About Us
2023 Inspire Finalists
Community Volunteer
Carol Russell, Community Volunteer
Kristin Lowrey, Access Period
Mary Louise Carlson, Omaha Sunrise Lions Club
Pearl Thunn, Pearl’s Beauty Shop
Mary Larson, Community Volunteer
Emerging Leader
Yajaira Gonzalez, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Michaela Atkins, Elevate Omaha
Adria Tipp, Elkhorn High School
Stefanie Bezduch, Angel Guardians
Shelby Belmore, Lacey Brown State Farm
Excellence in Business (Large)
Megan Belcher, Scoular
Calli Hite, Fusion Medical Staffing
Amy Hennings, Signature Performance
Amy L. Lawrenson, Baird Holm LLP
Liz Hall, Medical Solutions
Excellence in Business (Small)
Jodie McGill, McGill Law
Monique Farmer, Avant Solutions
Nicole Bianchi, Nicole Bianchi Speaks
Karli Meisinger, J&R Mechanical
Shanna Turner, T4 Enterprises
Excellence in Education
Dr. Rachel Cushing, Creighton University School of Medicine
Dr. Deb Carlson, Nebraska Methodist College
Dr. Ferial Pearson, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Dr. Joanne Li, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Catie Baker, Creighton University
Excellence in Healthcare
Chanda Chacon, Children’s Hospital
Dr. Joann Porter, Creighton University School of Medicine
Dr. Emily Patel, Methodist Health System
Jen Tran, Methodist Health System
Carol Gaebler, UNMC
Excellence in Public Service
Morgan Keegan, Girls Inc.
Cydney Franklin, Seventy-Five North
Dr. Neena Nizar, The Jansen’s Foundation
Lauren Micek Vargas, Education Rights Counsel
Vanessa Ward, 4ward Leap
Inspire Scholarship
Aylin Sanjuampa Cerezo, College of Saint Mary
Monserrat Medina Hernandez, Student
Maggie Wadginski, GRIT is our Superpower
Mia Perales, Students for Sustainability
Maddie Mollner, College of Saint Mary
Visionary
Haley Piper Haas, Anastasis Theatre Co.
Yareli Garcia, Prestige Cleaning
Julie Hockney, JH Interior Design
Stephanie Grade, Ovation Heartwood Preserve
Tracy Zaiss, ZCo Global Partner Solutions
Woman of the Year
Nancy Williams, No More Empty Pots
Carmen Tapio, North End Teleservices
Cydney Franklin, Seventy Five North
Carol Russell, Volunteer
Dr. Joanne Li, University of Nebraska at Omaha
2023 Inspire Omaha Nominees
- Abby McLeay
- Adria Tipp
- Allison Wakin
- Alyssa Dilts
- Amanda Ivey
- Amber Barna, MSN, RN
- Amber Nichole Oak Kleber
- Ameshia Doll-Weier
- Amy Hennings
- Amy L. Lawrenson
- Amy Nakai
- Andrea Taylor
- Angela Cooper
- Anna Pitt
- Anne Branigan
- Ann Wieseler
- Ashley Havelka
- Aylin Sanjuampa Cerezo
- Beatriz Arellanes
- Brittany Thomas
- Brooke McAlpin
- Caitlyn Ebersole
- Calli Hite
- Candace Clow
- Candace Gregory
- Carmen Tapio
- Carol Gaebler, MS, CCC-SLP
- Carolina Padilla
- Carol Russell
- Catie Baker
- Chantal Wentz
- Chanda Chacon
- Cheri Dickmeyer
- Cherry Bear
- Cherylle Leffall
- Chloe Carr
- Cydney Franklin
- Cynde Glismann
- Cynthia Goslin
- Deborah Dogba
- Debra McKnight
- Devin Larsen
- Diana Ariss Rogel
- Dr. Deb Carlson
- Dr. Joann Porter
- Dr. Joanne Li
- Dr. Linda M. Garcia-Dorta
- Dr. Neena Nizar
- Dr. Pamela Schwalb
- Echo Bell
- Emily Patel MD
- Erin Porterfield
- Ferial Pearson
- Gennifer Herb
- Haley Piper Haas
- Wendy Pecoraro
- Imani Murray
- Itzeni Nayeli Lopez
- Jackie Alba
- Jannette Taylor
- Jean Jadlowski
- Jen Tran
- Jenny Mickeliunas
- Jessica Lee
- Jill Harman
- Jill S. Orton
- Joan Porter MD
- Joanne Kamppinen
- Jodie McGill
- Jolene Knutzen
- Julianne FitzPatrick
- Julie Hockney
- Julie Sigmon
- Karina McHugh
- Karli Meisinger
- Kate Maguire
- Katie Bassett
- Kellee Mikuls
- Kelly Gray
- Kim Rowell
- Kimberly Kropp
- Kristin Lowrey
- Lacey Brown
- Lauren Cencis
- Lauren Micek Vargas
- Lauren Mueller
- Leah Whitney Chavez
- Leslie Bishop Hartung
- Linda Meigs
- Lindsay Toussant Brown
- Lindsey Stennis
- Liz Hall
- Liz Zellner
- Lori Hoffart
- Maddie Mollner
- Maggie Wadginski
- Maia Young
- Marcia Anderson
- Mary Ann O’Brien
- Mary Anne Hoover
- Mary Larson
- Mary Louise Carlson
- Megan Belcher
- Melissa Henry, MS, CSCS
- Melissa Schroeder
- Melissa Steffes
- Mia Perales
- Micaela Zimmer
- Michaela Atkins
- Michala Anderson
- Mi-Ya Mata
- Monique Farmer
- Monserrat Medina Hernandez
- Morgan Keegan
- Mrs. Toody Moffatt
- Nancy Edick
- Nancy Williams
- Nicole Bianchi
- Pearl Thunn
- Phyllis Valentine
- Racheal Cushing
- Rachel Wortmann
- Raquel Schram
- Sandie Yeaman
- Sandy Spady
- Sara Karnowski
- Sasha Berscheid
- Shanna Turner
- Shannon Barnhart-Vosberg
- Sharon Jackson
- Shawn McCarville
- Sheila Byars Fields
- Shelby Belmore
- Stefanie Bezduch
- Stephanie Grade
- Stephanie Kidd
- Susie Owens
- Suzanne Combs-Brown
- Tamara Draeger
- Tamika Mease
- Taryn Clatanoff
- Tay “Foxy” Hudson
- Tiffany Gormley
- Tracy Zaiss
- Vanessa Ward
- Vicky McHugh
- Victoria McHugh
- Wendy Pecoraro
- Wendy Wiseman
- Yajaira Gonzalez
- Yareli Garcia
2023 Inspire Award Winners
Woman of the Year
Carmen Tapio
President / CEO
North End Teleservices, LLC
Excellence in Large Business
Megan Belcher
Chief Legal & External Affairs Officer, and Corporate Secretary
Scoular
Excellence in Small Business
Monique Farmer
APR
Avant Solutions
Excellence in Education
Dr. Deb Carlson
President / CEO
Nebraska Methodist College
Excellence in Public Service
Morgan Keegan
Girls Inc.
Community Volunteer
Carol Russell
Volunteer
Excellence in Healthcare
Jen Tran
RN, SANE
Methodist Health System
Inspire Scholarship
Monserrat Medina Hernandez
Student
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Emerging Leader
Yajaira Gonzalez
Program Coordinator
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Visionary
Yareli Garcia
Owner / Founder
Prestige Cleaning
Accepting 2024 Nominations Starting this Spring!
THE INSPIRE AWARDS – The Inspire awards celebrate women who have truly excelled, not only in their professional lives, but as leaders and role models. While many of these women come from different industries and walks of life, they share several traits — a strong sense of self, a success-driven work ethic and the extraordinary accomplishments to show for it. Their commitment, vision and talents make them true leaders in their chosen fields.
FINALISTS – Finalists will be chosen in nine different categories by an advisory board consisting of local business and organization leaders.
AWARDS – One person will be honored in each category. Finalists for each category will be announced in the Omaha World-Herald. The winners in each category will be announced at the 2024 Inspire Awards Luncheon.
One individual will receive top honors and be acknowledged as Woman of the Year.
Nominations
The Inspire awards celebrate women who have truly excelled, not only in their professional lives, but as leaders and role models. While many of these women come from different industries and walks of life, they share several traits — a strong sense of self, a success-driven work ethic and the extraordinary accomplishments to show for it. Their commitment, vision and talents make them true leaders in their chosen fields.
Nominations for the 2023 awards are now closed.
Category Descriptions
(Sm/Med: 100 or less employees)
An Omaha area female employee who works for a small/medium size business and makes a difference in the lives of her colleagues in the business or in her networking groups, who contributes to nonprofits, the local community or women’s/girls’ groups.
Excellence in Business
(Large: 100+ employees)
An Omaha area female employee who works for a large size business and makes a difference in the lives of her colleagues in the business or in her networking groups, who contributes to nonprofits, the local community or women’s/girls’ groups.
Emerging Leader Award
This award recognizes a young Omaha metro-area woman under 30 years old who has contributed exceptionally in school activities, her local community and philanthropy or girls groups over the past year. She has a strong sense of self, a success-driven work ethic and great career aspirations.
Community Volunteer
(Philanthropy, time, talent, financial contribution)
This award recognizes an Omaha metro-area woman volunteer or philanthropist who has made a major difference to local charities or nonprofits through a donation of volunteer time, talent or financial contribution.
Excellence in Education
An Omaha metro-area female educator or administrator who has made a difference in the lives of other women or girls. She contributes to the local community and nonprofits, encourages colleagues, and shares her skills for the benefit of others.
Excellence in Healthcare
An Omaha metro-area female who excels in the healthcare industry. She contributes to the local community and nonprofits, helps her colleagues to develop, and shares her skills for the benefit of others.
Excellence in Public Service
(Government, non-profit)
An Omaha area female that works in government, the arts, journalism or for a nonprofit organization. She goes above and beyond in her role and empowers her colleagues, and collaborates with other groups for the greater good to help improve the lives of others in the community.
Visionary
(Entrepreneur, founder)
This award recognizes a woman who is an entrepreneur, a founder. Someone who built a dream into a successful venture that benefits and improves the lives of others in the Omaha community. This could be a small business or fundraising event.
Inspire Scholarship
An Omaha area female high school or college student who has contributed to her community, excels in the classroom, and has great career aspirations.
Want More Information?
Contact us today for more information about Inspire!