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What: Can Do Awards

When: Tuesday - May 5, 2026

11:00 AM - Doors Open

11:30 AM - Program Begins

1:00 PM - Program Concludes

Where: Scott Conference Center (6450 Pine Street in Omaha)

Contact: Mike Joyce, mjoyce@kidscan.org, 402-731-6988

Event Chairs: Jill Feilmeier and Maria Valentin

Honorary Chairs

We are pleased to have Tim and Terri Burke as this year's Honorary Chairs for the Can Do Awards Luncheon.

Tim Burke is retired president & CEO for OPPD. After joining OPPD in 1997, he served as vice president of many OPPD functions and in 2015, he became president and CEO. From March - July 2023 he served as president & CEO of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and currently, he is president of the Offutt Advisory Council and the Offutt Community Development Corporation which is focused on airmen and family support for positive projects at Offutt Air Force Base. He also plays in a band called “Shenanigans” with his sons, a good friend and his two sons – and they played at UWM’s 100-year Celebration Concert last May.

Terri is an active volunteer across the metro. In 1989, she started volunteering at Saint Mary’s Catholic School with the Kindergarten class, and then in 2008, she also started volunteering at St. Matthews Catholic School for several more years. From 2003-2005, Terri volunteered with the Children’s Nebraska Pet Therapy program – engaging and taking pictures of the dogs with patients and families. And in 2008, she was asked to participate in Children’s NICU Baby Rocking Program. She continued her baby rocking until 2017 – when she had grandbabies of her own to rock. In addition, from 2009-2016 Terri volunteered with the Mercy Housing after school program.

Ardent supporters of United Way, Tim & Terri generously stepped up and served as Campaign Chairs for UWM on two separate occasions, in 2018 and in 2023 – and Tim was a member of the UWM Board from July 2016 to June 2022, serving as Board Chair from July 2021 to June 2022. And Terri is involved in the Tocqueville Women’s Initiative Advisory Steering Committee and Women United. The Burkes have three sons who are married, as well as seven grandchildren.

Tickets & Sponsorship Info

SPONSORSHIPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

Download the sponsorship form here or purchase directly at this link.

For more information, please contact Mike Joyce at 402-731-6988 or mjoyce@kidscan.org

Can Do Future Award - Carmen Tapio

Carmen Tapio

Wells Fargo is proud to present the 2026 Can Do Future Award to Carmen Tapio. Transformative leader and builder of all things business, people, and community, Carmen is the Founder and CEO of North End Teleservices—the largest African American-owned business in the state. Under her leadership North End Teleservices has injected over $600 million dollars into Nebraska’s economy; is a five-time honoree of the Inc. 5000’s List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the United States, a 2025 Real Leaders Top Impact Company, and is one of the 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Top 100 Small Businesses in America.

Her unwavering devotion to the community led Mayor John Ewing to declare Thursday, February 5, 2026, as Carmen Tapio Day and to honor her with a Key to the City of Omaha. Carmen is a thought-leader and trusted mentor whose visionary leadership challenges every boundary. “I believe in the human spirit and that anything is possible,” says Tapio. She is a leader with many firsts giving others an opportunity and platform to achieve their own.

Can Do Mentor Award - Tasha Bonner

Tasha Bonner

Union Pacific is proud to present the 2026 Can Do Mentor Award to Tasha Bonner. A compassionate community builder and dedicated patient advocate, Tasha is a Senior Associate Patient Coordinator at Nebraska Medicine, where she guides new patients through the start of their care with kindness, clarity, and steady support. Her commitment to making a difference has made her a trusted presence for patients and families.

Tasha’s devotion extends into the community through her mentoring with Kids Can. Motivated by the one-on-one guidance she wished for growing up, she brings patience, flexibility, and genuine warmth to her mentee relationships. Mentoring staff describe her as dependable and heartfelt. She is someone who wears her heart on her sleeve and lifts others even amid her own challenges. Her friendship with mentee Celi is built on laughter and simple shared moments, from conversations and games to baking and monthly Starbucks treats. The most rewarding outcome, Tasha says, is watching Celi grow in confidence.

Can Do Educator - Jennifer Lemke

Dr. Jennifer Lemke

The Lozier Foundation is proud to present the Can Do Educator Award to Dr. Jennifer Lemke. Jennifer is an Assistant Professor of Literacy and the Lozier Distinguished Chair of Literacy in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, literacy interventionist, new teacher mentor, and university instructor.

Dr. Lemke earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2020 and currently serves as the Director of the Nebraska Early Literacy Workshop. She is passionate about preparing educators to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners and works closely with school districts and teachers across the state to strengthen literacy instruction and achievement. Her work supports teachers in creating inclusive, effective learning environments where all students can thrive.

Can Do Volunteer - Susan Colvin

Susan Colvin

Mutual of Omaha is proud to present the Can Do Volunteer Award to Susan Colvin. Susan has a four-decade career in education, leadership, and civic service. She began as a math teacher at North High School, then served as Curriculum Specialist and Assistant Athletic Director. She was then Assistant Principal at Bryan High School and Principal at Bryan Middle School and Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School. In district operations she was Coordinator of Special Initiatives and Director of Supply Chain before retiring from Omaha Public Schools in 2017.

At Bellevue Public Schools she is Project Director for DoDEA grant initiatives including Project STEM, IMPACT-WL, and Taking Flight. Her civic roles include Westside State Bank Board, AFGSC Civic Leader Program, Bellevue Community Foundation Board, Offutt Advisory Council Executive Board, Chair of Wild Blue Yonder, Chair of Operation Giving Thanks, Co-Commander of the 95th Wing and former Co-Commander of STOS. Susan's awards include the 55th Wing Commander Wingman Award, Nebraska Assistant Principal of the Year, Region 2, Irene High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award.

Can Do More Here - Jake Shaddy

Jake Shaddy

American National Bank proudly presents the 2026 Can Do More Here Award to Jake Shaddy. Jake is the founder of Different Approach Sober Living in Omaha, where he provides structured transitional and sober living housing focused on accountability and long-term success. Drawing on lived experience, including time incarcerated, he created a program that addresses practical barriers to reentry—offering individualized case planning, employment support, transportation, assistance obtaining vital documents, peer mentorship, and life-skills training. His work connects clients to mental health and substance-use treatment and emphasizes partnerships with treatment centers, shelters, and community providers.

As a service provider in Nebraska, Jake serves on the Reentry Continuity Advisory Board and its Transitional Living Subcommittee, helping shape reentry and housing standards in Omaha. His professional background includes work as a family support worker, community youth coach, and staff at a day reporting center supporting justice-involved youth—roles that inform his person-centered approach. Grounded in lived experience and driven by a belief that structure plus support enables change, Jake’s efforts expand opportunities for individuals to rebuild their lives and reenter the community with dignity and purpose.

Can Do Sponsors

American National Bank
Lozier Foundation
Mutual of Omaha
Union Pacific
Wells Fargo

Special thanks to these event supporters:

Annette & Paul Smith
Beardmore
Henry Davis & Christina Fazzone
QuikTrip
Rainwood Development Partners
Susan & Mike Lebens
Thiele Geotech
UNICO

Can Do Event