Omaha Organization Development Network upcoming events

Grounded Conversations (17 Sep 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Grounded Conversations

Welcome to a New Member Experience

Grounded conversations is Omaha ODN's new virtual gathering designed to bring our OD community together. These informal, drop-in conversations offer a space to connect, share ideas, ask questions, and learn from fellow practitioners.

Whether you're looking for fresh perspectives, peer support, or simply a place to talk shop with people who "get it," Grounded Conversations is a welcoming way to stay engaged virtually. Bring your coffee, your curiosity, and whatever's on your mind.

These sessions are limited to members only. Please register and we will provide the virtual link at the time of registration.

Small Acts, Big Belonging: Rituals at Work (23 Sep 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:45:00 GMT

Small Acts, Big Belonging: Rituals at Work

Facilitated by Stuart Chittenden

Let's face it: A lot of workplace efforts at belonging feel, well, awkward. But what if we could tap into something more meaningful - without the "cringe?" This session is a spirited exploration of rituals - those small, intentional, repeated acts that make us feel connected, valued, purposeful, and part of something bigger than ourselves.

We'll explore how simple, intentional rituals can help people and their organizations strengthen meaning, belonging, and engagement in everyday work.

The session is practical, reflective, and interactive. We will:

Unpack what makes up a "ritual" and identify some we already have or practices we can ritualize meaningfully.

Rethink how moments and behaviors become meaningful at work.

Play with a simple ritual blueprint framework to refresh, reframe, or design new rituals that build on everyday practices and reinforces values, encourages engagement, and deepens human connection.

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of rituals, why they matter at work, and how they can foster meaning, belonging, connection, and shared purpose. They will also practice using a simple framework to design and adapt workplace practices into rituals imbued with meaning-making that support their team's values, culture, and alignment.

PRE-WORK for the session:

Before the session, reflect on one or more repeated workplace practices you have experienced or observed. Examples might include team meetings, onboarding moments, awards and recognition, check-ins, or informal behaviors like coffee or cigarette breaks.

Please consider: How does it make people feel more aligned with the organization and/or each other? What meaning does this practice currently carry? What values does it express?

Speaker/Facilitator: Stuart Chittenden

Stuart Chittenden works at the intersection where questioning meets becoming. He is an existential coach, humanist thinker, and host of Lives Radio Show & Podcast on KIOS 91.5 FM. His work explores meaning, identity, and connection, and what helps people live and work more humanely. Through his coaching practice, workshops, public conversations, and consulting work, Stuart's focus is on themes such as meaningful conversation, human-centered creativity, identity and values, and ritual-making for purposeful living and working. A former lawyer, brand strategist, and design thinking consultant, Stuart is also a Certified Humanist Professional and endorsed Humanist Invocator, bringing a secular, inclusive, and meaning-centered approach to his work with people and organizations.

Explore - Learn - Share - Inspire

October Stammtisch at Stokes! (06 Oct 2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Welcome Omaha ODN Members!

Please join us for Stammtisch

on the first Tuesday of each month

in person at Stokes West from 3:00 - 5:00 PM

13615 California Street

Stammtisch is a German word meaning both a group of people who meet regularly, as well as the large table around which they meet.

This is an exclusive event for members only, where you can connect with like-minded individuals and strengthen your network. Bring your ideas and questions, build connections, and learn from others in this casual setting.

Our goal is to gather together to EXPLORE, LEARN, and SHARE, leaving us all more INSPIRED to make an impact.

There is NO cost for this members-only event, but there is food and beverage available for purchase. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. We'll see you there!

Please register so we know how many to expect.

Omaha ODN Conference 2026 - October 20 (20 Oct 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

2026 ODN Conference - October 20

Thriving in Complexity:

OD for a Rapidly Changing World

Keynote Speakers

Laura Johnson, The Art of Alignment: Creativity in a Complex World

Laura Johnson is a creative strategist and transformation leader who works at the intersection of art, technology, and human experience. Known for her ability to bring vision to life, she helps organizations and teams find clarity amidst complexity through curiosity, collaboration, and creativity. Laura also serves on the board of the Radial Arts Center, where she champions inclusion and accessibility in the arts. She believes that thriving in a rapidly changing world requires both precision and imagination that alignment, like art, is a continual act of creation.

Melissa Hurrington, Authenticity: The Superpower to Transform Your Career

As a devoted wife and mother, Melissa Hurrington embodies the essence of balance and leadership both at home and in the professional arena. With a multifaceted role as CFO & VP at Operations of Premier Claims, she navigates the complexities of financial strategy and operational excellence with finesse. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Melissa serves as the Omaha Chapter President of the CFO Leadership Council, is a founding member of The Bold Leaders Collective, and stands among The Next 100. A true servant leader at heart, she approaches every endeavor with authenticity and humility, recognizing that her greatest strength lies in uplifting others. At the core of her identity, she remains unapologetically and authentically herself.

Workshop Speakers

The Human Algorithm: Rebuilding Trust Through Empathetic Leadership by Shannelle Pokorny
Mindful Audiences are Happy Audiences by Sonia Keffer
Culture Clarity Workshop by Lucy Lantis
The Future of Work is Entrepreneurial: Rethinking Organizations in a Disruptive Era by Jenna Smith
Succession Planning in the Exponential Age: Why Traditional Approaches Are No Longer Enough by Andy Noon
Accidentally Exclusive: Promoting Health while Promoting Culture by Jessica Rowe
Rooted in Wellness: Cultivating a Culture of Health at Healing Vibes Urban Farm by LaToya C. Prince
From Programs to Possibility: Reimagining Talent Development for a Complex World by Ashley Bro
The Employee Journey: Applying Principles of Buyer Psychology to Recruiting, Engagement, and Retention by Natalie Hadley
Transitions: Align & Thrive in Your 9:5 by Becky Phipps and Angela McKay

Schedule

7:30am to 5:00pm Conference
5:00pm to 6:30 pm Happy Hour/Networking

Registration includes breakfast, lunch, and happy hour

Members - $150
Non-Members - $250
Groups of 5+, please email June.Kowalewski@myfbm.com or OmahaODNPresident@gmail.com for group discount

Please email any dietary restrictions to June Kowalewski at June.Kowalewski@myfbm.com.

Beardmore Event Center - 3750 Raynor Pkwy, Bellevue, NE

Why Change Doesn't Stick (and What Actually Works) (28 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:45:00 GMT

Why Change Doesn't Stick (and What Actually Works)

Facilitated by Rebecca Shively, Ph.D.

Organizational change is rarely as simple as implementing a new process or communicating a new vision. Many change efforts are thoughtfully planned, clearly communicated, and still fail to stick.

Drawing from organizational psychology and real-world experiences, this session will explore key human drivers that determine whether change takes hold. Participants will rethink the role of communication (and its limitations), uncover what really motivates behavior change, and examine how belief, shaped by past experiences and leadership actions, can accelerate or derail progress.

Attendees will leave with:

A practical way to diagnose why change efforts stall.

Insight into how to design change around human behavior, not just plans.

Specific strategies to build motivation, create meaningful dialogue, and strengthen belief.

Speaker/Facilitator: Rebecca Shively, Ph.D.

Rebecca Shively, Ph.D., is an organizational change practitioner at Farm Credit Services of America, where she helps guide teams and leaders through complex transformations with a focus on people-centered strategies. With a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Nebraska Omaha, her research in goal-setting, motivation, and leadership continues to inform her applied work today.

Rebecca's career spans higher education, the nonprofit sector, and a range of private-sector industries, giving her a broad perspective on how organizations evolve and thrive. Outside of work, she plays trumpet in a community concert band and enjoys the creativity and collaboration that music brings. She also loves spending time outdoors, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She values curiosity, connection, and continuous learning - principles that guide her approach to both work and life. Whether supporting leaders or guiding teams through transformation, she brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every challenge.

Explore - Learn - Share - Inspire

November Stammtisch at Stokes! (03 Nov 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Welcome Omaha ODN Members!

Please join us for Stammtisch

on the first Tuesday of each month

in person at Stokes West from 3:00 - 5:00 PM

13615 California Street

Stammtisch is a German word meaning both a group of people who meet regularly, as well as the large table around which they meet.

Our goal is to gather together to EXPLORE, LEARN, and SHARE, leaving us all more INSPIRED to make an impact.

There is NO cost for this members-only event, but there is food and beverage available for purchase. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. We'll see you there!

Please register so we know how many to expect.

November Program: ACMP Conference Teach Back (18 Nov 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 13:45:00 GMT

2026 ACMP Conference Insights

Association of Change Management Professionals

Speaker: Katie Lennen, Omaha ODN President

Join the Omaha ODN President's annual conference recap. This year, Katie attended the Association of Change Management Professionals Conference in Orlando, FL. The theme, “From Imagination to Impact: Leading Change Together, highlights the power of collaboration, creativity, and leadership in building what comes next."

In this session, Katie will share her favorite practical takeaways from 3-day event. Topics include:

Meet My Assistant, Watson (Generative AI)
I've got a Box on My Head (Mindset)
Zombies (Process Innovation)
Physical Pain of Change (Change Management)

About the Speaker: Katie Lennen

Katie Lennen is a Senior Talent Development Specialist and President of Omaha ODN. She is passionate about helping people develop as leaders, navigate change, and build the confidence to show up authentically and lead with greater impact.

Drawing from her work in talent development, leadership development, and change management, Katie enjoys translating big ideas into practical tools that professionals can immediately apply in their organizations. She recently attended the 2026 Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) Global Conference, where she explored emerging ideas in AI, innovation, mindset, and the human side of change. In this session, she'll share her favorite insights, practical takeaways, and a few memorable stories from the conference.

Katie is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, a certified DiSC Facilitator, and holds an ATD Coaching Certificate. She has served on the Omaha ODN Board since 2022 and is honored to lead the organization as President.

December Stammtisch at Stokes! (01 Dec 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Welcome Omaha ODN Members!

Please join us for Stammtisch

on the first Tuesday of each month

in person at Stokes West from 3:00 - 5:00 PM

13615 California Street

Stammtisch is a German word meaning both a group of people who meet regularly, as well as the large table around which they meet.

Our goal is to gather together to EXPLORE, LEARN, and SHARE, leaving us all more INSPIRED to make an impact.

There is NO cost for this members-only event, but there is food and beverage available for purchase. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity. We'll see you there!

Please register so we know how many to expect.

December Holiday Social - Details coming soon (09 Dec 2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 13:45:00 GMT

December Holiday Social

We will be meeting at the Stonybrook HyVee located at 14591 Stony Brook Blvd, Omaha, NE again this year for fun, food, and conversation. Check back for more details soon.

Explore - Learn - Share - Inspire