Lisa Volenec is a former television executive and career journalist dedicated to amplifying the voices of those living with Parkinson’s disease.
Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s in 2014, Lisa kept her diagnosis private for more than a decade while continuing to lead at a high level professionally, most recently serving as General Manager of KMTV, the CBS affiliate in Omaha.
She publicly revealed her diagnosis for the first time in 2024 at The Michael J. Fox Foundation Gala, alongside Stevie Nicks, a close friend who has been a meaningful source of support throughout her journey. A year later, Lisa made the decision to step away from her executive role to focus on advocacy.
Drawing on her background in storytelling, Lisa founded the This Is Parkinson’s nonprofit to elevate authentic patient voices and highlight the diverse, deeply personal experiences of living with the disease.
Today, Lisa is committed to turning her voice into a platform for others, ensuring that every person living with Parkinson’s is not only heard, but impossible to ignore.
Gamble Tech Firm Founder & Global CEO Tiffany Gamble is a visionary leader, workforce development strategist, and advocate for expanding opportunities for Black women and girls in technology. With more than two decades of experience in education, leadership, and community engagement, she is the founder of both Gamble Tech Firm and Emerging Ladies Academy, organizations dedicated to preparing underserved communities for the future of work through STEM, AI, digital skills, and career-connected learning.
Tiffany is passionate about creating pathways into tech careers through mentorship, workforce training, entrepreneurship, and innovative programming. Her work spans local and global initiatives, including partnerships in Nebraska and Ghana focused on empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders. Known for her bold vision and community-centered approach, Tiffany continues to champion economic mobility, representation, and access in the tech ecosystem.
Please join us in giving a very warm welcome to Ron Snyder, our newest member of the Rotary Club of Omaha!
Ron recently moved to Omaha from Moline, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities. He brings with him an impressive 30+ years of Rotary experience and is also a Paul Harris Fellow.
Before retiring, Ron was a partner and owner of a healthcare services company, where he was responsible for managing hospital business offices and clinics nationwide.
Ron continues to serve on several for-profit and nonprofit boards and is excited to build new relationships, get involved, and contribute to the Omaha community.
We’re so happy to have Ron join our Rotary family and look forward to getting to know him, sharing in fellowship, and working alongside him in service to our community.
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Omaha, Ron! We’re thrilled to have you with us!
We’re excited to welcome Kealy Fischer to the Rotary Club of Omaha! An Omaha native, Kealy brings a genuine passion for youth development, community involvement, and creating opportunities that help the next generation thrive.
Before joining Lemonade Day, Kealy served as the Character & Leadership Lead for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands. In that role, she worked with youth of all ages through leadership, life skills, and personal development programs, with a special passion for supporting and empowering at-risk youth.
Today, Kealy serves as the Omaha Community Manager for Lemonade Day, where she is leading the organization’s first-ever initiative in Omaha. She is passionate about inspiring young people to recognize their potential and creating opportunities for them to succeed while making a lasting difference in the community she proudly calls home.
Outside of work, Kealy enjoys playing in a local volleyball league, spending time with her black cat, Otis, who recently celebrated his first birthday, and getting out and enjoying all that Omaha has to offer—from local events and farmers markets to festivals. She’s also a self-proclaimed thrill seeker who has taken on the tallest drop tower in North America and is always looking for her next adventure!
Kealy is looking forward to becoming part of the Rotary Club of Omaha, meeting fellow members, building new friendships, and connecting with others who share her passion for service and making a positive difference in our community.
Welcome to the Rotary family, Kealy! We’re so happy to have you with us and can’t wait to get to know you!
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Peggy Carrell, longtime Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Omaha, who passed away on September 29, 2026, at the age of 78.
For more than a decade, Peggy was the steady hand behind our club. Longtime members remember her for her accuracy, her good sense of humor, her professionalism, and, above all, the way she took care of Rotarians. Details rarely slipped past Peggy, and neither did people. She understood that Rotary was ultimately about relationships, service, and bringing people together. Much of what our club is today was shaped by her care, dedication, and years of faithful service.
Past President Tom Gouttierre remembers Peggy as an essential partner during his year as club president:
“I loved being President of the Rotary Club of Omaha. The reason I was able to love that job was Peggy! As club Executive Secretary, Peggy was a super, thoughtful, professional, and engaging partner. I was President, but it was Peggy who made it work for me and many others. Peggy was a dear friend and fellow Rotarian!”
Past President John Mock remembers Peggy’s influence in another important way. It was Peggy who encouraged him to become more engaged and active in Rotary. His experience speaks to a gift Peggy possessed throughout her years with the club: she did not simply administer Rotary. She drew people into it. She recognized their potential, encouraged their involvement, and helped them find a place to serve.
That legacy can be seen in the Rotarians she supported, the leaders she helped succeed, and the countless details she quietly handled so that others could focus on service. Club presidents came and went, boards changed, and projects evolved, but Peggy provided continuity and institutional knowledge through it all.
Peggy was also the beloved wife of Past District Governor Roger Carrell, with whom she shared 57 years of marriage. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. To her family, she was the heart of their home, creating traditions, gathering loved ones together, and building a legacy that extended far beyond Rotary.
As we remember Peggy, we celebrate more than her years of service. We remember a friend, a fellow Rotarian, a trusted colleague, and a woman whose quiet influence helped shape generations of Rotary leadership.
Please keep Roger and the entire Carrell family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Peggy served Rotary by taking care of its people. Her work mattered. Her friendships mattered. And her legacy will remain part of the Rotary Club of Omaha for years to come.
Mark your calendar and bring your appetite! The Rotary Club of Omaha invites you to Mac & Mules: Create Lasting Impact! on Wednesday, October 28, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Lucky Bucket Brewing Co., 11941 Centennial Rd., LaVista.
This is more than a night of great food and drinks. It is an opportunity to enjoy an evening with friends while supporting two meaningful Rotary initiatives: the Eighth Grade Honor Roll and the 9/11 Memorial.
Guests can enjoy gourmet mac & cheese and signature mules, with ticket options for individuals, couples, VIP guests, and families. General admission starts at $40, VIP tickets include unlimited drinks and mac, and youth tickets make it easy to bring the whole family. Children 9 and under are free with one mac and soda included.
But we need more than attendance. We need your help filling the room.
Buy your tickets early, then help us spread the word. Invite a friend, bring your family, share the event with coworkers, forward it to neighbors, or make it a night out with another Rotary member. Every additional guest helps extend the impact of the event and introduces more people to the work Rotary is doing in our community.
Mac & Mules is designed to be fun, relaxed, and family-friendly, so you do not have to be a Rotarian to join us. In fact, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce someone to Rotary without bringing them to a meeting. Let them experience the fellowship, community spirit, and purpose behind what we do.
Ticket Options: General Admission is $40 for one ticket or $60 for two. VIP admission is $75 for one or $100 for two and includes unlimited drinks and mac. Youth ages 10 to 15 are $15 with unlimited mac and soda, while children 9 and under are free.
Come hungry. Bring people you enjoy. Help us Create Lasting Impact and make this an evening that translates directly into greater support for our community.
This month’s Rotary After Hours takes us somewhere a little unexpected. Fellow Rotarian and Forest Lawn Executive Director Brian Kruse is hosting us at Forest Lawn for an evening of fellowship in one of Omaha’s most distinctive and historic settings.
Forest Lawn is much more than a cemetery and funeral services provider. It is a place filled with Omaha history, remarkable architecture, and stories of many of the people who helped shape our community. Come enjoy a different kind of Rotary gathering, connect with fellow Rotarians, and bring your friends and family along for the experience.
Tuesday, October 20 | 4:30–6:00 PM Forest Lawn 7909 Mormon Bridge Rd. Omaha, NE 68152
October is going to be a special month in District 5650, and I hope one of the highlights will be seeing many of you at Fusion 5650, our District Conference, October 23-24 in Ashland!
Our District Conference is more than an event on the calendar. It’s a chance to reconnect with Rotary friends, meet new ones, share ideas, celebrate what our clubs are accomplishing, and return home energized about what comes next. After spending the past several months visiting clubs throughout our District, I can tell you there is a lot worth celebrating!
As I write this, I’ve completed all but one of my official club visits. What an experience it has been! I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible things happening throughout our District, to hear your stories, meet your members, and learn more about the communities you serve.
And one message has come through loud and clear: Rotary creates impact when we see a need and decide to do something about it.
That fits perfectly with October’s Rotary focus on Economic and Community Development. Across our District, Rotarians are strengthening communities in ways large and small. Sometimes that means a major project. Sometimes it means supporting a local organization, creating opportunities for young people, helping a neighbor, or simply bringing the right people together to solve a problem.
October also brings us one of Rotary’s greatest examples of sustained impact: our commitment to ending polio. World Polio Day is October 24, right in the middle of our District Conference. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remember what Rotarians can accomplish when we commit ourselves to a goal and keep going.
Throughout my club visits, I’ve talked a lot about the difference between change and impact. Change is what we do. Impact is what happens because we did it.
As I near the end of my club visits, I’m even more convinced that District 5650 is filled with Rotarians who are making an impact every single day.
So this October, let’s celebrate that impact. Let’s celebrate our communities, renew our commitment to ending polio, and bring all of that Rotary energy together at Fusion 5650.
I hope to see you in Ashland!
Yours in Rotary, Gretchen Bren District Governor, Rotary District 5650
The Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation is now accepting grant applications for 2026-2027 Rotary year, with nearly $40,000 available to support projects that make a meaningful impact in education, veteran services, and senior citizen programs.
📅 Application Deadline: November 30, 2026 – Late submissions will not be accepted!
We invite community organizations and individuals to apply, recommend, or submit proposals for initiatives that align with our mission.
🔹 How to Apply: ✔ Review the grant criteria ✔ Complete the application form ✔ Submit by the deadline
For more details about the Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Foundation President Tobi Mathouser at 402-231-1972 or tmathouser@goodwillomaha.org.
Are you new to the Club or know someone who recently joined? Join us for one of our upcoming New Member Orientation sessions! These meetings are a great opportunity to learn about the Club, discover member benefits, meet fellow members, and ask any questions you may have.
Upcoming Orientations:
Wednesday, October 7 at 11:00 am
Wednesday, October 28 at 11:00 am
Whether you're just getting started or would like a refresher, we encourage you to attend one of these sessions. We look forward to welcoming you and helping you make the most of your membership!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Yearling Chair Jill Slupe.
Stephen Center partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Stephen Center has served the homeless and low-income in Omaha since 1984 through its three programs: Emergency Shelter, HERO Program, and Transitional Living Program. The Omaha Downtown Rotary partners with Stephens Center in serving hot meals to its residents.
September 1, 2026 volunteers at Stephen Center L to R: Brett Neely, Fletcher Reel, Scott Meyerson, Colin McArthur, Steve McCollister, Colleen Brennan, and Scott Kinnaird
Where three or more Rotarians gather, it's called a Rotary Social, and you earn attendance credits. Rotarians may come from different clubs. Connect with Rotarians and enjoy the power of Rotary fellowship. Below are our recent Rotary Socials.
Rotarians gather at the Goodwill Gala.
Habitat Women’s Build. From left to right: Lisa Schiele, First Lady Viv Ewing, and Mayor John Ewing.
Rotarians at Denise Powell’s Watch Party: (L–R) First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, and Chris Rath.
Rotarians Meet Up at Church: (L–R) Matt Boulay, Hannah Patterson, and Sue Kutschkau
Rotarians meet up: Andrea Bellamy, Dakotah Smith and First Lady Viv Ewing
Rotarians at Creighton Prep Sports Banquet, L to R: Larry Guenther, Justin Dougherty, and Zac Treimert
Rotarians at the Citizen of the Year Awards: Former Mayor Hal Daub, Mayor John Ewing, and First Lady Viv Ewing
Rotarians connecting and catching up before the meeting L to R: Brad Burklund, Tom Adams, Colleen Brennan, Brett Frevert, Shelly Ruwe, and John Sullivan
Rotarians at the Walter Scott Jr. Citizen of the Year event, honoring the Cassling family. L to R: First Lady Viv Ewing, Mayor John Ewing, Chris Mehaffey, Jonathan Cartner
Rotarians at the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy Speaker Event at Baxter Arena: Chris Knauff, Susan Koesters, Sue Kutschau, and Howard Epstein (Suburban)
Rotarians at the Governor’s Summit: From left to right, Brett Frevert, Larry Guenther, and Shelly Ruwe.
The Rotary Club of Omaha is now recruiting more members! It's your opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Omaha, click here to complete the membership application form. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Sarah Robak at sarah.robakcfa@gmail.com.
American Express Online Giving
Archdiocesan Schools
Bennington Schools Foundation
Centris
Chase Bank
Club Foundation
Club Service Fund
CFO Systems
Creighton University
DA Davidson
Elkhorn Schools Foundation
EHPV
FNBO
Goodwill Industries
Jungle Driving
Metro Community College
Millard Schools Foundation
Omaha Massage Therapy
Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Ralston Schools Foundation
UNO College of Business Administration
Union Omaha
Westside Foundation
Individuals:
Anonymous Donor
Bill Harvey
Brad Burklund
Brett Frevert
Chris Rath
Colleen Brennan
Deb Skinner
Fletcher Reel
Fr. Lloyd Gnirk
Gretchen Harvey
Heidi McGinness
Jim Stewart
Jim Suttle
John Ewing
John Marburger
John Mock
Larry Guenther
Larry Johansen
Lisa Tonjes Moritz
Mary Daub
Hal Daub
Paul Cohen
Randy Voorst
Randy Wieseler
Sandy Lemke
Todd Lemke
Scott Buchholz
Steve Carper
Steve McCollister
Tom Gouttierre
Viv Ewing
