CEO Welcome Reception

Honorees

Michaella Kumke, President and CEO, Food Bank of Lincoln

Michaella Kumke is the President and CEO of the Food Bank of Lincoln. She succeeded longtime Executive Director Scott Young on May 1, 2021, and is the fourth leader in the organization’s history. Kumke, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications School (UNL CoJMC), was promoted from the role of Community Engagement Director at the Food Bank, where she has worked since 2015. She has nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience that in addition to the Food Bank includes educational broadcasting (NET, now Nebraska Public Media), health care (Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals) and early childhood development (Lincoln Children’s Museum).

Kumke grew up in Hastings, Neb., and is an active community volunteer who recently concluded her term as Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln’s board chair and as a UNL CoJMC student mentor. She currently serves on the Lincoln Journal Star's Inspire Lincoln Advisory Committee, LPS Community Communications Advisory Committee and received the 2021 Inspire Award in the nonprofit category.

Dr. Roger Hughes, President, Doane University

Dr. Roger Hughes started as Doane University’s 13th President in June 2021. A native of Crawford, Nebraska, he graduated from Doane College in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education and was active as both a player and coach for the college’s football and basketball teams. He received his master’s and doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and was part of the Husker football coaching staff under Tom Osborne.

From Nebraska, he was on the coaching staffs of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Dartmouth University and Princeton University. Most recently, Hughes served as head coach at Stetson University, where he was hired to completely remake the university’s football program after a 56-year absence. The experiences he gained during a decade of working with Stetson’s administration to create a thriving D-1 team prepared him to take his next step and to tackle a life-long goal as president of his alma mater.

Julie Perkins, Servicing Intent and Operations Director for the Partnerships Servicing Team, Capital One

Julie Perkins is the Servicing Intent and Operations Director for the Partnerships Servicing Team at Capital One, virtually located in our Lincoln Community! Julie has a passion for Diversity, Equity, and Belonging and is certified with SFU in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace. Prior to moving to Capital One in January of 2020, Julie was at Nationwide Insurance for almost 18 years in a variety of roles. Her experience includes Operations, Training and Quality, Process Management, Supplier Management, and Lean Leadership.

Julie was born and raised in Nebraska on a farm outside of Hallam. Outside of work you’ll find Julie and her husband Nick chasing around their four children to various activities, spending time with family and friends, and following the Kansas City Royals and all things Huskers! Go Big Red!

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