Speakers

Speaker	Date	Topic
Jenny Cardwell	Apr 17, 2026	Africa Safaris, Witnessing Environmental Conservation
Andy Peterson, Director of Operations	May 01, 2026	Lux Center BIO Andy Peterson grew up in Minnesota and then spent several formative years in New England before arriving in Lincoln in 2012. After two decades in retail he has found a calling supporting artists and community through creative leadership, strategic thinking and relationship-building. He is excited about the role that LUX can play as a community hub and creative catalyst. In addition to supporting LUX operations and programming, Andy serves on the board of the Uni Place Creative District, tying the missions of these two organizations together in a meaningful way. It is this sort of collaborative and collective problem solving that drives him to seek out new community contacts and connections. Andy has developed his own art practice informed by his curiosity about our world and especially our relationship with wild natural elements. He understands the power that art has for the maker and the viewer, and encourages everyone to spend time on an art, craft or hobby. He spends as much time as he can travelling and exploring with his wife and three children. “The LUX provides amazing and unique opportunities for everyone in the area to engage with art in their own way. Making my own art has been a powerful tool that I have leaned on to learn more about myself and the wider world. There is such a need for us to come together and forge bonds in a positive manner, and art provides avenues for those connections. I am humbled to get to support this mission for the community.”
Emily Gengenbach	May 08, 2026	History of Germans from Russia in the US BIO Emily Gengenbach was originally from a small town in Nebraska but came to Lincoln to get her history degree. She then earned her Master of Library and Information Science in May 2025. Emily has worked in public and academic libraries since 2015. She joined the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia in May 2022, where she is the Librarian and Program Coordinator. Her duties include giving tours, talking to guests and community groups about the history of Germans from Russia, and maintaining their extensive library.
Dr. Sandra Mathews, Nebraska Wesleyan	May 15, 2026	The Harvey Girls BIO Education Ph.D.: U.S. West and Latin American History, University of New Mexico, 1998 M.A.: Latin American Studies (History and Political Science), University of New Mexico, 1988 Professional and community affiliations, certifications and awards [Recent only] Dr. Margaret J. Prouty Faculty Teaching Award, 2024 Ameritas Faculty Fellowship, 2024-2025 (and four other times) John Topham and Susan Redd Butler Off-Campus Faculty Research Award (Brigham Young University), 2021-2022, 2017-2018, and 2010-2011 Nebraska Wesleyan Advisor of the Year Award, 2016 Nebraska Wesleyan Scholar Award, 2015-2016 Scholar Award, 2010-2011, New Mexico State Historian/Historical Society of New Mexico Student Organization Advisor of the Year, 2009 When Not Teaching: I love to triathlon (swim, bike, run), gravel cycle, travel, visit family, camp, hike/walk, kayak, photograph, research and write, golf, carve, draw--anything outside.
No Meeting	May 22, 2026	Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend
Leslie Levy	May 29, 2026	International Quilt Museum BIO Leslie C. Levy, J.D., was named the Ardis & Robert James director at the International Quilt Museum in 2014. Her leadership journey began early as a year-long Rotary scholar studying in Japan at the age of 18. This unique experience led to a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the University of Nebraska. After earning her Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska's College of Law, Leslie worked in both private and public service, including Chief of the Consumer Protection & Antitrust Division for the Nebraska Department of Justice, the Willa Cather Foundation, and now with the International Quilt Museum. Leslie is a member of Lincoln Rotary Club 14.
Charlie Wesche, CEO	Jun 05, 2026	NeighborWorks Lincoln BIO Charles Wesche joined NeighborWorks Lincoln in 2018 and is currently the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. Prior to being named CEO in August of 2024, Charles held positions at NeighborWorks Lincoln as a Construction Manager, Director of Real Estate Development, and Chief of Staff. NeighborWorks Lincoln is a Community Development Housing Organization that assists low-to-moderate income residents with the purchase of their first home, builds 15-25 new homes each year, and strengthens neighborhoods through community building and engagement efforts. Charles has over 15 years of experience in residential construction & affordable housing development, having built or rehabilitated hundreds of homes for Lincoln’s low to moderate-income residents. Charles created the Prairie Roots Community Land Trust, currently oversees the trust’s portfolio, and continually advocates both locally and nationally for innovative approaches to providing affordable housing opportunities. Charles also currently serves as the Manager for the South of Downtown Community Development Organization. Prior to his time at NeighborWorks, Charles owned and operated a residential remodeling company that operated in Lincoln and the surrounding areas. Originally from Laramie, Wyoming, Charles has lived in Lincoln for the past 20 years with his wife, Megan, and their three children.
Kate Bolz, President and CEO	Jun 12, 2026	Community Health Endowment of Lincoln BIO Kate Bolz, a nonprofit executive who has dedicated her professional career to public service, was named President & CEO of the Community Health Endowment (CHE) on January 1, 2025. Bolz’s career demonstrates her commitment to improving the lives of those around her. Just prior to joining CHE, Bolz served as the Community Leadership and Belonging Manager at the Lincoln Community Foundation where she led efforts to identify, elevate and address disparities and inequalities in the Lincoln community by designing and implementing targeted leadership development and grantmaking initiatives. Earlier in her career, she was appointed by the President to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development unit to manage federal programs for business, community and housing assistance. Prior to her work at the USDA, Bolz was the Advisor for Economic Development to Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird where she developed programs and policies for economic growth and workforce development. Earlier, she was elected to the Nebraska Legislature, where she served as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and on the Retirement Committee, the Executive Board, Children’s Commission, and Oversight Committee on Corrections.
Lincoln South Rotary Annual Meeting	Jun 19, 2026	Changing of the Guard
Jason Prokop, Executive Director	Jun 26, 2026	First Five Nebraska BIO Jason oversees First Five Nebraska’s policy and communications work. He previously was External Affairs Manager at the Nebraska Department of Transportation where he helped grow relationships with elected officials, local governments, community organizations and citizens. A Crete native, Jason returned home after spending several years in Washington, D.C., serving in senior positions for U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, including Legislative Director and as a senior policy advisor. He also was Chief of Staff to the CEO at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the U.S. standard-setting and regulatory support organization for the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Jason received a B.S. from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he double-majored in political science and communication studies. Jason and his wife, Jennifer, live in Lincoln with their two children.