We are Civic Nebraska
Leadership and Administration
Nancy Petitto, MA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As Civic Nebraska’s top leader, Nancy guides and advises senior directors and administrative team members on development, financial, programmatic, people and culture, and policy matters. She maintains Civic Nebraska’s momentum and status as the state’s pre-eminent voting rights group while expanding and innovating our programming amid a changing democracy-building arena.
Nancy joined Civic Nebraska in 2018; her appointment to executive director in January 2025 marked her fourth role in our organization. From 2018-21, she led Collective Impact Lincoln, a local neighborhood-strengthening partnership between Civic Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed. In 2021, Nancy was promoted to director of Civic Nebraska’s Civic Health Programs, a position she held for three years. In 2024, she became senior director of programs, overseeing Civic Nebraska’s Youth Civic Leadership, Civic Health, and Voting Rights Initiatives programs.
Nancy, a native of New York state, attended the University of Nebraska. She earned a bachelor of journalism in news-editorial and a master of arts in educational administration, focusing on higher education administration, leadership, and organizational management. Before joining Civic Nebraska, she worked in academic, administrative, and research departments at Nebraska U.
Since 2022, Nancy has served on the board of directors and is currently board president for the Belmont Community Center. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Scott, and their dogs, Frankie and Murphy.
na***********@ci***********.org
Office phone: 402-904-5191
Kyle Cartwright, CAP®
DIRECTOR OF
DEVELOPMENT
As director of development, Kyle leads the team responsible for Civic Nebraska’s revenue streams, which allow us to achieve our mission and maximize our impact across the state. He plans and organizes fundraising activities, stewards donors, manages Civic Nebraska’s development budget, and collaborates with partners around the state and nation to raise funds.
Kyle is a Lincoln native who has served in a variety of roles during his career, including with the Lincoln Community Foundation, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. He also has founded two consulting businesses focused on corporate impact, nonprofit strategy, and effective philanthropy. A 2013 graduate of the University of Nebraska, Kyle’s nonprofit career began at the Lincoln Community Foundation, where he developed his love for fundraising, philanthropy, and community engagement. From 2018-22, Kyle was executive director of the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, a unique public-private partnership.
Kyle is a staff sergeant in the Nebraska Army National Guard and plays saxophone with the 43rd Army Band. He, his wife Koren, and son Porter live in Lincoln. When he’s not working, Kyle loves cycling, listening to good podcasts, playing board games, and volunteering. He is the past president of the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lincoln, having served for nine years as a “Big” of a local youth.
Office: 402.904.5191
Sarah Walker, MA
DIRECTOR OF
OPERATIONS
Sarah, a 2019 University of Nebraska graduate, works across Civic Nebraska’s programs to support our staff and growth and achieve administrative excellence. Sarah is well-versed in Civic Nebraska’s systems to manage finance, HR, and organizational processes and is a key resource for staff. Before joining Civic Nebraska, Sarah spent two years in public relations departments and community organizing roles at various Nebraska nonprofits. She loves teaching, was an instructor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and continues to teach English coursework at Doane University.
She enjoys traveling, watching soccer, spending time with friends and family, and being outdoors in her spare time.
Office: 402.904.5191
Cell: 402.802.7671
sa**********@ci***********.org
Steve Smith
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Steve identifies, develops, and shares Civic Nebraska’s stories with the world. He joined Civic Nebraska in 2018 after a decade as a chief communications officer at the University of Nebraska and, before that, 15 years as a journalist in Iowa, California, and Nevada. His interest in American history – especially the era of the Revolution and the Framing – has prepared him well for writing about our democracy-building efforts. Steve is a published author (1, 2), an alumnus of Leadership Lincoln Fellows XXXII, a mentor of a local teen through Big Brothers Big Sisters Lincoln, a Civic Saturday Fellow, and a (very) amateur cyclist. A native of Rosalie, Nebraska, Steve lives in Lincoln with his wife Kathy and their very laid-back cats, Frankie and Ellie.
402.419.4349 cell
402.904.5191 office
st*********@ci***********.org
Scott Schrage, MS
GRANT
MANAGER
Scott coordinates all grant activities, researches and evaluates potential funding sources, and ensures follow-through on Civic Nebraska’s funded projects. He also works across the organization to ensure alignment on grants-related matters.
Before joining Civic Nebraska, Scott was a communicator at the University of Nebraska for 13 years. His first focus was on the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools, and from 2014-24 he was NU’s chief science writer. A native of Sloan, Iowa, Scott earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Iowa State University.
Scott enjoys a range of sports and movies. Or, as he puts it: “dragging friends to the Ross to see the latest independent and international films, and spending an unhealthy amount of time following the National Basketball Association.”
402.904.5191 office
Emily Priefert
SENIOR FINANCE
SPECIALIST
Emily, a Nebraska native who grew up near Valparaiso, joined Civic Nebraska’s finance team in 2021. Before that, Emily worked as a program specialist for Civic Nebraska’s Youth Civic Leadership program. She works across Civic Nebraska’s programs to support our staff and their programs financially. Additionally, she oversees accounts payable and accounts receivable. Emily earned an associate’s degree in business from Southeast Community College, and she enjoys spending her free time with friends and family. She’s also a self-described connoisseur of documentaries.
402.904.5191 office
em************@ci***********.org
Tanner Cano
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Tanner develops and implements social and digital campaigns, tracks performance metrics, and identifies and engages with specific segments of our audiences to foster meaningful connections. He manages strategic media campaigns and the organization’s digital advertising presence.
Tanner grew up in Gretna and graduated from the University of Nebraska in December 2022 with a degree in advertising and public relations. Before joining Civic Nebraska, he was a communications coordinator with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird’s 2023 re-election campaign. The experience on the campaign reaffirmed Tanner’s desire to help his community and gave him a better understanding and love for the city and Nebraska as a whole.
In his spare time, Tanner enjoys spending time with friends and family, rock climbing, board and card games, fencing, and trying new hobbies.
402.904.5191 office
ta*********@ci***********.org
Peyton Savington
VOLUNTEER & INTERN
COORDINATOR
Peyton is responsible for recruitment, orientation, training, certification, scheduling, engagement, and recognition for our volunteers and part-time interns and helps interested community members find different opportunities at our organization. Peyton also builds and maintains relationships to coordinate with local colleges, universities, cultural centers, and other potential partners to provide service-learning, internship, and volunteer opportunities for students and community members. They also schedule, coordinate, and assign volunteers or interns to our various events, programs, supervisors, and in-house mentors.
A native of Papillion and a 2022 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, Peyton earned degrees in history and gender studies with a focus on the U.S. food industry. After their time at Wesleyan, Peyton worked for Nebraskans Against Gun Violence. There, they organized the organization’s Pride events and focused on its presence in the LGBTQ+ community. Peyton is also the founder and director of Four Lights Films, a video production company that creates both features and short films.
In Peyton’s spare time, they enjoy cooking, playing golf, and hanging out with their two cats, Parzival and Riley.
402.904.5191 office
peyton.savington@
civicnebraska.org
Grace Laflen
PEOPLE & CULTURE
SPECIALIST
Grace supports Civic Nebraska’s administrative functions, including hiring, payroll, internal calendar management, and organization-wide culture initiatives.
Grace is originally from Springfield, Missouri, where they were heavily involved in the local activism community. That early experience in grassroots engagement sparked a lasting commitment to supporting others and creating inclusive, connected communities.
They earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in 2023, along with a minor in Global Studies. While at Nebraska U., Grace was a member of the Clifton Builders Program and served as a Student Strengths Coach. As part of the Builders in the Community track, they contributed to the Strive to Thrive Lincoln grant project, collaborating with local nonprofits to enrich the community through strategic grantmaking.
Before joining Civic Nebraska, Grace was a client support specialist and engagement coordinator at Gallup. In that role, they strengthened their passion for organizational culture, team-building, and fostering meaningful engagement across diverse teams, which made them a perfect fit for our team.
In their free time, Grace enjoys reading science fiction, writing, and swimming, a passion they have pursued since their competitive swimming days. They also enjoy visiting their sister in St. Louis and spending time with their opinionated tortoiseshell cat, Jake.
402.904.5191 office
gr**********@ci***********.org
Youth Civic Leadership
Building the next generation of Nebraska’s civic leaders.
Tracy White
EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES MANAGER
Making a difference in the lives of youth is Tracy’s No. 1 goal. She joined Civic Nebraska in 2017 as site director after serving five years as assistant site director at Lewis & Clark. In her current role, Tracy supervises our after-school site directors, ensures compliance with various policies and regulations, and builds relationships with schools, partners, and the community. Tracy has worked in several youth programs, including Belvedere Elementary, Hope Center for Kids, and others, for more than 15 years after transitioning from the business world. A native of St. Louis, Tracy loves a good, strong cup of coffee to get her going. She enjoys creating digital designs and has an Omaha baking and sweet-treats business, Ohh My Sweetz, with her daughters. She has instilled success principles in her daughters Kelli, Jessica, and Bre. Tracy also has been public relations director for the Nebraska First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ for 10+ years. In her spare time, Tracy loves to travel — and relax.
tr*********@ci***********.org
Liseth Reyna-Garrido
SITE DIRECTOR, TRAILBLAZERS AFTERSCHOOL ACADEMY
Liseth Reyna Garrido is Civic Nebraska’s after-school site director at Lewis & Clark Middle School. Liseth first joined Trailblazers as a student 14 years ago, benefiting from the program’s commitment to excellence. She returned as a college student, rising through the ranks to become assistant director, where she filled some big shoes. Now, as site director, her deep understanding and passion for the Academy will continue to shape the program and inspire students, just as it did for her.
li**********@ci***********.org
Afterschool Academy: 531-299-2405
Ayanna Almaguer
SITE DIRECTOR,
SHERMAN ELEMENTARY CLC
DeShawn O'Neill
SITE DIRECTOR, LOTHROP ELEMENTARY CLC
Lothrop: 531-299-1780
Civic Nebraska: 402-904-5191
Civic Health Programs
Strengthening our state’s civic, social, and political fabric.
Lily Sughroue
DIRECTOR OF CIVIC HEALTH PROGRAMS
A fifth-generation Lincolnite with deep experience in the nonprofit, government, and education worlds, Lily is responsible for directing and sustaining one of our three program areas at Civic Nebraska – Civic Health Programs. She is responsible for the success of the programs and projects within the program area, which include the rural civic health initiative, civil discourse and media literacy programming, Capitol Experience Days, and Collective Impact Lincoln.
Before joining Civic Nebraska in 2024, Lily spent 14 years working in various organizations in Lincoln, including Leadership Lincoln and the Center for People, History Nebraska, and Lincoln Public Schools.
In her spare time, Lily is the director of artists and mentors for Lincoln Community Playhouse’s Penguin Project, advocates for disability rights and inclusion, and serves on the board of HopeSpoke. She also is a member of Sunrise Kiwanis and i2choir. Lily and her husband, John, live in Lincoln with their daughter, Greta, and Frank, their German shorthair pointer.
402.904.5191 office
li***********@ci***********.org
Allie Christianson
SENIOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, COLLECTIVE IMPACT LINCOLN
As Collective Impact Lincoln’s senior community organizer, Allie works with residents and stakeholders in the Near South and Everett neighborhoods to build strong and resilient communities. Allie, who previously worked with the South of Downtown CDO, is passionate about community building and uses an intersectional approach to positive social change. She elevates voices through grassroots organizing to empower communities to retake ownership of their unique futures.
402.904.5191 office
al****************@ci***********.org
Audrey Nance
CAPITOL EXPERIENCE DAY PROGRAM SPECIALIST
A native of Lincoln and a Lincoln High and Nebraska U. alumna, Audrey oversees one of Civic Nebraska’s flagship programs – Capitol Experience Day. Audrey is a resource for teachers and community partners across Nebraska to enhance civics education opportunities for students and constituents. Audrey comes to Civic Nebraska from Friendship Home, where she focused on child advocacy and was the lead children’s advocate at the organization.
Outside of work, Audrey takes nature walks with her partner and her big sweet dog, Jayne; visits the lake with friends; gardens and cares for her houseplants; watches science fiction and fantasy; and enjoys arts and crafts.
402.904.5191 office
au**********@ci***********.org
Sam Meier-Bates
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, COLLECTIVE IMPACT LINCOLN
As a Collective Impact Lincoln community organizer, Sam engages with residents and stakeholders in the Hartley and University Place neighborhoods to build strong, resilient communities. A self-described human services employee, Sam is dedicated to advocacy and activism and bettering his community and its people.
Most recently, he was the community outreach housing specialist with The Hub Central Access Point for Young Adults in Lincoln. In that role, he provided case management and wraparound services to unhoused and at-risk young adults, and he helped clients with applying for rent and utility assistance.
Sam studied at Southeast Community College and is an alumnus of Lincoln Southeast High School. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, longboarding, hiking, going to local events, and watching documentaries. He and his partner, Chloe, an English teacher at Lincoln High, have three cats and are new homeowners in the Near South neighborhood.
402.904.5191 office
sa************@ci***********.org
Allen Chlopek
RURAL CIVIC HEALTH PROGRAM MANAGER
Allen, a native of Fullerton with a deep background in community-building and small-town advocacy, is responsible for strengthening rural and small-town civic health – social connection, confidence in institutions, community engagement, and political involvement – across Nebraska. His duties include facilitating community discussions and workshops, managing leadership development programs, developing tools and resources for community leaders, and contributing to research on civic health trends in Nebraska. Allen also helps Civic Nebraska build resources, knowledge, and understanding around civic health. He manages leadership and skills development of several initiatives, including Nebraska Documenters; the Idea of America Fellowship; and Civil Discourse. He is based in Fullerton.
He and his wife, Kate, also renovated a 1914 Carnegie Library building that had been empty for several years. An alumnus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Allen is a TeamMate to a local student. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family pets (especially his 6-year-old German Shepherd, Ruth), woodworking, and riding his 1975 Honda CB750 motorcycle.
al***********@ci***********.org
Voting Rights Initiatives & Public Policy
Protecting every Nebraskan’s right to vote and advocating for pro-voter policies.
Clara Wilson
DIRECTOR OF VOTING RIGHTS INITIATIVES
As the leader of our Voting Rights Initiatives team, Clara strategizes and develops programs and projects that inspire action following our organization’s mission, values, and strategic plan. That includes (but isn’t limited to) directing nonpartisan election education and outreach strategies; building a leadership infrastructure to recruit and maintain a robust volunteer base of statewide voting rights advocates who are trained and ready to support Civic Nebraska’s mission; and overseeing a grassroots advocacy and political engagement infrastructure for voter contact and get-out-the-vote activities.
A native of Crete, Clara earned a bachelor’s degree in management and leadership education from Nebraska U. in 2015 and is pursuing a Master of Public Health at New York University. For a decade, she served nonprofits in Colorado, including a family resource center, a local domestic violence advocacy provider, and an intervention program addressing health outcomes’ social determinants.
While she and her family enjoyed having mountains in the backyard for skiing and rivers next door for rafting adventures, Clara and her husband David and their young children are delighted to be near family in Nebraska. She enjoys crocheting, reading, woodworking, and jewelry-making in her spare time.
402.904.5191 office
Mike Forsythe
VOTING RIGHTS
COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Mike supervises of our full-time field organizers and is responsible for the overall management of the organizing team’s initiatives. He also coordinates and oversees our policy and voter education initiative focused on the re-enfranchisement of returning citizens following a felony conviction. He also is a key member of our get-out-the-vote campaigns and the Election Protection Program. Mike retired in 2018 from Omaha Box Co. after 39 years of service, 25 of them as a production supervisor and also was a 2018 candidate for the Nebraska Public Service Commission – an experience that reaffirmed his faith in civic engagement, civic health, and civil discourse. Mike and his wife Margo live in Omaha and have three grown children. He enjoys spending time with family, playing golf, birdwatching, listening to music, and long walks.
402.904.5191 office
402.490.4831 mobile
mi***********@ci***********.org
Heidi Uhing
DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC POLICY
Heidi crafts the public policy agenda for Civic Nebraska and lobbies for voting rights and fair election laws in the Nebraska Legislature. Previously, she worked at the Legislature for 15 years, directing its Unicameral Information Office. There she edited the Unicameral Update, which is free to the public and reports on bills as they move through the legislative process. She also directed the Legislature’s civic education programs and is proud to have received Civic Nebraska’s Outstanding Youth Engagement Program Award in 2016. Heidi has served as the ACLU of Nebraska’s director of communications and supported research communications at the University of Nebraska.
402.770.5756 cell
402.904.5191 office
he*********@ci***********.org
