Michael Leighton, President and CEO
mike@omahafoundation.org
Mike began his Presidency at the Foundation in July of 2003, after having spent the last 31 years at Creighton University. During his tenure there, he secured more than $400 million in gifts. Mike is an alumnus of Creighton, having earned his BA there. He is an active member of the community and serves on many non-profit boards, in addition to representing OCF at the Council on Foundations and the Omaha Estate Planning Council.

Sara Boyd, Vice President
sara@omahafoundation.org
Sara began her career at the Omaha Community Foundation in September, 2000, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of Endow Nebraska, an organization advocating for and promoting the Nebraska charitable tax credit. Sara is immediate past President of the Heartland Council of Community Foundations and a board member of the Planned Giving Council of Nebraska. Sara is an active member of serveral community foundation professional associations and, in that capacity, has led various regional and national conference planning committees. She completed the National Planned Giving Institute's intensive professional training and received her MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business part-time while at the Foundation. Sara received her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Sara is an active participant on several boards within the community, is a past recipient of the Omaha Jaycee's Ten Outstanding Young Omahans award, and is an alumnus of Leadership Omaha.

Kali Baker, Director of Communications
kali@omahafoundation.org
Kali started at the Omaha Community Foundation in September 2007. She has over seven years of marketing and communications experience in her previous positions at Kiewit Building Group and Borsheim’s. She received her BS in Marketing Management from Bellevue University. Kali has been actively involved in the community supporting organizations like Nebraska Friends of Foster Children, Taste of the Nation, YWCA, and All About Omaha.








Patrick McNamara, Director of Philanthropic Services
patrick@omahafoundation.org 
Patrick joined the Omaha Community Foundation in November, 2005. Originally from Portland, OR, he spent 13 years consulting in the areas of strategic planning, conflict resolution and program development. He served as Coordinator of the Omaha Hate Crimes Project, a partnership, originally funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, between community groups and law enforcement. Patrick earned his Ph.D. at the School of Public Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His dissertation research, funded by a fellowship from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, focused on public, private and nonprofit collaboration. He earned an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a B.A. in Religion from Swarthmore College where he studied ethics and comparative religions.

Hillary S. Nather-Detisch, Director of Donor Accounts
hillary@omahafoundation.org
Hillary joined the Omaha Community Foundation in April 2006, and has over six years of fundraising experience working for various non-profit organizations in the Omaha community. She is active in promoting young professionals to become more involved philanthropically in their community as the Co-Chair for the Omaha Venture Group, and serves on many non-profit boards. In addition, she is an active board of director for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Nebraska Chapter. Hillary earned an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a certificate in Museum Studies from Harvard University and a B.A. in Political Science from San Francisco State University.

Dennis Nissen, Southwest Iowa Program Officer
dennis@omahafoundation.org
Dennis has been at the Omaha Community Foundation since July, 1996 and has spent his 32 year career fundraising at non-profit organizations. He serves as the program officer for southwest Iowa and is a past president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for the Nebraska Chapter. Dennis is a graduate of the Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and history.

Robin Spitznagle, Office Manager
robin@omahafoundation.org
Robin has been employed by the Omaha Community Foundation since July of 1996 and is responsible for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the office. In addition to her duties as office manager, Robin is responsible for maintaining the Foundation's website and is proficient at answering most questions related to establishing an account. She has completed the National Planned Giving Institute professional training. In addition to her role at the Foundation, Robin developed and maintains a website that serves as a resource for people who camp in Iowa.

Melisa Sunde, Chief Financial Officer
melisa@omahafoundation.org
Melisa joined the Omaha Community Foundation in January 2007. She brings more than 10 years of accounting experience in a variety of industries, including a private equity investment firm and a manufacturing company. She was most recently the Portfolio Analyst at McCarthy Group, Inc. Melisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Iowa State University. She's also been active as a youth mentor, working with teens on academic performance and personal development.

Support Team

Beckie Brabec, Receptionist
beckie@omahafoundation.org
Beckie has been at the Omaha Community Foundation since November of 2006. Prior to joining the staff, she spent ten years working for 20/20 Visionwear in Council Bluffs performing multiple duties such as receptionist, bookkeeper, and one-on-one with the clientele. Beckie received her Iowa Board of Opticians certificate.

Betty Carrico, Philanthropic Services Assistant
betty@omahafoundation.org
Betty has been at the Foundation since February, 2003 and serves as support for the Development Team. She brings many years of experience and expertise to the Foundation.

Diane Darrington, Donor Accounts Assistant
diane@omahafoundation.org
Diane began her employment at the Omaha Community Foundation in January, 2001. Her primary responsibilities include generating grant checks, performing due diligence regarding those grants, and keeping donor files up-to-date. Diane graduated from Iowa Western Community College with an Associates Degree in accounting. Prior to working at the Foundation, she was the bookkeeper at Peters Law Firm for 13 years.

Kathy Johnson, Finance Assistant
kathy@omahafoundation.org
Kathy has been at the Foundation since July of 2002 and serves as the finance assistant. She brings to OCF over 10 years of working in the accounting field and is responsible for accounts payable, gift deposits, and the finance area in the director’s absence. Kathy is a graduate of IWCC, having received her associates degree in business administration. Prior to her employment at OCF, she worked for her husband’s accounting firm in Sidney, IA.

Pamela Pierce, Development/Marketing Assistant
pam@omahafoundation.org
Pam began working for the Foundation on June 18, 2008.  She earned her B.S. in Social Science and completed one year of post-graduate work at Dana College.  Before coming to the Foundation, Pam enjoyed 17 years as the Development Department Associate and Direct Mail Coordinator for The Salvation Army in Omaha, NE.  Pam brings with her a host of skills that will enhance the way in which the Foundation works with its clients.





Kristine Penney, Assistant Grants Administrator
kris@omahafoundation.org
Kris began working for the Foundation on February 16, 2004. She earned an Administrative Assistant Certificate from the Barnes Business College in Denver, CO and has several years of experience in this field. She was most recently employed by Mercy Housing Midwest. With Kris' help, the Omaha Community Foundation is enhancing its program department to better serve the agencies with which it works.