TEN

In this episode of the Tech Entrepreneurs Nebraska (TEN) Podcast , Shonna Dorsey with the Aksarben Foundation and Brian Poppe with Mutual of Omaha sit down with AI enthusiast and founder of 180 Labs, Nick Kramer , to talk about pivoting a career, demystifying AI, and why Nebraska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem surprised him—in the best way. Nick shares: How he went from Fortune 100 corporate trainer...

In this episode of TEN, visit about Omaha’s growing tech ecosystem with Cox Communications. Guest co-host Rob Trebilcock joins the conversation as we welcome Blaine Ross of RapidScale, a Cox Business company, to discuss how local businesses are navigating IT challenges, cybersecurity, and AI adoption. We also explore the increasing demand for tech talent in Omaha and how companies are adapting to...

Megan Hale, founder of Dream Money, shares how she transformed an Excel spreadsheet into a financial planning software that helps entrepreneurs scale. She dives into the importance of understanding revenue and expenses, especially as a female founder, and the journey of building this tool with an all-female dev team. She also previews the Dream Bigger Summit on March 7, 2025, in Omaha, NE—a high-e...

In this episode of The TEN Podcast , host LaShonna Dorsey, Executive Director of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative and internNE, Powered by Aksarben, sits down with Nash Mahupete, President & CEO of QLI. Nash shares his incredible journey from Zimbabwe to Omaha, where he began his career at QLI as a caregiver and, over 25 years, rose to become the organization's third CEO. They dive into QLI’s e...

In this episode of Tech Entrepreneurs, Nebraska , host LaShonna Dorsey , Executive Director of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative and internNE, Powered by Aksarben, sits down with Shari Collins , founder of Shari Collins Consulting. A passionate advocate for creating better workplaces, Shari shares her unique journey from education to entrepreneurship, her insights on workplace culture, and how mento...

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, we’re joined by Nate Watson, founder of the Omaha Data Science Academy, a trade school on a mission to shape the future of tech talent development. We discuss how their programs help companies upskill their workforce, empower individuals to launch careers in tech, and integrate AI into everyday workflows to boost productivity. Here’s what we cover: 🎓 Tech skill...

Host LaShonna Dorsey talks with Dr. Stephanie Kidd, Communications Strategist at UNMC and founder of Opportunity Corps. They discuss breaking barriers in entrepreneurship through mentorship and training programs for women in STEAM and Black entrepreneurs. Hear how Opportunity Corps pairs participants with innovative projects and fosters leadership, diversity, and community connections.

In this episode of Tech Entrepreneurs Nebraska (TEN) , host LaShonna Dorsey welcomes Sheila Fields, owner of BeFields Solutions and founder of the Bobby Byars Foundation, who shares her journey in tech—from leading global projects to mentoring entrepreneurs. Sheila discusses her work with Opportunity Corps, her role in licensing new tech innovations, and how her foundation supports workforce devel...

In this episode of TEN, cohosts LaShonna Dorsey, Executive Director of Nebraska Tech Collaborative and internNE, Powered by Aksarben, and Brian Poppe, SVP at Mutual of Omaha, are joined by repeat guest CharDale Barnes, CEO and Co-Founder of Stable Gray. CharDale shares the exciting evolution of The Content Parlor, a social club designed to address the challenges faced by content creators. From pro...

In this episode of TEN: Tech Entrepreneurs, Nebraska, host LaShonna Dorsey sits down with Dorothy Johnson, VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Gener8tor, for an insightful conversation about tech, community impact, and the importance of diverse investments. Dorothy, a North Omaha native and a two-time guest on the podcast, shares her journey from engineering student to a DEI leader across 47...

In this episode of the TEN podcast, host Shonna Dorsey sits down with Brian Ardinger , Director of Innovation at Nelnet and founder of Inside Outside Innovation, to dive into his incredible journey of fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the Midwest. Brian shares insights on building the InMotion Accelerator , the growth of the Inside Outside Innovation Summit , and how corporate and start...

In this episode of TEN, host LaShonna Dorsey from the Aksarben Foundation and Nebraska Tech Collaborative sits down with Kimberly Parks , Sr. Director, Business Development at Capstone IT, to discuss her inspiring 20+-year career in the tech industry. Kimberly shares her journey from starting in a non-tech sales role to becoming a leader in software consulting, providing valuable insights on navig...

Join LaShonna Dorsey, Executive Director of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, as she hosts an insightful discussion with two leaders from Conagra Brands – Jessica Barry, Manager IT - Software Development, Testing Automation, and AI Delivery, and Andy Xydakis, Chief Technology Officer. In this episode, they explore Conagra’s innovative approach to internships and educator externships, discussing how...

In this episode of TEN: Innovating Civic Engagement, host Shonna Dorsey sits down with entrepreneur Heather Nelson, founder of Ideologix Insights, a new data analytics company in Omaha. Heather shares her inspiring journey of launching multiple companies, with a special focus on her latest innovation, Pull the Vote—a nonpartisan, civic engagement platform designed to connect voters with their elec...

In this episode of TEN, host Shonna Dorsey, Executive Director of Nebraska Tech Collaborative, sits down with Devon Secrest, CEO and Co-founder of CodeBuddy. In just 10 minutes, they unpack the fascinating evolution of CodeBuddy from its inception to its current status as an innovative force in software development. Devon shares the surprising pivot from an "Airbnb for garages" concept to addressi...

In this eye-opening episode of TEN, host LaShonna Dorsey explores an innovative solution to Nebraska's tech talent shortage. Malika Yadgarova from Don't Panic Labs and Sue Lobsiger from Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) share their collaborative journey in creating the "Pathways" program. This initiative transforms MUD employees from various backgrounds into skilled tech professionals, address...

Shonna Dorsey chats with Ashlei Spivey, a North Omaha entrepreneur and social justice advocate. Discover Ashlei's journey from launching diverse businesses to founding I Be Black Girl, Nebraska's first reproductive justice organization. Learn how she's innovating in business, community development, and policy advocacy. This 10-minute episode packs insights on adapting to challenges, filling commun...

In this episode of TEN, host Brian Poppe sits down with TD Saunders, the dynamic CEO and Publisher of the Omaha Star. TD shares her remarkable journey from certified balloon artist to leading Nebraska's oldest Black-owned newspaper. Prepare to be inspired by TD's commitment to preserving the legacy of the Omaha Star, her innovative approach to transforming the publication, and her exciting plans f...

In this episode of the TEN podcast, hosts LaShonna Dorsey and Brian Poppe sit down with Marisa Hattab, a culture strategist and entrepreneur. Marisa shares her fascinating journey from Ohio to Omaha, detailing her transition from roles in education and nonprofit leadership to becoming the DEI officer for the county, and finally venturing into full-time consulting. Marisa discusses her expertise as...

In this fast-paced episode of the TEN Podcast, host LaShonna Dorsey and guest host Megan Bell sit down with Mark Floersch, President and Founder of Catch Intelligence. Mark shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting his data-focused company 22 years ago in the wake of 9/11. Discover how Catch Intelligence helps organizations transform raw data into actionable insights and learn about their evolu...

In this inspiring episode of TEN, host Shonna Dorsey explores a groundbreaking partnership that's changing the face of tech in Nebraska. Jim Richards, President of Capstone IT, and David Pollock, Founder of Code Black Tech, join forces to discuss their innovative approach to bringing diverse talent into the tech industry. This episode offers valuable takeaways for both aspiring tech professionals...

In this engaging episode of TEN, host LaShonna Dorsey sits down with Nick Schreck, Dean of Business at Midland University. Discover how Midland is revolutionizing tech education by blending crucial soft skills with technical expertise. Nick shares insights on their pioneering digital marketing program, the importance of networking, and how businesses can connect with emerging talent. Learn about:...

In this episode of the TEN podcast, host Shonna Dorsey is joined by tech community leaders Charlie Cuddy with the Nebraska Startup Academy and Jess Collicott with Lunavi to explore the dynamics of tech ecosystem building and regional support across Nebraska. Our guests explore the challenges and opportunities of organizing events in different parts of the state, highlighting the importance of coll...

In this episode of the TEN podcast, host Shonna Dorsey and guest host Megan Bell welcome Josh DeMers, Program Manager of The Combine, an AgTech Incubator. Josh shares insights into The Combine's mission to revolutionize AgTech innovation in Nebraska, nurturing startups from idea stage to commercialization. Learn about their unique "rooted in reality" approach, connecting founders with local produc...

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Tim Jares, Dean of the College of Business and Technology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). We discuss Tim’s unique role, the innovative programs at UNK, and the importance of internships and experiential learning. Tune in to hear about the exciting projects and partnerships at UNK, including a pilot program with Werner Enterprises and the upc...