A Change Maker is someone aged 18-40, in the Greater Omaha-area. 

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• A past recipient of the award.
• Those serving in public office and/or running for public office.
• Current employees of the Greater Omaha Chamber.
• Current volunteers of the Greater Omaha Chamber Young Professionals Leadership Committee and 2024 YP Summit Planning Committee members.

Change Maker Award honorees will be recognized during the event, interviews and publicity from local media, opportunity to share your story at the live event.

Vanessa Martinez-Hernandez (she/her) is an Omaha native and a passionate DEI professional. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Corrections. Vanessa contributes to creating a more equitable workforce and community by supporting ERG development and engaging in several local committees and boards.

Mark Mathia, Chief Experience Officer at Signature Performance, excels in attracting and retaining world-class talent and championing the Associate experience. He leads comprehensive programming to inspire and enhance the Associate experience, which has earned the company Best Places to Work honors eight times. Mark is a Gallup Strengths Coach, Integrative Enneagram Accredited Practitioner, Associate Certified Coach (ICF), and Positive Psychology Coach, and is credentialed through the John Maxwell Team.

Tierra Nesbit, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, has dedicated over 20 years to serving her community, particularly in the realms of fostering, program management, and community engagement. A proud alumna of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Tierra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with a focus on Behavioral Health, showcasing her commitment to understanding and addressing the diverse needs of individuals and families. Tierra’s extensive experience includes notable positions at esteemed organizations such as Boys Town, Omaha Home for Boys, and Apex Family Care. In addition to her remarkable professional journey, Tierra is also a visionary entrepreneur, serving as the owner and operator of IAM Curvy RED Boutique since March 2020. Through her boutique, Tierra embodies her passion for empowering women, fostering a space where individuals can embrace their uniqueness and exude confidence.

Recognized as a pioneer in the world of marketing and technology, Mary Ann O’Brien is the founder of OBI Creative, an Omaha-based marketing agency. She has co-authored Voice of the Customer surveys that have served as the foundation for numerous business success stories. From starting her first company at the age of nine to introducing a revolutionary approach to understanding customer journey mapping, Mary Ann has always been an innovative marketing consultant and entrepreneur.

Abbie Perry is a marketing strategist who loves turning complex challenges into creative solutions. After five years of agency experience spanning industries like finance, technology, and healthcare, she’s learned to blend strategic thinking with collaboration to drive impactful results for clients. At Ervin & Smith, Abbie crafts marketing strategies that seamlessly connect digital, content, and media efforts, all rooted in insights from thorough research and analysis. Her background in account management has shaped her approach, which is built on strong relationships, teamwork and a genuine passion for making work fun.

As Director of Sales Training at Supportworks, Jeff works with sales teams throughout the Foundation Supportworks Network, inspiring and coaching them to consistently deliver remarkable experiences for the customers they serve. Jeff also develops new content for Foundation Supportworks dealers based on their evolving needs, in addition to hosting them for training events at the company’s national headquarters in Omaha. Jeff also manages a team of Sales and Service Coaches, mentoring them and holding them accountable to the company’s mission to redefine the contracting industry.

Kimara Snipes, serves as Executive Director of One Omaha. Ms. Snipes has organized in East Omaha communities since she was a teenager. Ms. Snipes served on the Omaha Public Schools board where she helped South Omaha residents navigate COVID by connecting information from our elected officials, the Douglas County Board of Health and the Omaha Public School District to thousands of people in the Omaha community. Ms Snipes holds a nonprofit administration certification from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell. Ms. Snipes is the President of P4 Innovative Solutions, LLC, focusing on stakeholder engagement and insight gathering, DEI policy and program design, and more. She enjoys motorcycles and spending time with her 24-year-old son, Kemari.

Chris Sund serves as President/COO at Uniti Med, a healthcare staffing company with a mission to provide staffing services with heart. Sund has nearly a decade of healthcare staffing experience. He is also a Maxwell Leadership certified speaker, teacher, trainer, and coach. It’s his mission to help others become the best version of themselves.
Sund joined Uniti Med in January 2022 and plays a pivotal role in the company’s development. Under his leadership, Uniti Med grew 10x in revenue, and garnered multiple prestigious awards. Including: Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023, Fortune Magazine’s Best Small Workplaces for 2023, ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing – Talent Satisfaction in 2023 and 2024, BluePipes – The Best Travel Nursing Companies 2023 and 2024, Best of Omaha – Top Employer, Great Places to Work, Great Places to Work in Omaha and Best Staffing Firms to Work For 2023 and 2024, and Best Staffing Firms to Temp For by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) for 2024.
Sund is active in healthcare staffing events across the country and is member of the Board of Directors of NATHO (National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations). He was honored in Midland’s Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2023. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his wife who works as a respiratory therapist, and their three sons who are involved in baseball, basketball, track, and cross country.

Meet Mark. A leader in the world of financial planning and insurance, he’s been challenging norms since age 16 when he started his career with a bet on his unfaltering work ethic. Today, Mark’s the CEO of Broker’s International, constantly earning his seat at the table while also changing the way the table is set. Making plans instead of rushing straight in. Building relationships and workplace alliances. Leaving margin for others or the unexpected requests that always pop up. Taking time to step away from the desk. That’s how Mark leads with intention to find success that’s sustainable. Never one to shy away from making mistakes, Mark expects honesty, collaboration and to be challenged – just as he challenged his first boss-turned friend years ago. He looks forward to sharing his experiences with you.

Do I have to be a Young Professional to attend?
No, it’s a mindset. We are an inclusive event for all ages and don’t card at the door.

Is there a lactation/mother’s room?
Yes, CHI Health Center has a Lactation Pod on the first floor attendees can use!

What is the dress code?
Business, business casual or causal. Come in what you are comfortable wearing!

What is the seating arrangement?
During general sessions, there will be round table seating.

• If your company is a sponsor, your table will be reserved. Check out the floorplans on the day of the event – find your company’s name and assigned table number. This will be your company’s assigned row throughout the day. Not sure if your company is a sponsor? Check with the individual who purchased your ticket to find out.
• If you purchased a single ticket, you will sit in open seating. Find tables marked open seating. These seats are first come, first serve and you may not have the same seat all day.
• If you purchased a VIP ticket, your seat will be reserved. Check out the floorplan on the day of the event and find the VIP tables.

During breakout sessions, there will be theater style seating. No seats will be reserved and it is on a first come, first serve basis.

Are there special lunch options? (Vegen, Gluten-Free, etc.)
Yes, select your meal preference during registration. If you have special dietary restrictions, let us know when registering. We will accommodate your request to the best of our ability.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the venue is accessible to disabled patrons, as required by the ADA and applicable regulations.

Do you offer sign language accommodations?
Yes, we will accommodate your request to the best of our ability. When registering, make sure to submit your accommodation request with your attendee information.

What should I bring?
Notebook, pen and business cards.

Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, applications are open Jan. 6 – Feb 4. Find the link above.

Can I register for just part of the day?
No, YP Summit only offers full-day tickets.

Can I register/pay the day of?
No.