Bio Coming Soon

With a passion for technology and helping others, Drew has a broad background in business and public service. A software engineer by profession, he also serves on the Kearney school board and several other nonprofit boards across the state. Outside of his professional and volunteer work, Drew enjoys home automation projects, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and their two sons.

Erin has been actively serving on the board since May 2022. With a strong background in human services, the non-profit sector, and quality improvement, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. A resident of Kearney for over 20 years, Erin is deeply committed to improving her community, as evidenced by her involvement in establishing the Little Free Pantries in Kearney. She also volunteers with the local Foster Care Review Board and the Kearney Moms with Purpose group. Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Erin enjoys baking, reading, and creating memories with her husband and two children.

Sara Frias has been a resident of Kearney for 24 years and is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Since 2007, she has been dedicated to serving others through her work at the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska. With a strong passion for supporting both frontline staff and clients, Sara is actively involved in various committees and boards focused on homelessness and disability advocacy. Beyond her professional and community commitments, she enjoys watching her daughter’s sports activities. She has been happily married for 13 years.

A longtime Kearney resident, Theresa Yaw has lived in the community for over 30 years. She spent 23 years working in finance and marketing at Baldwin Filters (now Parker Hannifin) and its corporate office before transitioning to higher education. She currently teaches economics at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she also serves as the faculty adviser for the student chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). She holds a BS from Northwest Missouri State University and an MA in Economics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the housing nonprofit, she is also on the Board of the World Theatre. In her free time, she enjoys reading, biking, and traveling with her husband, Brent, to visit their adult children.

A proud resident of Kearney for over 35 years, Shawna Meyer brings a wealth of expertise in interior design, construction, and project management. She is the owner of 24 Hour Tees, Nest:Space, and Shawna Meyer Design, LLC, and has served on the board of Kearney Community Sustainable Housing since January of 2023. When not immersed in the design world or managing her businesses, Shawna enjoys long outdoor runs, remodeling projects (podcast on in the background), and spending time with her husband of 22 years, their two daughters, dog, and two cats.

Stephanie Berry is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Center at Central Community College, where she is passionate about supporting small, local businesses and fostering innovation. With a strong commitment to community development, she enjoys helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving ventures. When she’s not working with business owners or supporting local initiatives, she loves reading, playing volleyball, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her two mini dachshunds—whether on walks or playing in the yard.

Rob Chaney brings deep knowledge and experience in affordable rental and affordable for-sale housing.  His expertise is wide and deep including financial statement and cash flow analysis,  policy creation and implementation and compliance with a myriad of government regulations  During his 31-year career in banking, mostly based in Colorado, he served in a variety of roles at several non-profit organizations including Affordable housing providers Hope Communities, and Archdiocesan Housing Inc. After a brief break post retirement Rob began a next chapter at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver where he led creating and implementing policy for homeowner selection, support, education, qualification, mortgage origination and payment processing.   A Nebraska native, he moved back from Colorado with his family to settle in Kearney in 2023.

Judi Sickler has led the Kearney Area Community Foundation since 2001, overseeing over $34 million in assets and spearheading key projects like Give Where You Live, raising $1.9 million in 24 hours. A Kansas native in Kearney since 1989, she applies corporate, agency, and nonprofit expertise in management, marketing, and communications. Judi also serves on multiple boards, holds a journalism degree from Kansas State, and remains active in community service, positively impacting local causes. She is dedicated to fostering charitable giving and addressing community needs.

Karen has been a resident of Kearney for over 36 years.  She brings experience in leadership, finances, fundraising, and project management. She is retired from Buckle, Inc., but continues to serve on its Board of Directors. Karen has served on the board of Kearney Community Sustainable Housing since January 2023. Karen is proud to be a part of the Kearney community and believes in giving back to our community. She currently also serves on the Board of Directors of Kearney Family YMCA and Crane River Theater, and participates with the University of Nebraska Kearney Foundation’s capital campaign and her church’s Endowment Committee. Karen enjoys spending time with her husband of 45 years, her children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Lisa Lieth has been a resident of Buffalo County for 36 years and of Kearney for 26 years. She has been involved in helping services as a former board member of the Red Cross, Kearney Chamber Diversity Committee, Kearney Works, Fiesta Kearney, Kearney Community Sustainable Housing, and is currently the Social Services Coordinator for the Kearney Salvation Army. She is passionate about helping folks, particularly those in need. She enjoys spending time with her seven children and cheering on her sixteen grandchildren.

Kelly Christensen is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and serves as the Vice President for Community and Workforce Education for Central Community College (CCC) in Kearney. In this role, he enjoys providing opportunities for all students to explore the variety of classes and workshops available to enhance their skills needed for a new career or to start work towards earning a degree.

Kelly has been a member of the Sustainable Housing board since 2023 and brings 30 years of educational experience. Additionally, he has been engaged in the community with active involvement on committees and boards, and is a long-time resident of Kearney with his family.

Shelly is a Vice President/Loan Officer at Five Points Bank in Kearney, where she utilizes her knowledge to assist customers with home financing needs.  She has served on the Kearney Community Sustainable Housing board since May 2023.  She previously served on The Buffalo Community Health Partners’ Finance Committee for 5 years.  Outside of work, Shelly enjoys playing volleyball, kayaking, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.

Ryan was immediately sold on Kearney during his college visit in the Fall of ’99. As a proud alumnus of UNK, Ryan graduated with a B.S. in Comprehensive Criminal Justice in 2004. From 2004 to 2024, Ryan proudly served Kearney as a Patrol Sergeant with the Kearney Police Department, recently retiring in February of '24 to pursue his second passion, Real Estate. Ryan’s love for Real Estate began when he and his wife Kristin made the exciting decision to pursue their dream of investing in rental real estate. Since 2015, they have aggressively built a portfolio of single-family homes and small multifamily properties. Providing safe, clean, attractive housing for their residents is a top priority. Ryan has chosen to serve the citizens of Kearney in a different way now as a full-time Real Estate Professional, licensed as a Realtor with American Real Estate & Associates of Kearney. Ryan has served on the Kearney Community Sustainable Housing board since early 2024, where he was immediately moved by the mission of providing safe, sustainable housing to those individuals who are transitioning from acute crisis situations into stable life situations. Ryan is an active member of St. James Catholic Church, coaches his two daughters’ softball teams, and enjoys serving on several additional non-profit boards in the Kearney area. Ryan is an avid reader, personal development junkie, and loves to travel, with the mountains of Colorado being a favorite destination.