Our Volunteer Leaders
We are a primarily volunteer-powered organization that thrives on the generosity of hundreds of volunteers focused on improving the quality of life for not only survivors, but our community.
We continue to grow by the outpouring of individual, business and organization support, a pay-it-forward spirit and the belief that supporting local survivors builds stronger families and creates a stronger community.
Board of Directors
David Sturgeon | President
Malinda Jepsen | Vice President
Jennifer Williams | Secretary
Lisa Ferrer | 5 Year Thriver | Treasurer
Lori Buckley | Board of Directors
Dr. Clay Hoberman | Board of Directors
Jovan M. Johnson | 8 Year Thriver | Board of Directors
Kelly Konen | 13 Year, 2X Thriver | Board of Directors
Carrie Novotony-Buss | 5 Year Thriver | Board of Directors
Julie Pabian | 16 Year, 2X Thriver | Board of Directors
Paid Staff
Shawn (McCarville) Garza | Executive Director
Malinda Jepsen | Interim Vice President of Operations
Melissa Hattle | Director of Administration
Mary Rehak | Program Manager
Executive Advisory Committee
Teresa Elliott | Survivor | CEO/Co-Owner NextHome Signature Real Estate
Rhonda Harvey | 3 Year Thriver | Sr. Recruiter Workforce Resources, Union Pacific
Peg Johnson | 11 Year Thriver | SVP, Global Head of Strategic Accounts, i2C, Inc.
Scott Leak, CFP® | Director of Business Development, FP Transitions
Janelle-Cheri Millen | MBBS, Nebraska Medicine
Brian Moen | Chief Marketing & Merchandise Officer, Oriental Trading Company
Stephanie Nichols, PHR, SHRM-CP | 3x 16 Year Survivor | Senior Strategic Account Executive, UnitedHealthcare
Dave Proksel | Nebraska Operations Manager, Vice President & Senior Underwriting Counsel, First American Title Insurance Company
Laura Roccaforte, M.Ed, SPHR | President & CEO, The Learning Exchange
Ashley Solt | 2 Year Thriver | Co-Owner & Vice President, Mesner Development Co.
Ryan Swartz, MBA, CFP | Partner/Managing Director, Creative Planning, LLC
