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KEYNOTE
SPEAKERS

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Todd Simon

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
9:15am – 10:15am

Todd Simon is the fifth-generation family owner of Omaha Steaks, where he serves as Chairman and Chief Steak Evangelist.

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Simon has been with the company for more than 38 years after graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his career developing and implementing Omaha Steaks award-winning marketing programs, as well as the employee development efforts that drive the company's culture of excellence.

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In addition to leading the family business, he continues the Simon family’s legacy of philanthropy and dedication to the community, serving on the Board of Directors for various organizations supporting the arts, as well as social and human services. He was the recipient of the Humanities Nebraska Sower Award, named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year by the Nebraska Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and along with his wife, Betiana, was named Humanitarian of the Year by Inclusive Communities.

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Jeff Koterba
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
9:00am – 10:15am

Jeff Koterba is a writer, artist, musician, and creativity advocate. A two-time TED speaker, Koterba often writes and talks about overcoming obstacles to deepening one's creativity. He's also passionate about helping others tell their story.

 

His memoir, Inklings, traces Koterba's path on his journey to become a cartoonist, and more so, to rediscover the love of his family that was there from the start. Entertainment Weekly called Inklings "...a powerful and moving portrait of an artist." In 2019 he was named a finalist for a novel in the Tucson Festival of Books, and semi-finalist for a second novel.

 

Koterba has twice been nominated for a Heartland Emmy Award, most recently in 2019, for a weekly series he wrote and hosted, on CBS affiliate, KMTV. He has also written for The Huffington Post, ABC News, and The Daily Beast. His fiction has appeared in Parcel, and his graphic nonfiction has appeared in Ecotone.

 

As a cartoonist he has been a finalist for Editorial Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society and has twice placed second in the National Headliner Awards. He has also won first place for editorial cartooning in the Great Plains Journalism Awards six times, most recently in 2019. His cartoons are distributed through Cagle Cartoons to 850 newspapers around the globe, and have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today.

 

In 2010, two of Koterba's cartoons flew aboard space shuttle Discovery.

 

His work has been included in multiple exhibits around the U.S. and in Europe, including alongside Picasso and Banksy in Amiens, France, and in the Austrian embassy in Paris.

 

He is lead singer, guitarist, and chief songwriter for the Prairie Cats, a swing and jump-blues band he formed in 1998. The Prairie Cats have performed at the South by Southwest Music Festival, Windows on the World at the World Trade Center, and at the Derby Lounge in Hollywood.

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Willie Miller
Thursday, July 25, 2024
9:15am – 10:15am

Willie Miller’s journey is one of relentless determination, redemption, and the realization of dreams against all odds.

 

From a young age, Miller was a beacon of ambition, pursuing excellence both in the classroom and on the football field. His path leading him to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where Coach Tom Osborne’s wisdom propelled him into a full-ride scholarship as a student-athlete.

 

His prowess as the starting fullback for the Huskers during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, playing in 42 games, marked him as a force to be reckoned with. Off the field, his dedication was equally profound, earning him a first-team academic All-Big 12 selection twice and eight-time membership on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, culminating in a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. His leadership transcended sports, as he was honored on the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team for his community involvement.

 

Unfortunately, the journey of a man with dreams is seldom without its shadows. After the days of college football faded, Miller found himself adrift, losing the special status once afforded to athletes. The transition was harsh, and he fell into the depths of addiction and self-hatred, seeking solace in pain pills and alcohol. The dreams that once fueled him seemed distant and unreachable, leading him down a path of darkness and despair.

 

Yet, in the depths of his struggle, Miller discovered a new dream that ignited a fierce resolve within him. Battling his personal demons, he embarked on a journey of recovery, reclaiming his life and health with unwavering tenacity. His new aspiration led him to pursue a nursing degree, symbolizing his rebirth and commitment to a life of service.

 

Graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, he not only found a new purpose but also a loving partner who stood by him through thick and thin. Empowered by faith and resilience, he transformed his pain into a testament of strength. 

 

In 2024, Miller’s dedication to his newfound calling was recognized with the prestigious Daisy Award, an internationally acclaimed honor that celebrates nurses who exhibit extraordinary care and compassion. Often regarded as the Heisman Trophy of nursing, this accolade affirmed his impact on the lives of his patients and their families.

 

Despite the trials that continued to test him, including overcoming addiction, battling homelessness, and enduring the heart wrenching loss of his twin boys in 2023, Miller emerged as a symbol of perseverance. His story is a powerful reminder that life’s obstacles can be navigated with honesty, openness, and an unwavering willingness to change and grow.

 

Willie Miller’s journey is far from over. Each day, he continues to inspire and uplift others, proving that no matter how daunting the challenges, redemption and the fulfillment of dreams are always within reach.

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