Women in Business

Featured Speaker: Kindra Hall

Kindra Hall told her first story in the spring of 1992.

Long before storytelling became a business buzzword, Kindra was fulfilling a 5th grade language arts assignment by reading a story to a room full of out-of-control 3rd graders. Instead of reading from the pages, Kindra set the storybook aside and told the story herself. Within the first few sentences, she held those unruly 3rd graders in the palm of her hand and knew, in that moment, she had stumbled upon something powerful.

Since that time, Hall has become the go-to expert for storytelling in business and beyond. She is the best-selling author of Stories that Stick: How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform Your Business. Stories that Stick debuted at #2 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List, and companies like Forbes and Gartner say it “may be the most valuable business book you read.” And her newest book, Choose Your Story, Change Your Life is one of the Next Big Idea Club’s top 10 happiness books.

Kindra Hall is a sought-after storytelling keynote speaker trusted by global brands to deliver messages that inspire teams and individuals to better communicate the value of their company, their products and their individuality through strategic storytelling. Hall is also the former Chief Storytelling Officer at Success Magazine where she shared the inspiring, often untold, stories of achievers like Daymond John, Deepak Chopra, James Altucher and Misty Copeland in print and on the podcast Success Stories with Kindra Hall.

Kindra lives in Manhattan with her husband, young son and daughter. When she is not traveling the world speaking, Kindra can usually be found at spin class, spending time with friends or exploring the city with her family.

Panel Topic: Telling Your Real Business Story

Featured Panelists - 

Addis Browne, Roots Collective

Meet the woman behind Roots Collective
After graduating from College of Hair Design here in Lincoln, Ne, I started working at Fernando’s Salon (Salon F). I worked there for numerous years learning from my mentor Tom and his father, Fernando. Tom was a creative technical haircutter and Fernando had been a hairstylist for 40+ years. I gained confidence behind the chair and saw firsthand that it takes more than skill to keep clients coming back.
After Salon F, I decided I was ready to start my own independent business. I rented a suite and kicked off my own mini salon, party of one. A few months into it, I thought, if I can manage my own business, I can open a salon with other stylists. I really missed the community of working with other stylists in a full salon.
In my suite business, I worked to find a balance between work and becoming a mother. I wore many different hats and grew my own clientele at the same time. I also became more interested in curly hair cutting as my own journey had come back around to embracing my natural hair. Working with natural textures was not taught in hair school so I started watching youtube videos and trying techniques that made sense to me with an innate understanding of curls and waves.
My dream for Roots is to be a safe space for all. Whether you believe you deserve it or not, you need time to yourself. The world just seems to get faster paced and we’re constantly told to buy more and rush off to the next thing. We want to be a place to press pause. We will not double book or rush through your service. We won’t pressure any add-on services and you’ll know what to expect to pay at the beginning of your service. We believe hairstylists are creatives. The best hair happens with a clear consultation and proper time to collaborate and create something beautiful.
 

Michaella Kumke, The Food Bank of Lincoln

Michaella Kumke serves as President and CEO, alongside a team of 32 colleagues, at the Food Bank of Lincoln. Her Food Bank career began in 2015 first as Communications Director then as Community Engagement Director before being named President and CEO in May 2021. Her 20+ years of nonprofit experience includes work in educational broadcasting, health care, and early childhood development. 

Ms. Kumke is a community volunteer who currently serves on the City of Lincoln’s Age-Friendly Lincoln Committee, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Bryan Medical Center Board of Trustees. In her free time, you will likely find Ms. Kumke reading an overdue library book or shopping at Francie & Finch Bookstore, enjoying live music, or exploring a trail with her fellow nature-loving spouse Ariana and their energetic mutt Frankie. 
 

Lyn Wineman, KidGlov President and Chief Strategist

You will be hard-pressed to find anyone more passionate about marketing than Lyn Wineman. For the past 30 years, she has partnered with a variety of large national organizations, regional powerhouse brands, and many of our favorite nonprofit organizations and public health initiatives. As founder of full-service boutique advertising agency KidGlov, she is surrounded by a talented team with the mission of putting a megaphone in front of those who are doing good. KidGlov proudly stands as a Certified B-Corp since 2021—a testament to their unwavering commitment to social and environmental excellence. Lyn is also the host of the Agency for Change podcast which amplifies the voices of those who are making a positive impact on the world. 

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