• • 216/215 – Maris Kingfisher & Vanessa Martinez-Hernandez | Cultural Camouflage: Navigating Authenticity

    Objective #1: Personal identity audit
    Objective #2: Cultural competence
    Objective #3: Authentic communication techniques
    Objective #4: Boundary setting

     

  • 214/213 – Roger Garcia | Sustain Your Flame: How the Go-Getter Maintains Holistic Health

    Objective #1: Gain insight into life balance and identify steps for a healthier equilibrium
    Objective #2: Understand holistic health and explore steps to improve well-being
    Objective #3: Prioritize health to sustain leadership and long-term success

     

  • 212/211/210 – LaPora Lindsey | Power without Authority: Create Influence at Work on Day One

  Objective #1: Define what it means to make an impact at work
  Objective #2: Learn to communicate your value effectively
  Objective #3: Build trust and become a go-to resource

   

  • 209/208 – Todd Conkright | Becoming Your Own Process Excellence Coach: Optimizing Your Personal and Professional Efficiency

  Objective #1: Eliminate inefficiencies to boost productivity
  Objective #2: Use improvement techniques to achieve goals
  Objective #3: Develop self-coaching habits for success

   

  • 207/206/205 – Alyssa Kropp | How to Use AI to Become a Better Manager

  Objective #1: Gain AI prompts for coaching, data analysis, and decision-making
  Objective #2: Balance people leadership with AI integration
  Objective #3: Use AI to anticipate needs instead of reacting
  Objective #4: Embrace AI’s future in the workplace with confidence

   

  • 204 – Mayor Jean Stothert & Steve Jensen | Connecting the Dots: How Omaha Wins with the Streetcar

• 216/215 – Jeffrey Peters | The Power of Questions

Objective #1: Learn how questions engage the brain through instinctive elaboration
Objective #2: Understand how questions shape conversations and influence thinking
Objective #3: Use strategic questioning to drive action and deeper connections

 

• 214/213 – Racquel Henderson | Leveraging Community-Based Approaches to Empower Underrepresented Groups, Especially Minority Youth, Through Mentorship, Education, and Sports

Objective #1: Strengthen communities through youth leadership.
Objective #2: Use mentorship to challenge systemic inequalities.
Objective #3: Integrate life skills, education, and sports for youth empowerment.
Objective #4: Build sustainable support networks through collaboration.

 

• 212/211/210 – Toya, Broadway, Taylor Johnson, Mishala Lewis, Tierra Nesbit | When Things Don’t Go as Planned:  Keys to Reinventing Yourself

Objective #1: Strategies to deal with feelings of devaluation and self-doubt after setbacks
Objective #2: Steps for reassessing your skillset and finding new opportunities, especially in entrepreneurship
Objective #3: How to use failures as stepping stones for long-term success

 

• 209/208 – Mary Ann O’Brien | Personal Branding

Objective #1: Authenticity is key
Objective #2: Your brand is an experience
Objective #3: Align personal and business brands
Objective #4: Strategic growth through personal branding

 

• 207/206/205 – Sondra Dubas | Professional Growth Starts with Personal Growth

Objective #1: Grow by embracing your core values and strengths.
Objective #2: Live authentically in a changing world.
Objective #3: See growth as a lifelong journey.

Objective #1: Use play to spark creativity and fresh ideas
Objective #2: Gamify marketing for engagement and results
Objective #3: Present with authenticity, fun, and vulnerability
Objective #4: Build strong relationships through fun and connection

Objective #1: Explore the spiral of accountability and its applications
Objective #2: Recognize spiral up and spiral down behaviors
Objective #3: Reframe and navigate the spiral to encourage growth in challenging situations
Objective #4: Use the spiral of accountability to enhance leadership effectiveness

Objective #1: Explore the five core principles to understand personal well-being
Objective #2: Apply positive psychology practices for work and life
Objective #3: Use insights to enhance well-being in personal and professional conversations

Objective #1: Master the LAARC method to handle objections effectively
Objective #2: Ask questions to uncover the root cause of objections
Objective #3: Use the golden rule to approach objections with empathy

He now brings his Disney experience to audiences around the world, delivering a series of keynotes, masterclasses and ideation forums, that help people capture unlikely connections, leading to both disruptive thinking and revolutionary ideas.

He is a multiple TEDx speaker and frequent contributor to Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes, and he teaches Innovation and Creativity Masterclasses at Yale and Harvard Universities. Duncan holds the American Citizen Award presented at the White House, an Honorary Doctorate from Edinburgh University, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, presented by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

Mishala Lewis is a curator of equitable events and programs that activate and inspire the Omaha community. As Vice President of the Urban League of Nebraska Young Professionals, owner of MECHEE, and founder of Amplify Omaha Events, she leverages her extensive community connections to make a lasting impact. Through her events management company, Mishala not only hosts signature events but also provides expert event management services to nonprofits, helping them design and implement projects that drive meaningful change and foster connection.

For the past 20 years, LaPora has navigated diverse work environments around the globe and across industries, employed for 10 companies to be exact. As a professionally driven military spouse, she has faced unique challenges but turned them into opportunities for learning and training.   With education in organizational communication, administration, and several certifications, her approach boosts cultures of accountability and team engagement.  In 2022, she authored Bottom of the Food Chain, an exploration of how every role contributes to company success. LaPora’s expertise in organizational dynamics has garnered national recognition.

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.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert is in her third term as Mayor of Omaha. First elected in 2013, and re-elected in 2017 and 2021, she is the 51st mayor of Omaha and the city’s first woman to be elected to the office.
“Thank you for electing me to a third term. To serve as our city’s first female mayor, and to begin an unprecedented third term in office, are both incredibly special and very humbling. It is an honor that I will live up to, and one I am very excited to begin. I will work hard every day to earn your trust, make you proud of our work, and even more proud of our city.”
Mayor Stothert’s priorities are public safety, managing the city budget, job growth and economic development and improving the taxpayer experience., so every citizen receives excellent customer service when they interact with city government.
Mayor Stothert has reduced the property tax rate three times, improved city services, worked with the Omaha City Council to grow the city’s population and tax base through annexation, and increased funding for the police department to increase the number of officers to 906, a record high number. This historic high number of officers is helping to make Omaha safer and establishing one of the best large-city police departments in the country.
She proposed and voters approved “A Road Map to Better Streets”, a $200 million bond issue to improve aging city streets.
She serves on the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Board of Directors and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. She is the honorary Chair of the Omaha Sister Cities Association and Co-Chair of the Smart Cities Initiative.
Stothert grew up in the St. Louis area and worked as a critical care nurse and later as head nurse and department head of cardiovascular surgery at St. Louis University.
In 1993, Mayor Stothert and her family moved to Omaha.
She became involved in the Millard Public Schools as a volunteer. Later, she was appointed and then elected to the Millard Board of Education and served 11 years, including three as President. In 2009, she was elected to the Omaha City Council, representing District 5 in southwest Omaha.
In 2022, Mayor Stothert married Dr. Kevin O’Rourke. She has two children and four grandsons.
Mayor Stothert believes in open, transparent government and gets the most satisfaction from helping people solve problems.

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.

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.

What is the parking situation?
Parking is available at CHI Health Center Omaha in Lots D & B for $10. Parking attendants will take cash or credit. You can see a parking map and directions on their website.

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 ADA/wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the venue is accessible to disabled patrons, as required by the ADA and applicable regulations. Click here to review CHI Health Center Omaha’s ADA information.

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.