It should be required for all high school students to do this program!
-Omaha Central Student
Inclusive Communities is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization. Through our powerful human relations work, we are providing education and advocacy related to the topics of diversity and inclusion. We work with schools, businesses and in the community. Our critical social justice work would not be possible without strong community partners, donors, advocates and an incredible group of committed volunteers.
History
In the 1930s, leaders from different faiths refused to be bystanders in the face of hatred, intolerance, bigotry, fear and deeply embedded prejudice. These leaders came together nationally in response to organized campaigns of hatred spreading throughout America.
The Ku Klux Klan was active in most areas across the country, directing vicious bigotry towards Catholics, Jews, blacks and “foreigners.” The rise of Hitler and Nazism spawned hate groups targeting Jews at a time when anti-Semitism was already overt and pervasive. Al Smith was subjected to hatemongering when he ran for President because he was Catholic. Acknowledging the need for action, leaders including Teddy Roosevelt, Benjamin Cardozo, Jane Addams, and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, created The National Conference for Christians and Jews – NCCJ. They mobilized citizens against the forces of violence, ignorance and exclusion, and contributed significantly to an expanded definition of “who is an American.”
In 1938 in Omaha, Nebraska, local leaders also refused to be bystanders. Otto Swanson, owner of the Nebraska Clothing Company, was visited in his office by a fellow businessman. He listened with growing disbelief and indignation while the man told him of the formation of an organization in Omaha which would promote a secret boycott of Jewish-owned businesses. The group would encourage patronage to the benefit of Swanson’s store because it was “Christian owned.”
After Swanson showed the visitor out, he sat back and considered what had just occurred. He is quoted as saying, “I couldn’t believe anything like that could happen, not in the United States and certainly not in Omaha.” Otto Swanson was committed to the cause of working toward human understanding…the element he knew would contribute to the end of religious and racial bigotry. Swanson, along with W. Dale Clark, banker; Milton Livingston, businessman; and Ralph Svoboda, attorney, joined with other leading citizens and established the Midlands NCCJ chapter, now known as Inclusive Communities.
Since 1938, this 501 (c)3 non-profit organization has served Nebraska, Iowa and the region by directing our efforts in the areas of youth, community and workplace human relations and leadership programming to achieve our mission of creating inclusive communities.
Mission and Vision
Mission
We confront prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination.
Vision
Inclusive Communities envisions a society that is strengthened by diversity, inclusion, respect and justice for all people.
Staff
Maggie Wood

Maggie Wood
Maggie Wood joined our team as Executive Director on September 21st, 2015. Maggie uses She/Her/Hers pronouns. Maggie moved to Omaha in 1997 with the Clark Construction Group, as part of the general contracting team for the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Courthouse and chose to stay in Omaha when the project was completed. In addition to her for-profit work, throughout her 20 year career, Maggie has worked successfully for some notable non-profits, including Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Film Streams, Opera Omaha and CFDC/CDI Head Start. She has managed budgets, solicited funds, empowered volunteers and has overseen the daily operations of various sized organizations.
Cammy Watkins

Cammy Watkins
Camellia “Cammy” Watkins is an Omaha native who graduated from Omaha South High School. She received a BA Degree from Cornell College in Psychology and Vocal Performance. Cammy has 15 years experience working with not-for-profit organizations ranging from environmental activism to performing arts administration. The opportunity to work with many different facets of the not-for-profit world have provided Cammy with vast insights into the business needs of organizations. She is excited to utilize this expertise to partner with Omaha businesses as they begin the journey of creating an inclusive office culture.
In her spare time Cammy sings with the Opera Omaha chorus and other local churches and theaters. Cammy is the proud aunt of 3 nephews and 1 niece. She also enjoys spending time with her Mother who is her inspiration for hard work, dedication, and mindfulness.
Tena Hahn-Rodriguez

Tena Hahn-Rodriguez
Tena brings a full range of career experience to Inclusive Communities – all rooted in inclusiveness and education. Her background as an entrepreneur, educator and community organizer have made her one of the most recognizable people in North Omaha.
As co-founder of REVEL, Omaha’s only LGBT safe social space and monthly fundraiser, Tena has focused her efforts to organize, support and celebrate Omaha’s LGBT community since the events inception in 2014. Tena’s career experience as a dance and fitness instructor made her an entrepreneur at the age of 32 and an educator to three generations of youngsters and countless active adults.
A lover of music, movies, social media, and an avid reader, Tena is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Non-Profit Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She lives in Northwest Omaha with her wife Nannette, daughter Josephine, and an energetic Schnau Tzu (Shih Tzu/Schnauzer mix), named Roxy.
Tena is a native of Omaha, a Benson High School graduate and a Board Member and current Entertainment chair for Heartland Pride. Tena is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor, and a licensed Zumba and indoor cycling instructor, and a Mixxedfit Master Educator.
Robbie Q. Summers

Robbie Q. Summers
Robbie Quinones Summers is a servant leader at heart. She joined the Inclusive Communities team as the Continuity and Sustainability Manager in October of 2017. She is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and eventually settled in Omaha with her parents for her senior year as a Central Eagle. Robbie spent three of her high school years in Germany by way of her step-father’s military civil service, where he worked as the Human Relations Director. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Arts in Leadership.
Robbie has 12 years of experience in Human Resources and a strong background in leadership development, team building, and coaching. She has 10 years of experience in minority business ownership, including owning a global Dairy Queen franchise. Additionally, Robbie’s professional experience allowed her to serve at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as the Assistant Director and Activities Coordinator of Multicultural Student Recruitment and Retention.
She also worked with Omaha Public Schools and Douglas County Head Start Program as the Human Resource Manager and the Community and Family Partnership Manager. She most recently served as Youth Programs Manager with the Center for Holistic Development, where she helped to bring excellent afterschool program activities to inner-city youth.
Robbie enjoys time with family, and is a minister that is strengthened by using the Word of God to bring hope to all. Her love of Christ is what urges her to fight for the equal treatment and inclusive rights of all people from every background and belief. She remembers one her favorite quotes, “If not for the Grace God, there go I.”
Krysty Becker

Krysty Becker
She | Her
Krysty joined the Inclusive Communities team in April 2020, first as a social media contractor before moving onto the staff. She has spent the past 7 years doing strategic communications work for clients in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and her country of origin, Trinidad and Tobago. Most recently, she consulted on a campaign for a Nebraska State Legislature candidate.
Prior to moving to Nebraska, Krysty worked for the Local Government Ministry in Trinidad and Tobago where she supported the creation of legislation for reform. She holds a doctorate in International Relations from Florida International University and has a research specialization in foreign policy analysis and security studies in relation to drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere.
You can usually find Krysty exploring the great outdoors, cooking up a storm, or trying to pet every dog. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband Christian and their two dogs, Levi and Zulu.
Colin McGrew

Colin McGrew
Colin McGrew joined the Inclusive Communities team in September 2019. Originally from the small ski town of Frisco, Colorado, Colin came to Omaha to further pursue an academic career at Creighton University. After graduating with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in sustainability, Colin was looking to apply his energy in creating a more just and equitable society. Colin has always had a drive for nonprofit work, and got his first opportunity to partner with a nonprofit working with Film Streams in Omaha.
While pursuing his B.S., Colin had the opportunity to be a part of several student-led organizations focusing on diversity, reproductive rights, and environmental justice. Colin also had the opportunity to function as a student researcher in an interdisciplinary study of place in the Nebraska Sandhills. As a NASA Nebraska EPSCoR funding recipient, Colin assisted with the ethnographic, biological, and film-making research of the Nebraska Sandhills to gain a cultural understanding of rancher relationships to a geographically significant place. Colin also served as the Move-In and Transportation Executive for Creighton University’s Welcome Week 2017, where he was responsible for coordinating new student move-in and transportation to ensure efficiency and provide a comfortable transition for all new students.
Colin currently lives in downtown Omaha with his partner Julia, a current medical student, and border collie named Ryder. He has a deep love for music, the outdoors, and food. When not contributing to Inclusive Communities programming, you can find him plotting his next adventure or scribbling notes about his favorite albums of the year.
Molly Welsh

Molly Welsh
Molly Welsh joined the team in 2020 and uses she/her/hers pronouns. Molly has spent 15 years working in Omaha’s nonprofit arts scene at organizations including Omaha Performing Arts, Film Streams and Nebraska Shakespeare. As the Operations & Projects Manager for Inclusive Communities, Molly works with finances, handles logistics for IC programs and events, and maintains the calendar for the organization. Molly was an event organizer for Femme Fest, an all femme-identifying music festival, as well as a vocalist for a few Omaha-area bands. She can be found in Benson with her partner, Dave, daughter, Ryleigh and cats Romeo and Benvolio – The Montague Boys.
J. Dominic Green

J. Dominic Green
Contract Facilitators
Tiffiny Clifton

Tiffiny Clifton
Tiffiny Clifton currently serves as the Executive Director of Gotta Be Me, Inc. Now in the fourth year of GBM, the mission and vision is growing – to promote the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into our communities, creating a culture that is brimming with life, dignity, and growth – for all people. It’s what gets her up every day and keeps her moving toward continuing to be a shining light in our community, making it a happier, healthier, and safer place by creating opportunities for people with all abilities to come together, to become who they want to be, without limits.
Nicholette Seigfried

Nicholette Seigfried
Nicholette Seigfreid serves as the Human Resources Manager for Civic Nebraska. In this role, she works closely with all members of our administrative team and plays a key role in ensuring a positive and successful work environment for all of our growing staff. She assists with hiring, onboarding, employee relations, and annual reviews. Nicholette also manages the internship program and our volunteer database, and contributes to professional development planning for all staff.
An alumna of the University of Arkansas, where she earned degrees in anthropology and Middle
Eastern studies, Nicholette has lived across the United States, including stays in New York, Miami, Colorado, and Minneapolis. She has lived in Lincoln for 15 years and considers it home.
In addition to her work at Civic Nebraska, Nicholette is an administrator at the Lincoln Jewish
Community School and is President of the South Street Temple. Nicholette says she is drawn to nonprofit work by the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, which is working individually and collectively to perfect or repair the world. It is often used when discussing issues of social policy, insuring a safeguard to those who may be at a disadvantage.
Michelle D. Butler

Michelle D. Butler
Michelle D. Butler joined Inclusive Communities in summer 2019 as a Contract Facilitator. She currently works in after school programming at several of Omaha Public Middle Schools.
She was born and raised in North Omaha and is very passionate about juvenile justice reform and working with youth and families in the African-American community.
Michelle is currently attending Nebraska Wesleyan University seeking her Bachelor of Social Work degree, and is a prospective graduate of the Spring 2020 class. She has over two years experience in intervention, diversion, and prevention work in after school programs. Michelle also has a strong passion to engage, encourage, educate, and empower youth with information that will help prepare them to navigate the changing world around them.
She is very inspired by the curriculum here at Inclusive Communities that teaches inclusion, diversity, and equity to our youth!
Gina Ponce
Barry Thomas
Elli Grapp

Elli Grapp
Marti Carrington

Marti Carrington
Marti has over 20 years of corporate and nonprofit Human Resources and Operating experience and has a passion for changing organizational culture from the inside out. She believes that this can be done in partnership with activism, political change, and social reconstruction. She serves as the Board Chair for Omaha Girls Rock and on the Leadership Team for the Women’s Fund of Omaha Circles. Marti feels fortunate to serve on several nonprofit and local political boards.
She is a mother of three kiddos and in her limited free time enjoys reading, running with friends, and solving the world’s problems over a cocktail with her husband.
Hannah Bussa

Hannah Bussa
Hannah is a UNO student studying social justice, journalism, and social work. She enjoys learning and working towards a more equitable future. She aspires to find her path in this work.
As she is hard of hearing, Hannah is an advocate for accessibility.
When she is not studying or interning, you can find Hannah spending time with her family and friends, virtually during the pandemic.
Board
Board of Directors
- Tulani Grundy Meadows
Chair
Metropolitan Community College - Sonia Tiebi
Secretary
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation - Gregory Ramirez
Vice Chair
University of Nebraska Omaha - Megan Koziol
Treasurer
Seim Johnson LLP - Machaela Cavanaugh
Nebraska State Senator - Melanie Morrissey Clark
Clark Creative Group - Arvin Frazier
College Possible - Kathryn Goodman
Bank of the West - Daniel Gutman
Fraser Stryker PC LLO - Rieko Ikeda-Hayes
Omaha Public Power District - Craig Loya
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral - Dr. Roopa Venkatesh
University of Nebraska Omaha - Bobby Brumfield
Leonum Advisors: Security and Crisis Management Firm - Shawntal Mallory
Omaha Home for Boys - Stephen Gutierrez-Sager
Omaha Distribution Center SalonCentric - Professional Beauty Partners