Meet The Experts in Nonprofits
The panelists below will share more about how they got interested in nonprofits and provide advice and insight to UNL students looking to break into roles in this field.
Kate Nootenboom (she/her/hers)
Hubbard Conservation Fellow with The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska
What sparked your interest in this field?
I have always loved being physically engaged in my work, preferably in the outdoors. To me, conservation is a perfect way to stay engaged in my surroundings while also contributing to the incredibly important mission of healing and preserving the natural systems upon which we all depend.
How did you gain experience when you were a student completing your undergraduate degree?
I worked in the campus arboretum at my college, initially helping with the manual labor of stewardship and eventually becoming a student naturalist and research assistant to the arboretum dirctor.
Who is someone that influenced your career and professional development?
My boss at the Cowling Arboretum at Carleton College, Nancy Braker!
What is one important skill you’ve had to acquire and hone as you’ve grown in your career?
Silencing self-doubt. And using a chainsaw. (Still working on both.)
Kelli Bacon (she)
Certified Local Government Coordinator/Acting Section 106 Coordinator at History Nebraska, President of Nebraska Museum Association.
What sparked your interest in this field?
I am interested in understanding what drives people to make certain policy decisions.
How did you gain experience when you were a student completing your undergraduate degree?
I interned for Senator Vargas in the Legislature. I also worked in UNL’s athletic department as the Big Ten Diversity Intern.
Who is someone that influenced your career and professional development?
Working with Ernie Chambers greatly impacted my professional development because he’s shown me what it’s like to be a true advocate for “the least, the last, and the lost”. He always tries his hardest to help all Nebraskans – not just his constituents – that come and ask him for help. I really admire that about him because he was a perfect example of what it looks like to be a public servant.
What is one important skill you’ve had to acquire and hone as you’ve grown in your career?
The ability to look at a problem from multiple angles and to assess the impact of potential solutions.
Human Services, Nonprofits, Nonprofit-Government, Social Justice Meet Up
Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 5:30 PM
To access the program go to this link
*Check out the outstanding panel of professionals below who will share about how they got started
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