

Gendler and her late husband Lee established GEMS, the Heartland Family Service Gendler Emergency Medication Service, which assists low-income individuals in purchasing medication. This fund has been a lifesaver to hundreds of people since its inception 15 years ago.

Carol has three children and three grandchildren.

She has taught at the College of St. Mary, served as Director of the Douglas County District Court Law Library and operated Legal Information Services. She is the owner of Marathon Realty Corporation, which was founded by H. Lee Gendler.

Carol Gendler

Anne Branigan

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eople look to her to provide guidance and encouragement, while holding them to the highest standards of excellence. Anne Branigan is Senior Vice President of the Greater Omaha Chamber. Her career there spans more than 20 years.

Over the past two decades, Branigan has worked tirelessly through a dynamic community organization to provide area businesses and individuals support so that they can grow and prosper. This is manifested though providing information and assistance to individual business owners to creating and developing Chamber programs and events, touching thousands of lives. Throughout her career, the goal for Branigan has been to support and encourage both individual and business success. Branigan not only provides support but enthusiasm as a champion for the Greater Omaha Young Professionals, encouraging diversity of thought and experiences. She also advocates inclusivity and positive change through her leadership of strategic planning, entrepreneurship and innovation, human resources, fundraising and special events for the organization.

Branigan has spent much of her time volunteering with organizations whose missions seek to improve the lives of Omaha area women and girls. She was a volunteer with the Great Plains Girl Scouts for five years and is currently active with the Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha. She has served the Women’s Fund in a variety of capacities over the last 11 years. Branigan was president of the 2010 board and is serving a second term in 2011. “I really believe in the mission of the Women’s Fund, which examines issues and conducts research in order to provide informed support for initiatives to improve the lives of women and girls in the metropolitan area,” Branigan said.

Branigan was a member of the Research Committee when the Women’s Fund updated a leadership study of women in the Omaha metro area. She was specifically involved in compiling results and writing a portion of the report. The study, released in 2007, has encouraged individuals and organizations to recognize leadership barriers for women and work to remove them.

As a former troop leader for the Great Plains Girl Scouts, her focus was on helping girls increase their confidence level so that it would carry over into other aspects of their life and empower them to achieve their dreams.

Branigan is also a Live Well Omaha board member, working to help women and their families have an overall healthier environment in which to live, and treasurer of the board for the AIM Institute.

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

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Mission The WCA Omaha’s mission is to help women and their families build lives of strength, growth and stability.

About the WCA The WCA provides opportunities to create and take steps on the path toward self-determination and self-sufficiency.

Congratulations to the Women’s Center for Advancement and the eleven outstanding women being honored for making a difference in the lives of women and in our community.

The organization assists women, wherever they might be on their journey, in achieving stable and hopeful lives.

The mission is achieved through programs and services that include domestic violence advocacy, career services, counseling services, preventive training education, as well as nonviolence programs.

402.345.6555 www.WCAOmaha.org

24th Annual Tribute to Women Luncheon • Tuesday, June 7, 2011 CoCo Key Convention Center 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. www.wcaomaha.org

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Trite to Women

24th Annual

assion, focus, experience and energy are all words used to describe Omaha School Board Member, Freddie Gray.

She is also the Operations Director for Project Impact, a video production company she owns and operates with her husband and an independent consultant in business management.

Gray is a founding member of the Affinity Council, a citywide coalition of African American, Latino, Caucasian and Native Americans addressing the issue of equitable education for students.

As a member of the Learning Community Coordinating Council, she has addressed barriers to student achievement. As Executive Director of the African American Achievement Council of Omaha, she works strategically to promote programs designed to respond to achievement disparity in standardized test scores by engaging students, parents, educators and employers in the community.

Long-recognized for her involvement in the community, she has served or currently serves on an extensive list of key organizational boards including the Omaha Public School Board, Nebraska Association of School Boards Director-Region 3 and is the co-chair for the National School Boards Association/Council of Urban Boards of Education Racial Isolation Task Force.

Gray is the leading advocate for the Career for Kids Consortium comprised of OPS and post-secondary public officials and senior executives. In partnership with Omaha employers and community-based organizations, the OPS initiative has a 14-year strategy taking the student from middle school to a post-secondary experience to employment.

Gray is a Great Plains Public Health Leadership Institute scholar. She has received numerous awards including the Urban League of Nebraska’s AfricanAmerican Leadership Award for Education in 2010 as well as recognition from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for promoting higher education in 2009.

Gray brings her time, talents and determination to the community she grew up in. A supporter of education and committed to life-long learning, she has a passion to see children succeed.

A

Mary Hawkins

Freddie Gray

P

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

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collaborative team builder, focused on ways to make meaningful education opportunities available to adults.

That’s Dr. Mary Hawkins, President of Bellevue University.

Since Dr. Hawkins arrival in 2000, Bellevue University has grown an average 12 percent each year and has been consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing nonprofit universities in the country.

Dr. Hawkins led the development and implementation of Bellevue University’s Cyber-Active Learning model, one of the first and most effective online learning systems in the U.S. From assessing a market need to developing curriculum, to piloting and marketing the programs through enrollment of students – Dr. Hawkins is instrumental in developing new programs. She established partnerships between the University, corporations and community colleges throughout the Midwest.

Strongly focused on non-traditional students, supporting class schedule flexibility and open enrollment, Dr. Hawkins has been keenly supportive of working mothers, military spouses and other adult learners to continue their education while juggling their careers and families.

Dr. Hawkins established the South Omaha Outreach project and scholarship program which currently serves 96 (64 female) residents of South Omaha.

She is a member of a number of associations including the Council of Independent Colleges, American Association of Community Colleges and the Oracle Education and Research Industry Strategy Council.

Hawkins serves on numerous local and national boards including the Boy Scouts of America, United Way of the Midlands, Greater Omaha Chamber and the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance.

Dr. Hawkins, is described as always looking for ways to better her community and is not afraid to “put the gloves on” to help get the job done. In her private life, she is an avid runner requiring a great deal of energy and determination.

Putting that same kind of energy and determination into everything that she does, Hawkins greatly benefits the entire community.

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She’s Electrifying.

Congratulattions to Adrian Minks – OPPD Vice President Essential Services

Trite to Women

24th Annual

S

uth Henrichs has been the “face and spirit” of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) for 35 years, dedicating her entire career to serving the human care needs of children and families across Nebraska.

Henrichs was the second woman nationally to be named CEO of a Lutheran social service organization and the first woman chair of the National Board of Directors of Lutheran Services in America, the largest nonprofit organization in the United States. She has received Nebraska’s Social Worker of the Year Award and the Midland University Master Teacher Award.

Under her leadership the LFS program budget has grown from $800,000 in 1984 to $16 million in 2011. In 2007 LFS received the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Nonprofit of the Year Award.

Henrichs has a Masters Degree in Social Work and a passion for serving all people with dignity, justice and respect. She currently serves as Chair of the national Board of Directors of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Immanuel Inc. and Chair of the Board of the Children and Families Coalition of Nebraska. Henrichs’ passion for building and strengthening families is demonstrated through her leadership in developing strategic and innovative programming. Examples are the LFS Centers for Healthy Families in Council Bluffs, North Omaha and Fremont, where low-income families of children prenatal to age five receive intervention and prevention services and the At Ease program which serves active military, veterans and their loved ones.

As a strong advocate for children and families, Henrichs helped to shape legislation to amend the Nebraska Safe Haven Law. Today, LFS partners with other organizations to deliver Right Turn, a program offering 24/7 access to services for adoptive/guardianship families on the verge of disruption. In 2010 she facilitated the merger of Adoption Links Worldwide with Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska.

Henrichs has given voice to children and families dealing with sexual abuse, incest and sexual behavior problems through programs like RSAFE, Parents United, Daughters and Sons United and Lutheran Family Services’ Behavioral Health Programs across the state of Nebraska. Immigrants and refugees find justice and respect through her vision to develop the International Center of the Heartland.

Henrichs is actively involved with many boards, task forces and advisory councils at the local, state and national levels. She lives her life with purpose, passion, faith and integrity.

Susan Jacques, G.G., F.G.A.

Ruth Henrichs

R

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

he says that she has the unique opportunity to celebrate major achievements and milestones with her customers every single day. To be a part of these significant occasions is a great privilege for Susan Jacques, President and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts.

Celebrating 30 years at Borsheims, she was only 34, when she received the call to the CEO spot by Warren Buffett. Males historically have dominated the jewelry industry, and her appointment has had an impact on female leadership in the industry.

Jacques, widely recognized as a leader within the jewelry industry was inducted into the National Jeweler’s Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2010, she was named Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Gemological Institute of America. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association, also in 2010.

Locally, she serves on the Creighton University Board of Directors. She volunteers with Creighton University’s Freshman Leadership Seminar. Jacques shares her leadership and business experience with an audience of future leaders. She also mentors one graduate student per semester at Creighton as an Executive Partner, sharing her experience and insight of current business issues and real life business cases.

Jacques has served on several boards and forums including her current leadership on the Creighton University Board of Directors, Young President’s Organization Forum Member and Boy Scouts of MidAmerica Council Board of Directors. Other board work includes the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Omaha Theatre for Young People, Ak-Sar-Ben, American Lung Association.

Jacques was the keynote speaker of the ICAN Women’s Conference in 2010. This significant achievement is very dear to her, as it is important to her to be an inspiring leader to women in our community. Her greatest accomplishment, she said, is her three sons and husband as well as balancing her home and business lives.

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Selection committee • DINY LANDEN

Committee Chair

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• KEN BIRD • DAVID BROWN • JAMIE GUTIERREZ Former Honoree

Coongratulations Congratulations ng onn yyour WCA W WC CAA Tribute C Tr to Wo Women Award, Susa Susann Jacques.

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• AMY HADDAD PHD Former Honoree

• CLAUDIA MARTIN Former Honoree

• SUE MORRIS

Former Honoree

• JANIE MUROW • NATALIA PEART

120 Regency Parkway | borsheims.com

WCA CEO

• JANE ROGERS

T H E

WCA Vice Chair

• AILEEN WARREN

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Trite to Women

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S

Gail Werner-Robertson

Adrian Minks

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warm personality, skilled leadership abilities and genuine concern for others set her apart from the crowd. As the first female vice president at OPPD, she has served as a role model and mentor for countless women, both at OPPD and in the community.

As Vice President of Essential Services and a member of the senior management team, she has been a leader in overhauling corporate strategic planning and designing OPPD’s efforts to increase its renewable energy and energy efficiency focus. Under her guidance, OPPD formed a Women’s Networking Group and held its first-ever companywide women’s conference last year. She is a valued voice on the OPPD leadership team with responsibilities for information technology, human resources, materials, facilities, environmental affairs and sustainability. She is known throughout OPPD as a “straight talker” who will find time to support individuals and teams working for the benefit of OPPD’s customer-owners.

Minks has served on and chaired the formerly YWCA Omaha board of directors. She was active in working with the organization to ensure that the agency’s mission was met through the provision of quality services benefiting women and families throughout the Omaha area.

Minks’ other notable service includes her leadership as board chair for the UNO Alumni Association in 2005. Her service to UNO over the years is punctuated by the Alumni Center’s $2 million renovation. Similarly, her leadership on the Board of Trustees for her alma mater, Wayne State College, has had a substantial impact on that institution’s ability to offer educational opportunities to first-generation college students, affecting generations of women and men to come. She received both the Wayne State College Alumni Achievement Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from UNO. Minks is currently a member of the Governing Board for the Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics and served as chair of the Information Technology Technical Advisory Group for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. With past service on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Career Advancement Needs, she was selected to be honorary chair for the 2010 ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference. She recently joined the Board of the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross and was honored as the Manager of the Year by the Midlands Chapter of the National Management Association.

She is a respected leader in the community. Her professional and supportive leadership abilities, as well as her commitment to mentoring have served OPPD and the community well.

Her planned retirement this year will allow her more time to contribute to these and other organizations as a volunteer.

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

he’s an entrepreneur who has founded and managed a number of local businesses. Gail Werner-Robertson is President and Founder of GWR Wealth Management, LLC. Werner-Robertson’s work provides jobs and services for Nebraskans, many of which have benefited from her financial and management expertise. She is a practicing attorney, as well as a certified financial planner and licensed insurance provider. She is the first women to serve on Omaha’s MECA Board of Directors and the only women to serve as its chair.

Werner-Robertson and her husband Scott have founded the Autism Action Partnership (AAP); its goal is to improve the quality of life for people with autism.

Werner-Robertson is currently working through the legislative process to reform insurance provisions for autistic children and their families.

One of the ways she assists women is through support of the College of St. Mary’s Mothers Living and Learning housing program for students. The program is an innovative residential option for single mothers and their children who would like to pursue a college degree full-time and live on campus.

Werner-Robertson received the Heartland Family Services Leadership Award in 2010, the EP Foundation for Education Distinguished Service Award in 2009 and the University of Nebraska Chancellors Distinguished Service Award in 2008.

Werner-Robertson also volunteers in the community as co-chair for the Salvation Army DJ Hero Luncheon.

Past activities include Special Olympics Summer Games, American Red Cross Go Red for Women and TeamMates to name a few.

Working to improve quality of life, providing jobs and supporting women, Werner-Robertson continues to serve tirelessly as a champion for others.

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Creighton University

celebrates

the service and leadership of two outstanding members of its Board of Directors

W Where here we we ha have ve ttracks, racks, w wee ha have ve tties. ies.

Union Pacific connects and suppor ts communities across America , not just because it ’s our business, but because these are our communities, too.

Susan Jacques

Gail Werner-Robertson

President and CEO Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry and Gifts

President and Founder GWR Wealth Management

w w w.u p .c o m

www.creighton.edu

In whose hands will you place her?

woman’s

“One

can only

help

woman’s

success

another

success.”

—Gloria Vanderbilt

Intensive Care for Newborns Children’s is the only hospital in the region with 24/7 access to a full complement of pediatric specialists. All dedicated to give the highest level of care to the most fragile newborns. Whatever they need. Whenever they arrive. We’ll be waiting up.

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Proud Sponsor of the WCA Tribute to Women

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Past honorees

Andrea Skolkin

D

escribed as a “visionary leader,” Andrea Skolkin is the Chief Executive Officer of OneWorld Community Health Centers, Inc. Since 2004, and with a motto of “Yes I can,” Skolkin has built a sustainable healthcare center that is both a legacy for the South Omaha community and economic driver for the area.

OneWorld has doubled the number of unique patient visits since 2004, and in 2010, the agency served over 18,000 patients.

Her work to grow quality community healthcare for women includes ensuring funds for programming and resources. She secured $5 million in private funds for a capital campaign for re-location of the healthcare clinic from a warehouse to a state-of-the-art facility in the Historic Livestock Exchange Building in 2004. In addition, $6 million in annual sustainable program support was garnered.

Skolkin assisted OneWorld Community Health Centers in receiving a number of awards and honors in the community including UNMC Center for Health Disparities, Organization of the Year in 2009 and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Non-Profit of the Year in 2008.

Thousands of women and children are positively impacted from a health perspective each year. She collaborates with organizations to provide excellent service and resources for the underserved and underinsured in our community. She initiated shared services with three other community health clinics under a formal structure called Heartland Community Health Network.

Prior to joining OneWorld, Skolkin was the Executive Director of Hope Medical Outreach Coalition, now under the umbrella of One World. Skolkin also developed a dental sealant program in the community and grew the specialty care and hospital referral network to over 300 physician volunteers with five hospital systems.

She also created a non-profit pharmacy providing affordable medication.

She serves as a role model and mentor, but also encourages professional growth. Skolkin’s influence and leadership permeates the home, the workplace, the community and many of those she comes in contact with creating a web of success for women and their families.

WCA OMAHA 24TH ANNUAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN

arts/humanities Carolyn Owen Anderson Marion Marsh Brown Sandy Bruns Eddith Buis Bertha Calloway Magdalena Garcia Jane Hill Lindy Hoyer Rachel Jacobson Audrey S. Kauders Sue Kocsis Josie Metal-Corbin Joan Mueller Laura Partridge Cindy Melby Phaneuf, Ph.D. Mary Robert Carolyn Rutherford Ree Schonlau Jennifer Severin Joan Squires Frances E. Thurber Karen White Roberta Wilhelm business/entrepreneur Carol Ann Aschenbrener, M.D. Janet Barnard Deborah Bass Rose Blumkin Kathleen Cloney Dodge Kathy English Linda S. Gloe Barbara B. Haggart Carole Woods Harris Marilyn Schooley Hansen, ASID Josephine Hernandez M. Jane Huerter Carol Hunter Sheri Idelman JoAnn Kozeny Susan Lebens Linda Lovgren Dianne Seeman Lozier Kathleen A. Mallatt Dana Markel Fran Marshall Melissa Marvin Sandra L. Maass Jane Miller Betty Nolan Judith A. Owen Mary Frances (Fran) Root Barbara W. Schaefer Brenda J. Smith

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business/entrepreneur Jan Stoney Kathleen Vance Jamie Gutierrez Vela Marilyn Wagner Mary Lou Walker Business/Entrepreneur cont’d Pamela Watanabe-Gerdes Paula Wells Tracy Zaiss

communications Mildred Brown Winnie L. Callahan Melanie Morrissey Clark Amy Friedman Janice Gilmore Sandra Goetzinger-Comer Andrea “Andy” Hoig Vicki Elliott Krecek Diny Landen Jennifer Mahlendorf Claudia Martin Lisa Mellen Ellen Moran Sibyl Myers Luanne Mainelli Nelson Mary Maxwell Lynn Phares Rosalee A. Roberts Deanna Sands Carol Schrader Anne Johnson Steinhoff Maureen McCann Waldron Marguerita Washington, Ph.D. education Edwardene Taylor Armstrong Dr. Joanne Carlson Connie Claussen Dr. Barbara Waldron Coffey Brenda Council Betty Davis Tessie Edwards Dr. Connie Eichhorn Katherine Fletcher Carolyn L. Grice Liz Lueder Karnes, Ed.D. Nancy Oberst Bonnie Pryor Sister Mary Evangeline Randolph, RSM Connie Spellman Wilda C. Stephenson Maryanne Stevens, Ph.D., RSM Nancy Faber

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wca new name

E aed V ion cont’d.

education k-12 Helen Kelley Elizabeth Kish Patricia Miltner Martha J. Stofko Kathy Trotter

post-secondary education Pat Callone Chancellor Nancy Belck Diane K. Donelson Gina Ponce Mary Lynn Reiser Sara Woods human services/ community advocate Marian B. Andersen Theresa Barron-McKeagney Inez M. Boyd Valda Boyd Ford Carole Boye Liz Campbell Dorothy Eure Mary Lee Fitzsimmons Ann K. Goldstein Kathy Fitzgerald Grandsaert Mary Heng-Braun Marian Ivers Kathleen Turner Jeffries Jamie Moore Kathy Bigsby Moore Sue Morris Patricia Newman Marta Nieves Penny Parker Mary Dean Pearson Jessie Rasmussen Marilyn Ross, RSM Donna Tubach-Davis Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein professions Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Oledia Bell, USAF Suzanne W. Braddock, M.D. Barbara Braden, R.N., Ph.D. Kathryn A. Dessonville Theresa Fitzgerald Ann Grandjean, Ed.D. Sheila Hawes Rhonda A. Hawks Sam Hohman Shirley Landen Huerter, M.D. Judge Patricia A. Lamberty Jennifer Larsen, M.D.

cont’d.

professions Patricia Lenaghan, R.N. M.S., CEN. Kate Mahern Rita Melgares Sergeant Teresa Negron Magda Peck, Sc.D. Jane Potter, M.D. Judge Jane H. Prochaska Lynda W. Shafer Susan Swindells, M.D. Gail Walling Yanney, M.D. Judy Zaiman Gotsdiner

medical professions Amy Haddad, PhD. Stephanie Koraleski, PhD Joan Lappe, PhD Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, M.D. Kristine McVea, M.D., M.P.H. Debra Romberger, M.D. Jackie A. Thielen professional volunteer Cindy Bay Susan A. Buffett Lynne D. Boyer Helen Cherniack Danny Colladay Margre Durham Barbara Fitzgerald Deb Grewcock Ann Strauss Hosford Mary Jacobson Mary Landen Sunny Lundgren Jodie L. Mackintosh Kathy Martin Sharon Marvin Dolores (Dee) Owen Sandy Parker Carol Russell Deb Schmadeke Suzanne Scott Teri Teutsch Mimi Waldbaum Cheryl Wild Ellen Wright young leader Karen Anderson Monica Ibarra Stephanie Kirby Jennifer Peterson Adriana Melana Pina Mary Kate Slowiaczek Lindsay Stodden Gaoia Vang Jessica Warren

PROUD SUP SUPPORTER PPORTER OF WOMEN’S CENTER C FOR ADVANCEMENT ADV VANC ANCEMENT CEMENT

Celebratingg 65 YYears! ears! facebook.com/SACFCU k.com/SACFCU Membership is open to everyone eryone in Douglas, Sarpy and Cass Counties, NE and Pottawattamie County County,, IA.

Congrratulations Congratulations a atulation nss to thiss year’s y s Tribute T ribute tto W Women om men honorees.

Thank you for or your ur ser service vice to women in our community. communityy.

A nticipating supply chain needs and capacit y cycles in your business require substantial consideration and a s t r a te g i c a p p r o a c h . . .

Ruth Henrichs President & CEO Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and Tribute to Women Honoree

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND YOUR SERVICE TO LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES OF NEBRASKA! from the Board of Directors of

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