Co-Founders
STAN ODENTHAL
Co-Founder, Principal
Stan Odenthal has extensive experience in bringing together and skillfully facilitating collaborative projects amongst multiple stakeholders. He has held multiple executive-level positions in state government before transitioning into consulting and nonprofit leadership. Stan is the former director of the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and the Office of Employment and Training for the Nebraska Department of Labor. He is a licensed attorney and holds a J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
ANA LOPEZ SHALLA
Co-Founder, Principal
Ana has worked at the intersection of education and industry for the majority of her career, helping to better align workforce systems through the development and deployment of strategic initiatives and new programs. Her passion is creating solutions that allow both individual learners and the wider economy to reach their fullest potential. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds an Ed.M. in Learning & Teaching from Harvard University and a B.A. in English & Theology from Boston College. She was also a Fulbright Scholar in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Collaborators (Selected)
CHYTANIA BROWN
Project Collaborator
Chytania is a seasoned workforce development leader with over 17 years of experience at Employ Milwaukee, where she spearheaded initiatives such as creating a reentry department and expanding youth workforce programs. Her statewide leadership includes serving as Administrator of the Division of Employment and Training at Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development, where she led innovative efforts like launching a Mobile Career Lab and expanding workforce services within correctional institutions.
TAYLOR GEHRINGER, Ph.D.
Project Collaborator
Taylor has extensive experience lifting up data and stakeholder voices to answer key questions, help show impact, and facilitate change. Her passion is conducting applied research and translating data into action. She is especially interested in improving communities by centering those most affected by key issues, learning from other communities, and creating new visions for the future.
For the past 10 years, she has served as a consultant working on a variety of projects ranging from creating sector strategy to leading in-the-weeds implementation.
BRAYDEN HICKS
Project Manager
Brayden Hicks is an emerging professional in economic development with experience in both public and nonprofit sectors. Currently interning at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Brayden has developed skills in data analysis, project coordination, and grant writing through roles at The Lark and Hastings Economic Development Corporation, and is completing a BA in Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Real Estate at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
What We Do
