Theme: Time to Engage

This year, we have chosen the theme of ‘Time to Engage’. Through the voices, ideas and experiences of ten inspiring speakers and performers from our community, we will explore together what engagement, disengagement and reengagement means in the world in which we live, work and play.
During our lives we engage with people, groups, ideas, causes, and then we disengage, sometimes through reasons beyond our control. Are we just flotsam to drift without meaning, or are we driven by a sense of purpose? Are we active or passive in our actions and relationships? How and why do individuals and groups become engaged or disengaged and what causes reengagement whether at work, in our communities, at a local, national or global level.
Sometimes the decisions are made for us, sometimes it is a deliberate action. What are the sparks that drive us and what are the cycles that move us to action? Does passion or curiosity drive the researchers, writers, artists, engineers, and scientists within and amongst us, and what engages our imagination and curiosity to discover new ideas and break boundaries.
We invite you to join us and a group of extraordinary people who have experienced what “Time to Engage” means and how it has impacted their lives and the lives of others.

Heider College of Business
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, Nebraska, 68178
United States

A.M "Bobby" Brumfield

Security Advisor at Crisis Prevention, Response and Recovery

Bobby Brumfield is a former Law Enforcement Detective, Federal Bureau of Investigations Safe Streets Task Force member & Special Staff Advisor to Commanding Officers of U.S. Marine Corps Regimental Combat Teams who assisted in the operational development & support of Policing & Security strategies in Afghanistan. He supports women empowerment & believes in promoting inclusive societies for sustainable development. He is also the Co-Founder and Governance Committee Chair for the Men Against Domestic Violence Action Coalition (MADVAC).

Cy Wakeman

President and Founder of Reality-Based Leadership

Cy Wakeman is a drama researcher, global thought-leader, and New York Times best-selling author recognized for her reality-based approach to leadership and life. Recognized for her reality-based approach to leadership and life. Deemed “the secret weapon to restoring sanity to the workplace,” her Reality-Based Leadership Philosophy has helped thousands of organizations like Facebook, Google, Pfizer, and National Institutes of Health learn to harness energy wasted in drama and reinvest that effort into achieving profound results and true employee engagement.

Dan Howell

President at Howell Consulting

Dan Howell is the President of Howell Consulting, with over 30 years leadership experience both as a CEO & a consultant. He has helped to positively transform numerous organizations. As a valued speaker & facilitator, he enjoys sharing ideas on transformational leadership & assisting organizations in redesigning themselves to assure individuals with developmental disabilities enjoy a productive life in community settings. He believes in leading people with humor & kindness.

Jeff Snell

Neuropsychologist and Director of Psychology and Neuropsychology Services at QLI

Dr. Jeff Snell is a neuropsychologist & Director of Psychology & Neuropsychology Services at QLI, a nationally recognized program for the rehabilitation of individuals & families whose lives have been affected by brain & spinal cord injuries or stroke. For over twenty years, he has infused the concepts of positive psychology into the fabric of QLI’s clinical program & corporate culture. Widely published, he presents nationally on the dynamics of the human brain & how it relates to behavior, cognition & emotion.

Lacey Studnicka

Director of Advancement for Community Services at Lutheran Family Services of NE

Lacey Studnicka, has dedicated 15 years to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community for refugees in the United States. She oversees programs from volunteer management, faith community sponsorships, career mentoring, refugee arts programming, and creating a refugee speakers’ bureau, and the refugee co-sponsorship program and volunteer program that has gained national recognition as a best practice model for church and community engagement. A champion of the most vulnerable in our community, her impassioned advocacy for refugees has led to her being profiled for local, national, and international media, most recently by PBS and NBC.

Matt Walker

Musician and Composer

Matt Walker is a musician, carpenter, and installation artist from Omaha, Nebraska. He is one-half of synthpop duo Vital Organs and a composer with the performance ensemble aetherplough. Currently, he is working on his debut solo album, to be released in 2019. A senior exhibit designer at the Omaha Children's Museum, Matt has been engineering interactive displays since 2011. His interdisciplinary work has been featured at the Bemis Underground, Polyester, Kaneko, Omaha Magazine, and other venues.

Meg Busing

Executive Director of the Midwest YouCan Foundation and Registered Nurse

Meg Busing knows that everything can change in an instant. After emerging from a coma with a traumatic brain injury that would lead to a decade-long battle with intractable epilepsy, she discovered that the world does not always understand invisible challenges. However, nothing has stopped her from boldly pursuing her dreams. As founder and Executive Director of the Midwest YouCan Foundation, Meg has created Camp YouCan - a unique opportunity for kids & young adults with Epilepsy to come together to see all that they CAN do.

Miah Sommer

Founder and Executive Director at The Bike Union Mentoring Project

Miah Sommer is a social entrepreneur and founder and Executive Director of The Bike Union and Coffee, a non-profit bicycle shop and coffeehouse that provides workforce development and life skills to youth who have aged out of the foster care. Sommer also co-founded BUMP, an activity based mentoring organization designed to get youth outdoors using both mountain biking and hiking activities. An Omaha resident, Sommer enjoys spending time with his wife Katie, children Henry and Charlie and dog Willie. Spare time finds him reading, collecting vinyl records, and mountain biking

Michelle Bandur

Investigative reporter at Omaha ABC affiliate, KETV

Michelle Bandur's award winning career as a television journalist has put her in the path of deadly tornadoes, hurricanes, on Nebraska’s death row & inside the Los Angeles Lakers’ locker room. A native Omahan, she has worked at over 13 television stations. She has also produced a documentary & provides media consulting. She is active in the endurance sports community, regularly competes in triathlons, and has just completed her 6th Ironman competition. She co-founded a Juniors Tri Club - a free program for girls ages 8-14.

Tim Guthrie

A renowned artist and filmmaker

Tim Guthrie has been awarded Independent Artist Fellowships numerous times (Distinguished Artist, and Filmmaker) from the Nebraska Arts Council for his traditional & digital art, experimental animation & documentary films. He was also awarded Best Visual Artist, Best Show, & Best New Media Artist in 2015 by the Omaha Arts & Entertainment Awards, as well as Best Show in 2011, & both Best New Media Artist & Best Show in 2008. His films have also won numerous Best Documentary awards.