Do you have a friend or colleague who is your, “Hell Yes Girl”? If you don’t, you need one! Today on the Ignite Women in Business and Insurance podcast, we spoke with Katie Zulkoski, the co-founder of Zulkoski Weber in Lincoln, Nebraska. This small-town girl is far from small – she shows up in big ways, taking up space as she builds her confidence in the people she serves. She’s a wife, a momma, a sister and a daughter and believes firmly in the business community serving the community. She is not afraid to manifest the things she wants and takes the time to be an “issue spotter”. To learn more about the women who is my, “Hell Yes Girl”, take a list to this episode.

Katie Weichman Zulkoski is an attorney specializing in lobbying and government affairs. Katie started Zulkoski Weber in 2015, offering a client-focused, solutions-oriented, professional conduit for businesses and associations to interact with elected officials and public policy leaders. Over the last 10 years, Katie has created successful legislative strategies for Fortune 50 businesses, national non-profits, and Midwest-grown industries. Outside the firm, Katie dedicates much of her time to public service on state-wide, non-profit boards. Katie has received the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Group 4 under 40 award; was selected as a Finalist for the Inspire Lincoln’s Woman of the Year and has been recognized by the community for her work in founding Rise Lincoln, a speaker series and coaching community for Lincoln women in business. Katie graduated first in her class from Creighton University School of Law with a certificate of concentration in Business Law.

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing up with her Grandparents, Kristen Rivers has demonstrated grit and tenacity as she has worked tirelessly to change the trajectory of her life. Forced to face life as an adult while still a child herself, she was committed to staying out of the foster care system and remain independent. Today, Kristen is a thriving Senior leader with Pareto Health and is working to change the way employers view the financing of their healthcare plans. The people she works with breathe confidence into her every single day which helps her stay aligned personally and professionally. She loves to travel and is a foodie and most of all loves to be outside with her pups. Join us as we dive into Kristen’s story of confidence, bravery and grit. 

00:00 – Welcome Kristen Rivers

08:08 – Failing is How You Learn

32:03 – The Role of Insurance Companies

43:44 – Pareto Helps Controls Healthcare Costs

49:08 – Networking is Important

53:45 – What Do You Do for Fun?

Resources:

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenrivers

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is a human centric leader? Someone who sees the whole person in the hopes of helping them find the best version of themself. In this episode of the Ignite podcast, we share how Tracy Ward, Chief Human Resource Officer with PartnerHero-Crescendo is doing just that – focusing on the people within her organization. Her behavioral health background helps her dive deep into understanding how people’s behaviors contribute to the strength of their company. Not only is Tracy a “minister” of her workplace, but she is also a recovering people pleaser and now stands firmly in her truth. She is an adrenaline junky and loves spending time with her wife and life partner, LaToya and their 9-month-old Boxer, Maximus. Join us to learn more!

00:00 – Welcome Tracy Ward

09:57 – Questioning Yourself

15:07 – Separating Personal Life and Professional Life

34:12 – What Do You Do for Fun?

39:00 – Challenges for Young Women of Color

Resources:

Partner Hero

https://www.partnerhero.com/blog/meet-tracy-l-ward-partnerheros-new-chief-people-officer

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tlward

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy New Year and welcome to Season #2 of the Ignite Women in Business podcast. In this episode, Cara shares some best practices in terms of reflecting on 2024 and leaning into your goals and dreams for 2025. What are you most proud of? What do you want to continue to focus on? What do you want to stop doing? What lessons did you learn. Take some time to write down (and it does not have to be perfect) what you want to accomplish in 2025! If you need support as you are doing your 2025 planning, reach out to Cara – she will remind you of how amazing you are and help to get you started!

Don’t forget to register for the 8th annual 2025 Ignite Women in Business Conference on March 4, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska. Register here: Ignite Women in Business | Fueling the Future of Female Leadership

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As women, we are trained / raised to play it safe. On today’s episode we have the privilege of speaking with Ling Shao, Found and CEO of SpectrumAi, which a digital health start-up that improves access to high quality care for children on the autism spectrum. SpectrumAi has created an intuitive interface for clinicians to easily capture objective data and leverages advanced analytics to drive improved outcomes. As an engineer, clinician and mom of young boys on the autism spectrum, she has a deep-rooted passion for democratizing access to high quality care for families like hers. 

Ling shares her story and her passion around solving problems and driving solutions or as she calls it, “pushing a rock uphill”. She shares how she creates conversations that bring value while feeling uncomfortable. Making a difference is the reason she shows up every single day. Ling holds an MBA from Harvard University and BS in Nuclear Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering from MIT.  

Prior to founding SpectrumAi, Ling rapidly accelerated growth as the Chief Commercial Officer of Buoy Health, an AI symptom checker startup. Ling played a critical role in telehealth adoption at major health systems like Cleveland Clinic, Providence and Atrium Health while serving as the SVP Strategic Solutions of AmWell. She also spent over a decade at UnitedHealthcare and Optum in leadership roles spanning product, clinical and sales. Ling started her career as a senior consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton and a research nurse at Mass General.  

Ling is a proud US Army veteran and spends most of her spare time teaching her sons how to play ice hockey.

00:00 – Welcome Ling Shao

07:11 – Women Who Take Breaks Have Trouble Re-entering the Workforce

20:40 – Consultant for Healthcare Issues

38:49 – Being Exceptional in Large Organizations Makes Others Uncomfortable

52:58 – What Are You Reading?

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sara Hanke is a Commercial Real Estate Agent with CARR. She helps healthcare professionals maximize their profitability through real estate. Sara is a wife, a mother, a real estate guru and an extroverted introvert. She grows her confidence through her marriage and friendships and brings that confidence to the work she does every single day. She is a Nebraska transplant from a small town in Minnesota and loves all things Omaha. She is a foodie and her favorite go to spot in Omaha right now is Clio. Join us as we explore Sara’s journey!

Connect with Sara Hanke on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahanke

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emma Fox is the CEO of ePowered Companies. Her resume is impressive as she is an innovator, entrepreneur, mother and wife! She shares her story of standing in her own truth and taking a position on what she believes in, even while receiving pressure from those who may not share her beliefs. She grew up in England (but you won’t hear an English accent) and now lives in North Carolina with her husband their blended family. She shares how she is working to remove the injustices from the healthcare system as she finds them. You do not want to miss this episode!

Connect with Emma Fox on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmamariefox?trk=public_post_main-feed-card-text&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Ignite podcast, we get to know Sara Dannen. Sara is an attorney, HR leader and all-around bad ass woman. As the Vice President of People & Culture at Vance Thompson she lives by the company guiding principles, including doing the Right Thing – always. Sara has taken an active role in understanding how she can show up as her authentic self, mastering her own course and being herself. One of her favorite things about working at Vance Thompson is the “Make Someone’s Day” activity which allows any Vance Thompson employee to use up to $100 to make someone’s day – either a Vance Thompson patient or an employee. Culture is everything at Vance Thompson and improving someone’s life through a helpful gesture can really make a difference. 

Sara Greff Dannen, is a distinguished HR attorney and executive with over 15 years of experience in the health, energy, and finance sectors. As the Vice President of People & Culture at Vance Thompson Vision, she excels in developing strategic HR programs, driving transformations, and implementing competitive compensation and benefits structures. Sara's expertise in legal compliance, performance management, and talent acquisition has been instrumental in fostering positive, results-oriented environments. Her previous roles include Director of Compensation and Executive Rewards at Sanford Health, where she led the development of comprehensive compensation programs and streamlined administrative processes. As Corporate Counsel for Advanced Asset Alliance and Northwestern Energy, Sara provided strategic legal counsel, ensured regulatory compliance, and managed complex litigation. Sara holds a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics from the same institution. She is licensed to practice law in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Montana. Sara's professional affiliations include leadership roles in various community and professional organizations, underscoring her commitment to excellence and service.

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ripple Effect – the continuing and spreading results of an event or action. In this episode of the Ignite podcast, we discuss how the Ripple Effect brings joy to our friend, Andrea Fredrickson. She is an author, coach, podcaster, speaker and entrepreneur. In addition to all of those things, she is my friend, confident and trusted partner. Andrea shares her passion of not making work suck and how she inspires others to create their own ripple effect. Join us for this episode. 

Andrea is the CEO of Revela. Revela [Rah-vel-a] To reveal, make known, discover, divulge, which is really what we do. We don’t teach and lecture in an effort to help people become stronger leaders; we help you think differently about your leadership style. This allows you to discover, or ‘reveal’ skills you already possess. By transforming your leadership style through self-discovery, you become more confident and ultimately more effective in your role.

00:00 - Who is Andrea Fredrickson?

10:00 - Coaching is About the Psychology

19:53 - That’s the Point!

29:40 - Power in Acknowledgement of Behavior

39:55 - Those Who are Most Successful…

48:28 - Where to find Revela Group

48:59 - Lightening Round Qs

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet Dr. Mary Trecek, Associate Research Director for LIMRA; a member association for the insurance industry. Passionate about education and her community, Mary brings her energy to everything she does. She is a member of the Ignite Women in Business and Insurance conference committee and learned about Ignite as an attendee. She is now heavily involved in organizing the fabulous event and we are so lucky to have her. She is Mrs. Bellevue Nebraska where she is working to drive change in the community. She encourages and inspires people (and women) to be their authentic selves and not be “robots”. You do not want to miss this episode. 

00:00 – Introduction – Associate Research Director

13:36 – Retaining Energy & Confidence

21:24 – We’re Not Robots

33:18 – How Did Your Parents Instill Confidence?

40:44 – Lightening Round Qs

45:02 – Connect with Mary

Get Connected!

LinkedIn: Ignite Women In Insurance

Twitter: @IgniteNebraska

Facebook: Ignite Women in Insurance Nebraska

Instagram: ignitenebraska

Website: Ignite! (ignitewomenininsurance.org)

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.