People – Nebraska: It Happens Here

Crysta Price

Crysta Price fell in love with data science as an undergraduate at Creighton University. Her undergraduate research project discovered the power of using data to combat issues like human trafficking. When that project morphed into a research and data company, Crysta found only Nebraska could offer the funding, community partners […]

DeWayne Taylor

Lincoln’s DeWayne Taylor is a man of many talents. After moving from St. Louis to Nebraska’s capital city in high school, he linked into an incredible network that has allowed him to pursue his dreams in the Cornhusker State! In 2017, DeWayne Taylor flew to L.A. to take “Host Coaching” […]

Tiago Rey

Santiago Pardo Rey spent his childhood on the plains of Colombia.He moved to Grand Island as a teenager, unable to speak a word of English.10 years later, he is the Program Director at Red 94.5 Lincoln.Tiago Rey proves if you can dream it, you can do it in the Cornhusker […]

Mike Smith

In 2009 Mike Smith was a social worker who noticed that kids needed a place to go. From that observation, The Bay was born. The skate park was a baby step to what is now a non-profit coffee shop, skate park, concert venue, community art space. Mike Smith is debt […]

Autumn Pruitt

In 2010, Autumn Hardy Pruitt and her husband, Luke Pruitt, opened a small bakery in Omaha that has since expanded to two additional brick and mortar locations. Four years ago, the Pruitt’s began roasting their own coffee under the Hardy Coffee Co. brand and worked to create a space that […]

Caleb Pollard

Caleb Pollard is a native Nebraskan living out his dream as the owner of Scratchtown Brewing Company. He found he had a passion for craft brewing, left his desk job and now lives his best life in Ord, Nebraska. Caleb is one of five owners at Scratchtown brewery, where they […]

Lukas Rix and Mark Kantiz

Lukas Rix and Mark Kantiz are shining examples of what can be achieved in small-town Nebraska with a bit of creativity, no small amount of decication and a lot of hard work. Natives of Lyons and Wayne, respectively, Lukas and Mark know the difficulties faced by rural communities. The duo […]

Shirley Peng

A California native, Shirley Peng didn’t intend to stay in Nebraska for the long haul. But the opportunities to lead, grow and make an impact on the lives of others kept emerging. A lawyer by trade, Shirley currently serves as the Low-Income Taxpayers Clinic director and manager of the Disaster […]

Shonna Dorsey

Shonna Dorsey was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. While earning a Masters degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she discovered her passion for supporting communities through technology. With an impressive resume, Shonna has contributed to many different companies and industries. She currently spends her time as a […]