12-15-HUmanitarianDinner-5.13_- 4/20/13 12:11 PM Page 13
metroMagazIne • The Spirit of Omaha
THURSDAY, MAY 30TH, 2013 marks the day that inclusive communities (formerly nccj) will celebrate its 75th anniversary by hosting the 58th annual humanitarian dinner awards at the embassy suites lavista. keynote speaker will be mayor cory booker from newark, new jersey. appropriately, some of the region’s most noted and active humanitarians will be among those honored.
Bruce & Stacy Simon Humanitarian Award
BRUCE & STACY SIMON
Bruce Simon is a fifth generation family owner of the Omaha Steaks® group of companies, where he serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. The company, started by his great greatgrandfather in 1917 as a custom butcher shop, has grown into the nation’s largest direct response marketer of premium beef and gourmet foods. Bruce began his full-time Omaha Steaks employment in 1981, upon graduation from the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Finance, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. Bruce’s first full-time position post college graduation was as Assistant Plant Manager and from there he went on to hold numerous other positions throughout the company until being named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. Omaha Steaks and the Simon Family have a long-standing commitment to community service. Bruce lives the philosophy of “leading by example.” His decisive leadership and genuine philanthropic commitments are evident in all he does. Bruce is recognized as a strong leader in supporting the cultural arts and health and human service organizations both locally and nationally. Over the years, Bruce has been actively involved on the boards of numerous philanthropic organizations and remains a strong supporter of organizations including the Omaha Performing Arts Society, Omaha Symphony, Joslyn Art Museum, Boys and Girls Clubs, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Heart Association and the Armed Forces Foundation, to name just a few. Additionally, Bruce strongly supports initiatives that help families – both company and community-wide. On a professional level, Bruce is a past member and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Nebraska Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. He currently serves on the board of the CEO Organization and has been a long-time member of the American Meat Institute and the North American Meat Association. Stacy S. Simon graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics-Fashion Merchandising. Stacy moved to Omaha in 1991, when she married Bruce Simon. Over the years, Stacy has lovingly devoted her time to
raising her daughters, Talia and Ellie, where she has been actively involved in supporting both their academic endeavors and various hobbies and areas of interest. Stacy also has been an energetic community volunteer, currently serving on the boards of trustees for both Brownell Talbot School and The Nature Conservancy. She leads by example through her involvement in leadership roles, orchestrating events and galas ranging from the American Heart Association Heart Ball to Opera Omaha’s Cotillion and the annual Brownell Talbot Gala. In addition, Stacy has volunteered with many other organizations including Planned Parenthood, Fontenelle Forest, Temple Israel, The Winner’s Circle, The Hope Center For Kids, Project Harmony, Lauritzen Gardens, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the various schools attended by her children. Stacy is particularly passionate about organizations and initiatives which help children and families. In her free time, Stacy is a certified yoga instructor, where she donates the proceeds from her classes to local charities.
Ebony Banks Inclusive Communities’ Volunteer Award eBony BankS became involved with Inclusive Communities in 2005. She is a graduate of Burke High School and works full-time as a nurse for a local health care system. She credits her experience at IncluCity for changing her perspective, “I went that weekend hoping to learn how to make a difference in my school, and change some of the injustices I saw daily, but came away with so much more than that. I gained a family, and a great group of friends with my same goals and passion in mind. I have had so many opportunities to see how the work affects people in a positive light and the chance to grow and learn so much about myself. I was able to gain an awareness I wouldn't have otherwise had. I honestly think I would be a completely different person if I hadn't gone to camp when I was a Junior in high school.” She says her love for the organization keeps her motivated. Her personal dream would be to work full time in the community, doing work which promotes equality and stops discrimination. Her biggest dreams for Inclusive Communities are to grow and expand reaching all members of our community and being on the forefront of change.
CONTINUED