TEN

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, we're joined by special guest Brody Deren, entrepreneur, investor, and Chief Strategy Officer at NTC partner and donor Trility. Brody shares his journey in the technology service industry, from his early days in staff augmentation to co-founding Dynamo and eventually joining Trility. He discusses the complex and ambitious digital transformation projects he leads...

In the final episode of the limited TEN podcast sub series, Tech Culture, brought to you in collaboration with BetterCulture, yo'll hear from Kevin Hensel about Tenet 20, "Laughing Matter", and its critical role in shaping a positive workplace culture. We discuss the importance of setting a positive tone, the impact of laughter and fun, and how each of us can contribute to a vibrant, upbeat work e...

This episode of TEN features Natalie Micale, founder and CEO of Oh Hello, a boutique marketing agency. Natalie shares her journey from musical theater to entrepreneur, building a remote team with a focus on mentorship, and her passion for supporting women in tech. We discuss the importance of introducing young girls to coding and entrepreneurship, and how to create a more equitable tech space.

In this episode of the TEN podcast sub series "Tech Culture", a collaboration with BetterCulture, you'll hear from Kevin Hensel, Senior Consultant at Better Culture, about the concept of "unspeakables" in the workplace. Discover how unaddressed interactions filled with fear, anger, or hurt can degrade relationships and harm organizational culture. Learn strategies to tackle these challenging conve...

Nebraska's startup scene is booming, but are exits the missing puzzle piece? In this episode of TEN, we visit with Grant Maynard with NTC Partner Enterprise Legal Studio and explore why successful exits are crucial for long-term growth, especially with increased funding. Grant shares how legal support can empower Nebraska startups at every stage,and even offer tips on navigating trademark troubles...

This episode of the TEN podcast sub series Tech Culture, Shonna and Kevin explore the concept of tolerance and its importance in fostering a positive work environment. The key takeaway? Tolerance is about respecting people's differences, even if you don't agree with them. This creates a safe space for open communication and allows for collaboration despite diverse viewpoints on social issues or co...

In this episode of the TEN podcast, we are joined by special guest co-host Mike Smith and hear from Kim Rowell, Vice President at Cox Communications. Kim shares her journey in tech, her experiences as a woman in leadership, and the transformative impact of fiber technology and broadband access. Discover how Cox is leading the way in connectivity, from gigabit speeds to mobile integration, and thei...

In this episode of the TEN subseries Tech Culture series, in collaboration with Better Culture, you'll hear from Kevin Hensel about the crucial topic of "Standing Up" in the workplace. Discover how every individual, regardless of their position, can contribute to creating and maintaining a positive organizational culture. Learn practical tips on how to support your peers and leaders, and handle ch...

Welcome to the 100th episode of TEN - Tech Entrepreneurs Nebraska! In this special milestone episode, your host Shonna Dorsey from the Nebraska Tech Collaborative is joined by guest co-host Mike Smith from Rabble Mill and The Bay. We have an exciting conversation with Michael Struthers, a longtime advocate of Greater Omaha's startup and tech community. Michael shares his journey, including his rol...

Welcome to the latest episode of TEN with special guest co-host, Mike Smith, founder of The Bay in Lincoln and co-Executive Director of Rabble Mill and guest Kellee Mikuls, Executive Director of Ignite Nebraska. In this episode, Kellee shares her inspiring journey from founding and closing the startup SwishBoom, an Uber for babysitting, to her current role leading Ignite Nebraska, a workforce deve...

Welcome to the latest episode of the TEN Podcast subseries Tech Culture, a collaboration with Better Culture. In this episode. you will hear from Kevin Hensel, Senior Consultant at Better Culture, about the importance of accountability in the workplace via Tenant 16 of BetterCulture's 20 tenets, "Own It and Fix It". The discussion about this tenet focuses on the importance of how acknowledging and...

In this episode of TEN, Shonna Dorsey and Sam Hohman, President & CEO of Credit Advisors Foundation and Aksarben Foundation Councillor, dive into the critical issue of financial health in the tech workforce. They discuss the surprising statistics about high earners living paycheck to paycheck and the importance of managing debt effectively. Sam emphasizes the significance of living within one'...

In this episode of Tech Culture, we dive into the importance of workplace friendships. Shonna Dorsey, Executive Director of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, and Kevin Hensel, Senior Consultant with Better Culture, explore the 15th of the 20 tenets of Better Culture: Friends. Discover how having friends at work can enhance your enjoyment, provide psychological safety, and foster a supportive enviro...

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Jack Keating, the CEO and founder of Corral Technologies. Jack shares the journey of Corral Technologies, which offers an innovative solution similar to an invisible fence but for cows, allowing for easy containment, movement tracking, and more. Jack discusses how the idea for Corral came from his experiences growing up on a ranch in Nebraska and his desire...

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Bryan Seck, Executive Director of Lincoln Literacy, about the transformative power of literacy and workforce development in Nebraska. Bryan shares his journey from serving homeless students to leading initiatives at Kawasaki before joining Lincoln Literacy. Discover how Lincoln Literacy serves a diverse community of learners, offering classes from basic Eng...

In the latest episode of the TEN subseries "Tech Culture", a collaboration with BetterCulture, we learn about the 14th of BetterCulture's 20 tenets: "All Aboard." This episode explores how foundational attitudes and behaviors can enhance success in the workplace and in life. Learn about the importance of unity and support in decision-making processes and the impact of dissent within teams. Whether...

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Christie Stukenholtz, co-founder and CEO of Senior Care Finder, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based startup. Christie's journey began with a personal experience of navigating the complexities of finding adequate care for her grandmother. Frustrated by the lack of resources, she embarked on a mission to create a solution. Senior Care Finder is a comprehensive database...

In this episode of TEN, we sit down with Mike Lechtenberger, CIO at Mutual of Omaha and a key player in the Nebraska Tech Collaborative. As a founding member of the NTC in 2018 and executive committee chair since 2022, Mike shares his insights on the growth of Nebraska's tech ecosystem. He reflects on Mutual of Omaha's remarkable pivot to a fully remote workforce during the pandemic and the compan...

In this episode of TEN, you'll hear from Jessica Korinek, Co-founder and CEO of Nave Analytics. Jessica shares her journey into the agricultural tech space and discusses how Nave Analytics is revolutionizing irrigation practices through data-driven solutions. From her experiences in agricultural research to navigating the startup landscape, Jessica provides valuable insights for aspiring entrepren...

In this episode of the TEN subseries Tech Culture, a collaboration with BetterCulture, we explore Tenet 13: Restraint. Kim Hoogeveen, cofounder of BetterCulture, explains how restraint is crucial in today's workplace, where passionate discussions on sensitive topics can disrupt harmony. While not a call for silence, restraint encourages thoughtful consideration of how discussions impact the work e...

In this episode of the TEN podcast, Cecil Smalley returns to share an update on Tech. CNE(), a meetup group he launched in Central Nebraska in 2023 to connect area tech professionals. He shares exciting insights into the group's growth and activities since its inception. Whether you're a seasoned tech pro or just starting out, Cecil discusses how Tech. CNE() provides valuable networking opportunit...

In this conversation with Dereck Djernes, Head of Managed IT and Cybersecurity for Hamilton shares his diverse background including his journey into tech, Hamilton's collaboration with local schools, including the Career Pathways Institute, aimed at inspiring and empowering students. Derek emphasized the importance of collective efforts in Nebraska's tech community to recruit and retain talent.

In this episode, Paulina shares information about the world of apprenticeships and their significant impact on shaping the future workforce. From discussing the differences between apprenticeships and internships to exploring the duration and power of apprenticeship programs, Paulina provided valuable insights for companies looking to support this innovative approach to solve Nebraska's workforce...

In this episode, you'll hear from Craig Joseph, a tech entrepreneur based in Grand Island, Nebraska. Craig shares his journey from the UK to Nebraska, including his experiences in tech, his latest venture focused on revolutionizing the student housing market, and how there is space for diverse skillsets in Nebraska's tech startup ecosystem.

Unlock the transformative power of kindness in the workplace with Kim Hoogeveen, co-owner of BetterCulture, as we explore its profound impact on fostering respect, collaboration, and employee satisfaction. Tune in for actionable insights on building a supportive work environment where everyone thrives.