Michelle Bandur

Television Journalist

Michelle is an investigative reporter at KETV NewsWatch 7.

Her talk is titled, 'My Big Fat Nose.'

Michelle is very active and has participated in 5 Ironmans and is currently training for her sixth. She also competes in triathlons. Michelle is the co-founder of a a girls tri club, a free program for young women.

Bobby Brumfield

Security Advisor

Bobby is a Security Advisor at Crisis Prevention, Response and Recovery.

The 2018 speaker's talk is titled, 'Human Connection is the Foundation of Security Strategy'.

Bobby has traveled the entire country of Belize and plans on floating down the Amazon with his brother in the future.



Tim Guthrie

Artist, Filmmaker and Professor of Journalism, Media & Computing at Creighton University

Tim is a renowned artist and filmmaker, he is also a Professor of Journalism, Media & Computing at Creighton University.

Tim’s talk is titled 'An Artist’s Journey Through Love and Loss.'

Tim was part of a 2006 Independent Artist Fellowship, Distinguished Artist: Filmmaker, from the Nebraska Arts Council Best Documentary award and 2017 Humanitarian Award (Global Independent Film Awards) among a couple dozen awards for his film ‘Missing Piece.’



Cy Wakeman

New York Times Best Selling Author

Cy will be presenting a talk called 'Ditch the Drama - How to Live Happy in A Messy World.'

Cy is an established New York Times Best Selling Author and a mother of eight.

She has been voted #18 on the Global Guru’s list of Top 30 Leadership Professionals for 2017 along with named one of the “Top 100 Leadership Experts to Follow” on Twitter.



Meg Hertzel Busing

Executive Director of the Midwest YouCan Foundation and a registered nurse

Meg is an Executive Director of the Midwest YouCan Foundation and a registered nurse.

Her talk is entitled 'Yes You Can.'

Meg has won a number of awards, including: the Alice Friedlander Honor Scholarship from UNMC, the 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award from the Nebraska Action Coalition in 2017 and the Courage Award from the Lancaster County Women’s Commission Women in Sports, just to name a few!

Miah Sommer

Founder and Executive Director at The Bike Union Mentoring Project

Miah is the founder and Executive Director at The Bike Union Mentoring Project.

Miah's talk is titled, 'How nonprofits can miss the individual.'

Miah is a volunteer and business coach at the local prison. He has had several plays produced through the Shelterbelt Theater and has one play published in an anthology.

Miah also spends his free time making money on analog media on e-bay. For example, he recently sold an old cassette tape for $1,000.

Dr. Jeff Snell

QLI'S director of psychology and neuropsychology services

Dr. Snell is QLI'S director of psychology and neuropsychology services.

Jeff's talk is titled, 'Catastrophe is in the eye of the beholder.'

Jeff is a fan of having the latest technology and works to get the latest gadgets.

He is a life-long learner who is happy with his career because it's not only an option, it's a requirement!

Lacey Studnicka

Director of Advancement for Community Services at Lutheran Family Services

Lacey is Director of Advancement for Community Services at Lutheran Family Services.

Lacey's talk is titled, 'Meet One: The Power of Welcoming Refugees.'

Lacey is the mother of four. She met her husband in an Indian restaurant and they had THREE different weddings!

Matt Walker

Composer and Musician

Matt is one-half of synth-pop duo Vital Organs, a composer with the performance ensemble aetherplough and senior exhibit designer at the Omaha Children's Museum.

Matt's performance is called, 'From What To Where.'

A fun fact about Matt is Bob Ross is his hero.

Dan Howell

President of Howell Consulting

Dan is the president at Howell Consulting. Dan has been the president for over 30 years and has leadership experience both as a CEO and a consultant.

Dan is a proud father of 5 children, 3 grandchildren, 2 dogs and a cat who can open up doors by himself.