2019 Nebraska Conference Speakers

Veteran, Author, Speaker, Investment Banker,

Eternal Adventure Seeker

BIO

Major (Retired) Scotty Smiley became the first blind active-duty officer in military history following a face-to-face confrontation with a suicide car bomber in Iraq in 2005.  After his injury, Scotty’s faith led him to forgive his attacker and inspired him to rebuild his life while continuing to serve his country in the U.S. Army.

A West Point graduate, he returned there to teach after he earned an MBA from Duke University.  He was named the Army Times “Soldier of the Year" and won an ESPY award for “Best Outdoor Athlete.”  He is the recipient of a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the Army’s prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award.  Following a position in the Gonzaga University ROTC Department, Scotty retired from the military in 2015.

Scotty wrote his book Hope Unseen about his journey through overcoming adversity and now travels the country sharing his message of perseverance, courage, and hope.  Ever the adventurer, after the loss of his eyesight he has learned to surf, gone skydiving, climbed Mt. Denali, and became an Ironman.  Scotty currently works as an investment banker and CEO of Bellator Asset Managment and is a regular guest on news networks such as NBC, CBS, and Fox.  He is married to his high school sweetheart Tiffany.  The couple lives in their hometown of Pasco, Washington with sons Grady, Graham, and Baylor.

Scotty Smiley is from Pasco, a small city in Washington State.  After high school, he attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY.  After four years, he graduated and moved to Fort Benning, GA and attended Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School.  Soon after he moved to Fort Lewis, WA where he led a 45-man platoon.

In 2005, while leading his platoon in Mosul, Iraq, Scotty found himself in front of a suicide car bomber.  After the man blew himself up, shrapnel blew through Scotty’s eyes leaving him blinded and temporarily paralyzed.  A week later he woke up in Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Though questioning his faith, Scotty made a decision to forgive and rebuild his life and continue to serve in the Army, becoming the first blind active-duty officer in military history.

The Army Times named Captain Smiley “Soldier of the Year" in 2007.  In 2008, Scotty won the ESPY award for Best Outdoor Athlete.  After receiving an MBA from Duke University, Scotty taught the core course in leadership at West Point and then commanded the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center.  Scotty is a recipient of the Army’s prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award and holds an honorary PhD from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY.  In 2010, Scotty received a “Father of the Year” award in New York and in 2011 received the esteemed Christopher Award that affirms the highest values of the human spirit.

Since then, Scotty attended the Maneuver Captain Career Course in Fort Benning, GA, and then moved to Spokane, WA where he held a position with the Gonzaga University ROTC Department teaching and mentoring America’s future leaders.

After many years of service, Scotty retired from the military in 2015.  Over his military career, Major (Retired) Smiley received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings and Combat Diver Qualification Badge.

He currently works as CEO of Bellator Asset Management, out of New York City, as an investment banker for corporations and banks around the world.

With a passion for using his story to build hope in this world, Scotty authored Hope Unseen in 2010 and now travels the country speaking and sharing his message of perseverance, courage and hope.

He is an avid adventurer and has completed the Coeur d’Alene Ironman. Scotty has climbed Mt. Rainer, has gone skydiving and surfing and is always looking for his next chance to try something new.

Scotty is married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany.  The couple lives in Pasco, WA and are the proud parents of Grady Douglas, Graham Elliott, and Baylor Scott.

BIO

Tiffany Smiley is currently CEO and Founder of Tiffany Smiley Consulting and President and Co-Founder of Hope Unseen, a highly successful public speaking firm.  She has been featured on CBS News, CNN, C-SPAN, Dr. Phil, Fox News, The Katie Couric Show as well as in major publications such as People Magazine, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. 

Prior to that, Ms. Smiley served as a triage nurse and in other health professional roles.  She is a graduate of Whitworth University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Ms. Smiley has been a fierce advocate for American veterans, working with high-ranking politicians, lobbyists and the President to secure much-needed services.  She runs her consultancy and other businesses from Pasco, WA, where she lives with her husband and three sons.

Tiffany Smiley is an author, motivational speaker, media personality and consultant who helps others discover and harness their unique “superpower” by fearlessly confronting and overcoming life’s challenges.  Her specialized approach to tackling obstacles head-on has helped men and women across the world rise above the seemingly insurmountable to achieve their most ambitious goals, from entrepreneurs fiercely transforming their vision into reality to c-suite executives driven by global excellence. 

Through her speaking to major corporations, non-profits and civic groups, Ms. Smiley’s inspirational, resilience-based teachings provide invaluable tools that break through the status quo and lead to extraordinary results in financial performance, organizational impact and employee well-being and productivity.  

Recognizing the special challenges that women face in business, Ms. Smiley has also created the More Than Me conference tour, a live community forum for ambitious “women of vision” to make meaningful connections, share their life-altering stories, realize their true worth and learn how to similarly inspire their family, friends and community.  These conferences feature an impressive lineup of accomplished women with real-world stories about achieving the impossible, as well as the opportunity to tap into experts in a variety of fields, including personal development, business coaching, entrepreneurship and financial acumen.         

As outlined in all of her platforms, Ms. Smiley's results-driven methods are founded on:

• Owning Your Superpower: discovering your unique life purpose by confronting and overcoming adversity
• Reaching Out: connecting with others to help and be helped
• Advancing Fearlessly - moving bravely forward for results

To light a path for others, Ms. Smiley combines her education, training and personal experience as a triage nurse, start-up co-founder and victor in a David-and-Goliath battle against the US government into a powerful, practical guide for succeeding in spite of hardship of any kind — from dealing with life’s daily difficulties to office politics to the worst imaginable tragedy. 

Smart Women Smart Money Nebraska Conference Host

John Murante was born February 6, 1982 in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a proud graduate of Skutt Catholic High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He married his wife, Melissa, on December 22, 2007, and they have one daughter, Talia. He is the former President of the iconic Big Fred’s Pizza in Omaha.

In 2012, Murante was elected to represent the Gretna-based 49th Legislative District in the Nebraska Unicameral. During his time in the Nebraska Legislature, he served as Chairman of the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee as well as Chairman of the Special Committee on Election Technology in 2016. He also sat on the Unicameral’s Transportation Committee.

As a State Senator, he served as the Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Elections and Redistricting Standing Committee, and on the advisory committee to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Treasurer Murante is a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Gretna Optimists, and serves on the board of Partnership 4 Kids.

Smart Women Smart Money Conference Coach

Linda Cohen, also known as the “kindness catalyst” is a professional speaker and consultant. She works with businesses and associations on the ROI of Kindness. Cohen helps leaders improve communication, boost teamwork and improve the customer service experience through further engagement in acts of kindness. Her first book, 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life, published by Seal Press, is an inspirational guide to a life of gratitude. Since her books publication she has been interviewed on National Public Radio, NBC, ABC and Fox television. She's consulted on dozens of stories for magazines, newspapers and podcasts.

Cohen received her BA from American Jewish University and an MA from Brandeis University. Cohen is a current member of the National Speakers Association and serves as the immediate past president of the Oregon State chapter. Originally from the northeast, she and her husband have called Portland, Oregon home almost all of their 26 years together. They have two spirited young adult children and two beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cohen enjoys practicing yoga, catching a great movie and will never turn down a well made cup of Earl Grey Tea. 

Smart Women Smart Money Conference Liaison and founding President of SFOF

As President of SFOF he is charged with leading the national organization and collaborating with like-minded state officials to promote fiscally responsible, free market principles to better impact state and federal financial policy. Kreifels is charged with ensuring that SFOF’s fiscal, operational, fundraising, marketing, and communication strategies are effectively implemented.

Kreifels spent five years as Assistant State Treasurer of Kansas. As Assistant State Treasurer he also served as chief of staff - an agency head and deputy to a statewide elected official. He managed all aspects of the Treasurer’s office including scheduling, policy development, legislative, budgeting and personnel.

Kreifels was accountable for an office which processed over $21B annually which is comprised of 42 employees with an annual budget of over $3.5M. He worked with the State Treasurer to create new programs and modernize existing ones to reach out to a diverse set of Kansans with a wide variety of financial education initiatives.  He was responsible for identifying innovative ways to help return unclaimed property to Kansans.

Kreifels played an integral role  in working with the Kansas 529 Learning Quest program and program manager to develop annual marketing plan which includes television, radio, newsprint, collateral material and other borderless marketing initiatives.

Kreifels continuously sought out ways to increase the use of technology in the office to reduce costs.  He directed Emergency Preparedness Operations planning and training for the agency with exposure to FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security as well as the Kansas Department of Emergency Management. 

Kreifels has spent the last 25 years encouraging, advising and working along side various federal, state, and local leaders. Before working for the public sector, Kreifels spent several years in banking.

He attended Kansas State University, received his undergraduate degree from Wichita State University, and his Masters from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He lends his leadership to several boards and non-profits.  He and his wife Melanie recently traveled to a remote part of Ghana, Africa, on a mission trip to attend the grand opening of a school.  He and Melanie live in the Kansas City area.

Smart Women Smart Money Conference Emcee

Carolyn Holly comes to the Smart Women Smart Money team from the Treasure Valley of Idaho after being involved with Smart Women Smart Money as its conference emcee for the past 15 years. Holly currently serves as Vice President of Idaho Business for Education. In her role, she is an instrumental part of developing meaningful relationships with business leaders to create a highly educated and skilled workforce.

Carolyn enjoyed a 33 year career at KTVB Channel 7 television in Boise, where she became one of Idaho's most experienced and best known television personalities. 

Carolyn has acted as an important representative and volunteer for many Treasurer Valley organizations including Smart Women Smart Money, Boise Public Schools Foundation, Idaho Youth Sports Commission, the Saint Alphonsus Foundation, FUNDSY, the Boise Police Chiefs Citizen Advisory panel and the President of the FACES Foundation.

BIO

Gail DeBoer is the President and CEO of Cobalt Credit Union, the largest Credit Union in Nebraska.  She began her career there in 1988, holding several positions before becoming President/CEO in 2007.  Under her leadership, Cobalt has seen assets grow from $312 million to over $1 billion and total membership growth to over 110,000.

DeBoer has a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and an MBA from Bellevue University. She has completed the Certified Public Accountant exam and is a Leadership Omaha graduate. She is a member of the Defense Credit Union Council, National Association of Federal Credit Unions, Credit Union Executive Society, and American Society of Military Comptrollers. DeBoer sits on the Board of Trustees for the Omaha Ethics Alliance, the Board of Directors for the Greater Omaha Chamber, the Board of Trustees for Nebraska Shakespeare, a member of the National Advisory Board of UNO’s College of Business, the Boys Town Fundraising Advisory Board, Governor on the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, Co-commander and Treasurer of the Offutt Advisory Council, Board Member and Treasurer of Wings Over the Heartland, Co-Chair of the Omaha Chamber EDC Military Target Advisory Group, member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation Board, a member of the United Way of the Midlands Board, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.

In 2016, DeBoer was the Inaugural Recipient of the ICAN Leadership Award.  In 2015, she was a Women’s Center for Advancement (WCA) Tribute to Women Honoree.  DeBoer was awarded the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association Citation for Alumni Achievement in 2013.  In 2012, DeBoer received the UNO College of Business Administration Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award and was inducted into the Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame.  In 2011, she received NAFCU’s CEO of the Year Award and was named Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the Year.   DeBoer was named 2007 National Boss of the Year by iBusinesschannel.com, and received the Credit Union Executive Society “Rising 100” Award.  

Gail’s community involvement represents both her commitment to the community and to the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”.

BIO

Karisa D. Johnson was born in Columbus, Mississippi, and criss-crossed the globe with her parents and sister growing up in a military family.  After graduating from high school in Oklahoma, she moved to Nebraska to attend college.  She attended Nebraska Methodist College where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001. After obtaining her license as a Registered Nurse, she attended law school, graduating Cum Laude from Creighton University School of Law in 2004.  Soon after graduating, she joined the firm of Ballew, Schneider, Covalt, Gaines & Engdahl, PC LLO as an associate, where she worked for 3 years before co-founding her current firm, Koukol & Johnson, LLC.  Since then, Karisa has continued to diligently represent clients in family law, collections, civil litigation, and business formation and governance matters.  Karisa is an experienced trial and appellate attorney who further advises and assists her clients with ancillary concerns including simple estate planning.  She is a member of the American Bar Association and Nebraska State Bar Association, serving as a member of the Legal Services Committee at the state level since 2015.  In 2012, she received training through the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Office of Dispute Resolution to act as a Parenting Act mediator, and now mediates and facilitates cases as a neutral, the majority of which involve high levels of parental conflict or evidence of domestic violence. She is a member of the Nebraska Mediation Association, and is an affiliated mediator with the Douglas County Conciliation Court and Concord Mediation Center.

Ms. Johnson focuses her practice in the area of family law and alternative dispute resolution.  In connection therewith, she is a trained Collaborative Lawyer, and a member of the Nebraska Academy of Collaborative Professionals, who assist clients primarily with domestic relations matters involving a commitment to settlement for the benefit of minor children. When peaceful resolution of disputes is not possible, she vigorously represents clients in all levels of Nebraska state courts, and is licensed in the federal courts in the District of Nebraska and in the 8^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

When not practicing law, Karisa enjoys spending time with her son and daughter, who have a particular fondness for escape rooms, Nebraska football, and Harry Potter. 

BIO

Jill Pershing Davis joined the U.S. Bank Wealth Management in Lincoln as a trust relationship manager earlier this year.  Davis works with clients and families to build and transition wealth and achieve their financial goals.

Davis has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.  Davis is a Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Public Accountant.  She was the past vice president and board member of the Cornhusker Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and is a member of the Lincoln Estate Planning Council.     

Davis is actively involved in the community with the Nebraska Women Leadership Network, Delta Delta Delta sorority alumni board, volunteer for the Lied Center for Performing Arts and at the Capital City Christian Church. She served as past president of NOVA-BPW, chair of YWCA Tribute to Women.  She is co-owner of Circle D Ranch near Valentine and member of Nebraska Cattlemen.

BIO

Personal Information:

I’m married with four grown children and eight grandchildren. I have been an active member of my church for over 35 years. My faith and family are very dear to me. I have a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance. I have represented Mutual of Omaha for more than 29 years. I enjoy helping people put together a financial plan that is designed to position and protect the things in life that are most dear to them. My personal life experiences, including a breast cancer battle in 2012, validate the type of work I do for my clients and why I choose to represent Mutual of Omaha.

Professional Information:

I am a Financial Advisor, other designations include CLTC (Certified in Long Term Care) and LUTCF (Life Underwriters Training Council Fellowship). I understand the importance of planning for the what-if’s in life, a few to include dying too soon, living too long, and/or getting sick or hurt along the way, urging you to do so yourself. It’s of immense priority to have your financial household in order, taking care of your children, career, hobbies, friends, extended family, vacation and retirement plans and, to put it more simply, your life. I strive to provide an outstanding financial planning experience for individuals, families and business owners. In my practice, I do an independent assessment of your financial condition that helps put you in control of a coordinated approach to your financial life.

I offer securities and investment advisory services through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

BIO

Ms. Judi gaiashkibos has been the Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs (NCIA) since 1995. She has worked with the government and private sector to provide opportunities for Nebraska Native Americans, fostered diversity and cultural sensitivity in the Nebraska State Legislature, promoted state and federal legislation, and advanced sovereignty issues. She is an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Human Relations and Leadership from Doane University. She was the 2012 recipient of the Humanities Nebraska Sower Award, was the 2017 Governor’s Distinguished Nebraskalander recipient, and was an Inspire Award Finalist for Excellence in Government Service in 2018.

In 2017, she was appointed to serve on the Nebraska State Legislature’s Whiteclay task force to help study and develop a positive path forward for the community. In her role as executive director of NCIA, she has played an essential part in the legal process of working with Nebraska tribes and the State Historical Society in the repatriation of Native remains in the state of Nebraska.

Ms. gaiashkibos has served as Advisor and Adjunct Professor to the Native Daughters Projects One and Two at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s School of Journalism and served on countless non-profit and institutional boards, including UNMC Advisory Council, US Civil Rights State Advisory Council, University of Nebraska President’s Advisory Council, Doane University Board of Trustees, and the Governor’s Racial Profiling Task Force and Education and Workforce Roundtable.

Under her leadership and vision, Ms. gaiashkibos has grown the bi-annual Chief Standing Bear Breakfast into a powerful gathering of people promoting awareness of Native culture and issues. She has taken the powerful story of Chief Standing Bear and inspired the creation of a world-class sculpture of the chief, which was dedicated on Centennial Mall in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2017, with a copy dedicated on Ponca tribal lands, and most significantly legislation passed for placement in Statuary Hall, in Washington, D.C. in 2018.

Ms. gaiashkibos is the creator of the Sovereign Native Youth Leadership Academy for Native youth and also developed the Chief Standing Bear endowed scholarship program for Native students. Most recently, she has facilitated the development of an advisory board dedicated to the renovation and repurposing of the historic Dr. La Flesche hospital in Walthill, Nebraska.

BIO

Senator Lou Ann Linehan was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2016 and represents Elkhorn, Valley, Waterloo and areas of Omaha and Millard west of 180th Street. Senator Linehan is chairman of the Revenue Committee and serves on the Education Committee. 

In the Legislature, Senator Linehan has focused on improving education and tax reform. She successfully championed passage of two key education initiatives in 2018. One ensures assessment and support for children with dyslexia, and the other makes reading a classroom priority so children with reading challenges are identified in grade school and receive the help they need to succeed. As Revenue Committee chair, she is leading the discussion on tax reform and introduced Governor Pete Ricketts’s property tax relief proposals.

Lou Ann was born and raised in rural Johnson County in Southeast Nebraska on a dairy farm her brother still operates. After attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lou Ann moved to Omaha where she became active in Republican politics. In 1996, she managed Chuck Hagel’s United States Senate campaign and upset victory making Hagel the first elected Republican U.S. Senator from Nebraska in 25 years. Following the election, Lou Ann served as Hagel’s chief of staff.

After President George W. Bush was elected in 2000, Lou Ann was appointed to serve as deputy assistant secretary for legislative affairs at the State Department under Colin Powell. She worked for the State Department on September 11, 2001, and the harrowing and historic days and months that followed.

In 2002, Lou Ann returned to Senator Chuck Hagel’s office as chief of staff. She worked on legislation that provided increased educational funding to disabled Americans through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, immigration reform, tax policy, Social Security and Medicare reform, climate change, trade policy, and international affairs policy that included the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

When Lou Ann left Senator Hagel’s office in 2007 to rejoin the Bush Administration, she was assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Baghdad as part of President Bush’s Iraq surge under the leadership of Ambassador Ryan Crocker and General David Petraeus. She worked in Iraq and at the State Department until the end of 2012 serving the last six months in Basra overseeing 1500 personnel.

Lou Ann retired from federal public service in 2012 and returned to Nebraska making Elkhorn her home. She is a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Elkhorn and has four children, three of whom live in Nebraska, and six grandchildren. 

BIO

Tiffany Smiley is currently CEO and Founder of Tiffany Smiley Consulting and President and Co-Founder of Hope Unseen, a highly successful public speaking firm.  She has been featured on CBS News, CNN, C-SPAN, Dr. Phil, Fox News, The Katie Couric Show as well as in major publications such as People Magazine, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. 

Prior to that, Ms. Smiley served as a triage nurse and in other health professional roles.  She is a graduate of Whitworth University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Ms. Smiley has been a fierce advocate for American veterans, working with high-ranking politicians, lobbyists and the President to secure much-needed services.  She runs her consultancy and other businesses from Pasco, WA, where she lives with her husband and three sons.

Tiffany Smiley is an author, motivational speaker, media personality and consultant who helps others discover and harness their unique “superpower” by fearlessly confronting and overcoming life’s challenges.  Her specialized approach to tackling obstacles head-on has helped men and women across the world rise above the seemingly insurmountable to achieve their most ambitious goals, from entrepreneurs fiercely transforming their vision into reality to c-suite executives driven by global excellence. 

Through her speaking to major corporations, non-profits and civic groups, Ms. Smiley’s inspirational, resilience-based teachings provide invaluable tools that break through the status quo and lead to extraordinary results in financial performance, organizational impact and employee well-being and productivity.  

Recognizing the special challenges that women face in business, Ms. Smiley has also created the More Than Me conference tour, a live community forum for ambitious “women of vision” to make meaningful connections, share their life-altering stories, realize their true worth and learn how to similarly inspire their family, friends and community.  These conferences feature an impressive lineup of accomplished women with real-world stories about achieving the impossible, as well as the opportunity to tap into experts in a variety of fields, including personal development, business coaching, entrepreneurship and financial acumen.         

As outlined in all of her platforms, Ms. Smiley's results-driven methods are founded on:

• Owning Your Superpower: discovering your unique life purpose by confronting and overcoming adversity
• Reaching Out: connecting with others to help and be helped
• Advancing Fearlessly - moving bravely forward for results

To light a path for others, Ms. Smiley combines her education, training and personal experience as a triage nurse, start-up co-founder and victor in a David-and-Goliath battle against the US government into a powerful, practical guide for succeeding in spite of hardship of any kind — from dealing with life’s daily difficulties to office politics to the worst imaginable tragedy. 

1A - 8 Rules of Thumb to Financial Health: One Step at a Time

BIO

Amanda Schroeder is the Wells Fargo at Work Senior Program Manager.  The program is offered to Wells Fargo business customers as a benefit of their banking relationship.  The program supports the financial health of our business customers’ employees by bringing critical financial tools and expertise to help them achieve their goals and dreams.  Amanda supports approximately 850 team members throughout the state of Nebraska.  She is responsible for developing business relationships with existing customers by partnering with their Business Banking Relationship Managers, as well as planning and executing financial education seminars.  Over the last five years Amanda has delivered hundreds of seminars. In addition, she also works to coach and develop the presentation skills of those she supports.

In 2011, Amanda started with the Community Bank.  She joined Wells Fargo after an 11 year career in travel and tourism, spending the last few years working in the cruise ship industry. The common thread between the two that drives Amanda is customer service.  She has a deep passion for service to others and being able to engage customers by delivering proper support around their needs.

A native of Nebraska, Amanda is earning a bachelor’s degree in Project Management from Bellevue University.  She serves as Volunteer Liaison for the Wells Fargo Omaha Volunteer Chapter supporting the Green Team, Latin Team Member Network and Women’s Team Member Network.  For the past five years Amanda has participated in P4K mentoring with 3^rd and 4^th graders at Belvedere Elementary School in Omaha, Ne.  This last year Amanda was named the Wells Fargo’s 2018 Nebraska Volunteer of the Year.

She lives in Omaha with her husband Dustin and two children Zaknafein and Anduin.

1B - Saving for Education: The Ins and Outs of a 529 Plan

Take a deep-dive to learn more about how a 529 college savings plan can help you or your loved one save for college, technical, vocational training, and other educational expenses. Hear from industry experts as well as representatives from the Nebraska State Treasurer’s office that administers the plan.

BIO

Deborah joined First National Bank of Omaha in 2010 and is the Managing Director, Savings Plans including Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans (NEST Direct, NEST Advisor, State Farm 529 and TD Ameritrade 529 College Savings Plans) and the Enable Savings Plan and Enable Savings Plan Alabama.  She is responsible for all aspects of development, implementation, continuous improvement and management. Her experience includes over 25 years in the financial services industry including launching proprietary mutual funds for TIAA-CREF and college savings plans at TIAA-CREF, Citigroup, and Legg Mason.  She has been Chair and Vice Chair of several committees of the College Savings Plan Network and an active member of many of their committees.

Deborah holds the Series 7 FINRA securities license.  In addition, she holds an MPA/MUP from New York University, Graduate of Public Administration, and a BA from Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. 

1B - Saving for Education: The Ins and Outs of a 529 Plan

Take a deep-dive to learn more about how a 529 college savings plan can help you or your loved one save for college, technical, vocational training, and other educational expenses. Hear from industry experts as well as representatives from the Nebraska State Treasurer’s office that administers the plan.

BIO

Cari Kaup has been a member of the 529 College Savings Division of Union Bank & Trust since 2001.  Ms. Kaup has twenty years of banking/finance experience including eighteen years working exclusively with 529 Plans.  During those eighteen years, she has served in various Customer Care and Marketing roles and is currently a Vice President at Union Bank.  In this role she oversees customer service efforts for the college savings division and serves as a relationship manager for the 529 relationships with the bank’s state partners.  She has conducted presentations across the country to educate investors and financial advisors about the benefits of investing with a 529 Plan.  Ms. Kaup has taken a leadership role in growing and enhancing the nationally recognized College Savings Programs that Union Bank has managed as they evolved over the last eighteen years.  She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. 

Union Bank & Trust is a $29 billion financial institution headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.  One of Union Bank’s areas of expertise is 529 programs, with over $13 billion in managed assets.  The 529 plans managed by the bank have been nationally recognized by Morningstar as some of the elite programs in the country. 

1C - Building Your Brand

Join us as we discuss how to sharpen your personal brand.  The brand you build around yourself is perhaps the single most important way you can stand out in your spheres of influence.   It’s crucial that you understand that personal branding is the means by which people remember you.

In this class you will learn tips for dressing for success, resume tips, how to stay true to “your” brand, and know who your target audience should be.

BIO

Carrie Jensen has been with Union Pacific Railroad for 14 years and currently works as a manager in training delivery.  She has held administrative and training positions in Marketing & Sales, developed and organized Annual Operating Training for the Operating department, reaching 2,200 front line leaders, launched managerial effectiveness strategy and successfully assisted hundreds of people on their personal and professional journeys. 

In her current role, she is helping create a culture that strives for excellence through teamwork by working with emerging leaders, individuals, teams, and senior leadership.

Carrie is also a past president of our LGBT employee resource group, BRIDGES, and for the last decade, has been an active member and committee chair in our women’s employee resource group, LEAD. 

Carrie graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelor of Science in Management.  She is a Nebraska native, is married, has have five awesome children, and two beautiful grandchildren.

1C - Building Your Brand

Join us as we discuss how to sharpen your personal brand.  The brand you build around yourself is perhaps the single most important way you can stand out in your spheres of influence.   It’s crucial that you understand that personal branding is the means by which people remember you.

In this class you will learn tips for dressing for success, resume tips, how to stay true to “your” brand, and know who your target audience should be.

BIO

Veronica Ploetz is the Sr. Manager of Training Delivery at Union Pacific. In this role she leads a team of talent development professionals who create, curate, and deliver experiential learning to individual contributors, managers and company leaders throughout their career. Ploetz is responsible for setting the training and professional development strategy for the company’s management workforce.

Ploetz joined Union Pacific in 2013, and served as a benefits communication project manager within the HR Shared department. She transitioned into the role of instructional designer, where she managed creating workshop training for employees and onboarded over 500 employees and interns to the company.

Ploetz is a certified Emergenetics® Associate and certified Professional of Human Resources (PHR).

She currently serves as the Director of Social Media for the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Nebraska chapter, and recently received the Community Impact Award. As a member of the LEAD employee resource group at Union Pacific, Ploetz is chair of the Human Trafficking Awareness committee. As a member of the BRIDGES ERG she is a LGBTQI ally and advocate.

1D - Avoiding Identity Theft and Preventing Fraud

BIO

Katie Shuck is a Cybersecurity Champion with a passion for developing usable security and privacy, as well as working with cryptography.  She is a speaker for the SBS Institute as well as an instructor and blog author with Dakota State University’s CybHER program, where she educates and motivates girls and women to pursue degrees and careers in the Cyber Sciences.  She also teaches the importance of understanding how the use of technology impacts our security, safety, and privacy.  Katie has previously served in educational roles teaching Operation Security (OPSEC) to military families, as a middle and high school educator, and as a corporate trainer in the U.S. and abroad. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Spanish from St. Louis University and is currently pursuing a degree in Cyber Operations with a Certificate of Cryptography from Dakota State University.

1E - Becoming a proactive planner: What is an estate plan, a living will, and why should I have one?

Have you thought about your assets and personal possessions and who would get them after you are gone? Sometimes life events force us to address life issues we would rather not. In this workshop, we talk about decisions you should make now to alleviate a burden later to your loved ones. We will cover factors you should consider when passing on your possessions, goals you want to accomplish, distribution options and consequences, and conflict resolution.

BIO

Karisa D. Johnson was born in Columbus, Mississippi, and criss-crossed the globe with her parents and sister growing up in a military family.  After graduating from high school in Oklahoma, she moved to Nebraska to attend college.  She attended Nebraska Methodist College where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001. After obtaining her license as a Registered Nurse, she attended law school, graduating Cum Laude from Creighton University School of Law in 2004.  Soon after graduating, she joined the firm of Ballew, Schneider, Covalt, Gaines & Engdahl, PC LLO as an associate, where she worked for 3 years before co-founding her current firm, Koukol & Johnson, LLC.  Since then, Karisa has continued to diligently represent clients in family law, collections, civil litigation, and business formation and governance matters.  Karisa is an experienced trial and appellate attorney who further advises and assists her clients with ancillary concerns including simple estate planning.  She is a member of the American Bar Association and Nebraska State Bar Association, serving as a member of the Legal Services Committee at the state level since 2015.  In 2012, she received training through the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Office of Dispute Resolution to act as a Parenting Act mediator, and now mediates and facilitates cases as a neutral, the majority of which involve high levels of parental conflict or evidence of domestic violence. She is a member of the Nebraska Mediation Association, and is an affiliated mediator with the Douglas County Conciliation Court and Concord Mediation Center.

Ms. Johnson focuses her practice in the area of family law and alternative dispute resolution.  In connection therewith, she is a trained Collaborative Lawyer, and a member of the Nebraska Academy of Collaborative Professionals, who assist clients primarily with domestic relations matters involving a commitment to settlement for the benefit of minor children. When peaceful resolution of disputes is not possible, she vigorously represents clients in all levels of Nebraska state courts, and is licensed in the federal courts in the District of Nebraska and in the 8^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

When not practicing law, Karisa enjoys spending time with her son and daughter, who have a particular fondness for escape rooms, Nebraska football, and Harry Potter. 

2A - Know your credit score? Tips to improve your FICO score before making a major purchase

Understanding your credit score is essential to getting the best interest rate when purchasing a house or an automobile. In this session, learn what activities impact your credit score negatively and positively and how to avoid common mistakes right before making a major purchase.

BIO

Julie Strohfus is the Vice President of Consumer Lending at Cobalt Credit Union where she manages loan underwriting, as well as the credit card and loan processing departments. She has been with Cobalt since 2003 and after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, she received her Master’s degree from Bellevue University. Julie has spent the majority of her professional career in banking and financial services. She develops and markets new loan products and maintains federal and state regulations for the credit union. She is involved in a number of causes in the Omaha and Council Bluffs communities and is an avid Husker fan. When she’s not giving back to her community, Julie loves spending time with her husband, Randy, and their dog, Bentley.

2B - ABLE: Giving those with disabilities the ability to save

For years a special needs trust was the only vehicle that persons with disabilites had available to save. Thanks to the ABLE program, these individuals and their families can now save without fear of losing benefits given to them because of their disability. Learn about this unique investment tool that is federally tax-deferred and tax-free, if used for qualified disability expenses.

BIO

Diane joined First National Bank in 2017. As the Outreach Specialist, Diane facilitates product training to diverse audiences ranging from personalized presentations to remote or on-line-based forums.  Participating in community outreach programs is a key focus and development of relationships with partners and centers of influence. Diane has over 30 years of Banking Experience and Decades of serving in Leadership roles with Local Non-profits such as United Cerebral Palsy and Quality Living, Inc.

2C - Weathering the Storm: Navigating your long term financial plan no matter the forecast

Are your investments needing attention before a big storm? Whatever the global market forecast and frenzy – Examine your portfolio with a careful and disciplined approach to building, maintaining, and transitioning your wealth.

BIO

Over 30 years in the financial industry has helped Kevin develop his planning expertise and goal-driven approach to working with clients. He has played a key role in Cornhusker Bank’s wealth management services team since 2000, and is dedicated to helping you understand your financial planning path while finding the financial confidence you need for the future. 

2D - What to Do When Mom or Dad Dies

It is never easy to lose a parent -- it's even more difficult when you have responsibility as executor of the estate or are power of attorney. Learn about the difference between the two and how to navigate issues regarding the death tax, life insurance, executing wills, and estate plans.

BIO

Teresa helps her clients gain peace of mind in reducing their financial insecurities. She cares about her clients financial health, so helping them to understand what they should be doing and how they should be doing it is what she’s most passionate about. While the majority of her clients are families, helping women through transitions in their lives is one of her passions. Teresa believes that no matter how the circumstance of transition comes about, you do have options to be prepared. Teresa uses her experience to focus on her client’s long-term goals.

2E - Planning Ahead: What types of insurance make sense for you?

Insurance may be one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make. Find out how much you need, and how your family will benefit. You will also learn about different products and types of insurance including, life, long term care, and disability.

Bio

Heidi Kalafut has been with Mutual of Omaha since 2012. She started her career out with life and health insurance licenses and quickly went on to get her investment licenses. Heidi was promoted to Field Sales Consultant in 2014 to help coach, mentor and educate new agents into the business. In 2017 she obtained her Investment  Advisor license to better serve her clients’ needs for retirement planning.  As a Financial Advisor she is able to help her clients work towards their financial goals by implementing strategies designed to grow and protect their assets with the proper insurances in place alongside savings and investments.

Heidi currently lives in Bennington, NE with her husband, Kalvin, and 3 year old daughter, Ava.

She holds FINRA series 6, 63 and 65 U.S. Securities industry licenses and is licensed in the following states: NE, IA, SD, IL, WY, GA, FL, AK.

Credentials:

Heidi earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Iowa along with an Entrepreneurial Certificate from the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. Heidi offers securities and investment advisory services through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

3A - Defeating Debt: Freedom to live within your means

Learn about practical ways to pay off debt — the difference bad debt and good debt, and how to create a fund for those unexpected emergencies that we all face. We will also talk about the dangers of various pay day loan programs.

BIO

Cynthia Campbell is the VP of Enterprise Project Management for BALANCE, a national non-profit that delivers financial education and counseling to consumers. Cynthia is a strategist, a corporate communicator, and a project executor. In this role, she is responsible for completion of mission-critical projects.

Cynthia previously served as a VP of Innovation and Strategy at Oklahoma Central Credit Union, Director of Innovation Labs at the Filene Research institute, and VP of Financial Empowerment at Tinker Federal Credit Union. Her entire career has been focused on financial health with a particular focus on the under-resourced.

Cynthia holds a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from Elmhurst College in Illinois, and a master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. Cynthia is part of the Global Women Leadership Network and is a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE).  She is passionate about financial capability, innovation, user experience, yoga, and dogs. 

3B - Saving for the Future - It's Never Too Early, It's Never Too Late!

Finding creative ways now to build your assets up for later in life. Help understand the emotional attachment that can be just as powerful to save as it is to spend. Learn how to teach this valuable lesson to your children.

BIO

Julie Kalkowski is the Executive Director of the Financial Hope Collaborative at Creighton University.  By connecting financial stress to poor health outcomes, Julie was able to secure a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to replicate a previous study that showed improved health outcomes for single mothers through the Collaborative’s financial education and coaching model. Julie’s commitment to connecting low income families to the financial mainstream has led to Omaha’s first Micro Enterprise Program, Nebraska’s first Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Program, the Omaha EITC Coalition, Bank on the Heartland, and positioned Nebraska as the second state to offer the Save to Win Program. Today, Julie continues to combine policy and programs to promote social mobility in Omaha, NE.

3C - Investing 101 - Getting Started is Half the Battle

Learn about some of the best types of savings and investing tools. Learn about the power of compound interest as we discuss 401K’s, 403b’s, Roth IRA’s, and IRA’s.

BIO

Barbara is a Financial Planner with the Private Client Advisory and Financial Planning teams within the Wealth Management group at First National Bank. She specializes in providing comprehensive and personalized financial planning that incorporates investment, retirement, tax, protection and estate planning strategies.

CREDENTIALS

Barbara earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Texas Christian University. She spent 20 years of her career in corporate finance before deciding to pursue a more rewarding path of financial planning for individuals. Barbara is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®). In addition, she is actively involved with the Financial Planning Association of Nebraska.

PASSIONS

Barbara’s compassion for animals is evident by her long-time involvement with the Nebraska Humane Society and the Friends Forever Board. On any given weekend, you will catch her Dining with Dogs, Walking for the Animals, or mixing it up at Black Tie & Tails. Family time is spent exploring the world with her husband, road-tripping across the Midwest for lacrosse tournaments with their boys, and trying to teach their Brittany that squirrels are not the enemy.

3D - From Idea to Action: How to start a Business

What are some of the factors to consider when starting a small business? What is the difference between a C-Corp and a LLC? Where do I look for help in creating a business plan? Are there SBA loans or other financing options for my business?

BIO

Jane Ferneding has been with U.S. Bank for 17 years, the past 4 years in her current role. Previous to her time with U.S. Bank she was a small business owner for 15 years. 

3E - How You Can Harness Your Financial Power

Women are not only playing a key role in daily finances, we’re also taking more of an active part in managing investment portfolios and 401k(s). Join TD Ameritrade in a candid conversation where you can find your focus and begin to chart your path with education resources. Whether you’re a novice investor or an experienced trader, the valuable insight can help you can gain the knowledge to become a better informed and more confident investor.

BIO

Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @SLewicky_TDA

Stephanie Lewicky is the Senior Manager of Futures and Forex, TD Ameritrade Futures and Forex, LLC.

A veteran of the financial markets for 20 years, Stephanie is responsible for the strategy that grows TD Ameritrade’s Futures business through client acquisition, product development, and investor education.  Stephanie also serves as a regular contributor on the TD Ameritrade Network.

Stephanie has been with TD Ameritrade and thinkorswim since 2004. She managed order routing for retail trading, maintained existing and developed new vendor relationships, and promoted client advocacy. When TD Ameritrade acquired thinkorswim in 2009, Stephanie played a vital role in the company’s clearing conversion. Then in 2014, she accepted a position within TD Ameritrade’s Trader Group as Project Manager for thinkpipes, working in tandem with the Institutional Trader Desk and Trading Services team. Stephanie has also worked for firms including Peak6 and Griffin, Kubik, Stephens & Thompson.

Stephanie has a degree in finance from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. She holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 3, 24, and 55 U.S. securities industry licenses.