Announcing the Parent Ambassador Class of 2026

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Karissa Blecha is a 36-year-old mom of three children, ages 4, 6, and 9. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for 14 years. Before becoming a mom, Karissa taught elementary school, but when her children were born, she chose to stay home to focus on them. Since 2020, she has worked part-time as the director of children’s ministries at her church, combining her passion for education and community.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Karissa learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through Ilissa Talkington, Parent Ambassador Program Director. She hopes to advocate in a more meaningful way in her community and is considering running for the school board someday. She sees opportunities to improve her community, noting that it could benefit from an indoor play space for kids, though she recognizes there are other pressing needs. During her ambassadorship, Karissa is focused on growth and connection, saying, “I just want to learn and network!” She draws inspiration from “anyone who is doing the work to be better than the last generation to make a better life for the next generation!” Her excitement for the program is clear: she shares that she is “excited to be here.”

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Outside of family and work, Karissa enjoys thrifting, playing games, golfing, going for long walks, and spending time with friends and family. She also enjoys Chex Mix or kettle chips, scotcharoos or dark chocolate, Diet Coke or iced coffee, and the scents of lavender or citrus. Her favorite plant is peonies, her favorite color is pink, and while she roots for the Huskers, she isn’t a big sports fan. One thing she doesn’t enjoy that most people do is black olives.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Becky Boring has been married for a year to her husband, Coby, and is a mom to four children: a 16-year-old stepson and children aged 15, 13, and 10. She has been a teacher for 20 years and is in her fifth year teaching in the Student/Parent Program within Lincoln Public Schools. Becky spends much of her free time supporting her children’s activities or watching them in action.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Becky learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through a Facebook post from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative and saw it as a valuable opportunity to grow as an advocate. “I wanted to learn how to be a better advocate for the littlest learners and help teen parents be better advocates for their own children,” she shares. She believes the greatest need in her community is ensuring that all children have access to high-quality early childhood education.

During her ambassadorship, Becky hopes “to learn how to speak up and make a difference” and to spark conversations about the importance of early childhood and the challenges young families face. She draws inspiration from “my student parents that I work with”—young parents pursuing their high school diplomas despite difficulties—and from her own children and their resilience.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Outside of work and family, Becky enjoys reading, traveling and geocaching with her husband, and doing puzzles in the winter. Her favorite snacks include pretzels, popcorn, Skittles, Nerd Clusters, and 3 Musketeers, paired with Diet Coke or flavored water. She enjoys Gerber daisies, the color pink, and cheering on Husker football and volleyball. Her favorite quote is, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love is put in the giving,” by Mother Teresa.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Kamber Carlson is honored to be part of the Parent Ambassador Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Creighton University. Kamber and her husband, Cody, have been married for six years and are proud parents to their three-year-old son, Kix. They live in the village of Ithaca, Nebraska, where they enjoy rural life on a small acreage with their four horses and several steers.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Kamber discovered the Parent Ambassador Program through a Facebook post and was immediately drawn to its focus on education, networking, and involvement in the legislative process. She saw it as a meaningful opportunity to grow as an advocate. Kamber identifies pressing needs in her community, including access to high-quality early childhood education, poverty reduction, and food security. She also highlights local concerns, particularly protecting children from health and environmental risks associated with the AltEn ethanol plant.

During her ambassadorship, Kamber hopes to expand her advocacy network, deepen her understanding of legislative processes, and make a meaningful impact in her community. She aims to support initiatives that help in-home child care providers access resources such as training and grant opportunities, strengthening the quality and sustainability of early childhood care.

Kamber draws inspiration from her mother, who raised Kamber and her sister on her own while launching a business, managing a home, and handling countless responsibilities. “Her strength, resilience, and unwavering love continue to inspire me, and for that I am endlessly grateful,” Kamber shares.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

When she’s not chasing her son, Kamber enjoys weightlifting, spending time outdoors, and getting together with friends and family. Her favorite snacks include Cheddar Chex Mix and Peanut M&Ms. She loves the scents of orange, vanilla, and anything fresh or clean, and her favorite flowers are lilies. Kamber’s favorite colors are pink and teal, and her favorite quote is, “Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts,” by Winston Churchill.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Heather is a single mom to girls ranging in age from 7 to 22. She runs an in-home child care and has a love for her chickens, which she proudly considers her pets. Her life revolves around her children, her work, and caring for her animals.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Heather learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through a friend and joined to become more involved in her community. She sees food insecurity as one of the greatest challenges facing her community and hopes to make a meaningful contribution. Her children and strong women in her life serve as her biggest inspiration.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Outside of her family and child care, Heather enjoys reading, supporting her daughters in softball, and spending time with her animals. She loves the scents of apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice, and her favorite flowers are succulents. Heather enjoys Diet Pepsi, pretzels, and Hi-Chew, and her favorite color is orange. She is also a fan of the Indiana Fever.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Sydni Closson is married and a mom to three boys. She works as an insurance agent and also owns a small business, balancing her professional life with raising her family.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Sydni learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through her local ESU, which sent an invitation to Policy Council members. She joined because she enjoys learning, connecting with others, and hearing people’s stories and perspectives. Sydni sees a strong need in her community for better connections between schools and daycares, aiming to provide younger children with the support they need before preschool. During her ambassadorship, she hopes to grow her knowledge and make meaningful contributions. Sydni draws inspiration from her mother, who has thrived in a male-dominated industry and continues to excel as a business owner while supporting her family.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Outside of work, Sydni enjoys camping with her boys, reading, and taking a good nap. She loves chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, Diet Cherry Coke, the scent of fresh laundry, and peach roses. Her favorite color is turquoise, and her favorite sports teams are the Denver Broncos and Colorado Buffaloes. Sydni’s favorite Bible verse is her confirmation verse: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalms 34:17-18).

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Sam Dov is 26 years old and a father to two children: a 15-month-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. He works as a barber and is also a dedicated community activist. Sam runs the Asian Barber Association, which advocates for inner-city youth, provides barber mentoring, and supports gang intervention programs. He also runs a program offering free haircuts to children with autism, reflecting his passion for helping those who need support most.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Sam learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through a friend who recognized the work he was already doing in the community. He joined to learn how to serve his community more effectively and gain as much knowledge as possible. Sam identifies education on finances, access to resources, and mentorship for at-risk youth as critical needs in his community. He draws inspiration not from a person, but from the idea of mutual kindness and understanding.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Outside of his work and community involvement, Sam enjoys art, fishing, and watching movies. His favorite snacks are jerky and trail mix, and he enjoys Fresca as his drink of choice. He treasures the scent of Versace Eros, the first adult cologne he was gifted. Sam loves corn, his favorite color is OD green, and he roots for the Cleveland Browns. His favorite quote reflects his values: “The way you obtain things matters. How you get something reflects the way it leaves you. Get it fast, it’ll be gone just as fast. Work for it and be patient and it’ll stay with you for a lifetime.”

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Janina “Nina” Fidler-Bundren is a mom of two children: Jude, 4½, and Cecilia, 2. She works as the Lead Radiology Tech at OrthoNebraska. Nina loves traveling and spending quality time with family and friends, cherishing every moment with her loved ones.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Nina learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through a Facebook post by her friend Ilissa. Motivated by a deep care for the safety and well-being of children, she joined the program to turn her beliefs into action. She is passionate about addressing mental health, gun reform, access to healthy foods, and creating safe environments in schools. During her ambassadorship, Nina hopes to learn ways to better advocate for those in need and promote meaningful changes in her community. She draws inspiration from her parents, who were educators and instilled in her a love of learning, as well as from her children and other young people she knows.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Nina enjoys reading, traveling, walking, and working out—recently making self-care and fitness a consistent habit. She also enjoys massages and pedicures. Nina prefers salty snacks like popcorn and is a devoted coffee drinker. She loves the scents of her children, eucalyptus, and almond extract (which reminds her of her father baking). Her favorite plants are willow trees and hydrangeas, and her favorite color is deep purple. She enjoys sports such as Husker volleyball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and St. Louis Blues hockey.

Nina’s favorite quotes reflect her values:

• “Throw kindness like confetti.”
• “Gravity will make you fall down and it will also keep you on the Earth. It’s how we react to the tragedies of our life that give them meaning.”
• “Always stand up for yourself. I have never met a person who regretted standing up for what they knew was right or how they knew they deserved to be treated.”

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Amber Harper is a mom of five and works remotely for a statewide nonprofit. She and her husband, a chef, are building a food service business together. Much of Amber’s time is devoted to advocating for safer communities. A survivor of violence, she has spent over a decade healing and reflecting on how societal systems perpetuate cycles of violence and poverty. When she’s not working or advocating, Amber loves caring for her plants, traveling, singing and dancing with her kids, and connecting with others through meaningful conversations.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Amber discovered the Parent Ambassador Program while following NCFF, an organization whose programs she admires for their positive community impact. She was drawn to the program as a way to strengthen her advocacy skills and gain experience to support her future goal of serving in the state legislature. Amber hopes to contribute actively to her community by learning, connecting, and taking action. She is particularly motivated by the strength and bravery of others, the resilience of her children, and the support of her husband.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Amber enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, caring for her plants, and stargazing on quiet evenings. She enjoys watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and savoring snacks like Dots, pretzels, and Mike and Ike’s, with cold brew or BodyArmor. She is inspired by tropical scents like coconut and vanilla, loves propagating flowers, and her favorite color is green.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Sarah Hubel is a family and consumer sciences teacher who teaches an early childhood careers course. She grew up in northeast Nebraska and now lives in southeast Nebraska. Sarah is married and a new mom, balancing her professional work with her growing family. She enjoys traveling, coffee, and recently discovered a love for crocheting.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Sarah joined the Parent Ambassador Program after seeing a Facebook ad and receiving encouragement from her twin sister, Hannah Mayo, who is also a Parent Ambassador. She hopes to gain the knowledge and skills to discuss the economic and educational impact of high-quality child care. Sarah is passionate about advocating for accessible, affordable child care in her community, especially for infants in small towns where the cost of care is high compared with a teacher’s salary.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

In her free time, Sarah enjoys going on walks, golfing (or riding in the cart!), watching Golden Girls, and traveling. She has a sweet spot for chocolates and enjoys coffee or mango BodyArmor Light. Her favorite scents are lavender and autumn aromas, and her favorite color is blue. She follows Husker sports, although she doesn’t enjoy football.

Bio coming soon!

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Sylvia Lupo is an outdoorsy mom of four young children. She works as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher at Broken Bow Public Schools while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education as a senior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Sylvia is also a freelance writer, a Girl Scout leader, and a volunteer on an Inclusive Playground fundraising committee in her community.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Sylvia first learned about the Parent Ambassador Program while scrolling through Facebook. Passionate about early childhood education, she hopes to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children, families, and teachers. She sees a pressing need in her community, especially since the local Head Start program closed, leaving many children without access to quality early learning. Through her ambassadorship, Sylvia aims to help her community recognize the importance of early childhood and quality programs and hopes to advocate for early childhood initiatives at the local or state level.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

In her free time, Sylvia enjoys being outdoors with a chai latte in hand, camping, crafting, and watching The Office. Her favorite snacks include trail mix, peach rings, and baked chips, paired with sweet tea or chai lattes. She finds joy in calming scents like lavender and white tea, and her favorite plant is the zinnia. Sage green is her favorite color, reflecting her love of nature.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Bobbi Mason lives in Hastings, Nebraska, and is a provisionally licensed mental health practitioner. She owns Child Focused Counseling, where she works with children and families using play-based and attachment-focused therapy. Bobbi is passionate about helping children feel seen, heard, and empowered, especially those who have faced difficult starts in life. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and finding creative ways to make her ideas functional.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Bobbi discovered the Parent Ambassador Program through a Facebook ad and joined to learn more ways to support families meaningfully. She sees a critical need in her community to make the child welfare and foster care system truly child-centered, ensuring decisions focus on the best interests of children. During her ambassadorship, Bobbi hopes to strengthen community connections, build her advocacy skills, and make a lasting impact for children and families.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

In her free time, Bobbi enjoys driving ATVs through the mountains, feeling the wind and mud fly—a freeing way to reconnect with herself. Her favorite drink is Diet Dr. Pepper, and she enjoys strawberry scents and lilies for their simple beauty. Teal is her favorite color, and she cheers for the Eagles. Bobbi is energized by seeing children thrive, reminding them that her role is to support, protect, and amplify their voices.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Hannah Mayo is a mother of three spunky little girls. She and her husband are both educators and enjoy spending time together as a family—visiting the library, exploring the park, doing crafts, and trying new recipes. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys crocheting and reading.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Hannah first learned about the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative while looking for resources as both a parent and educator. She joined the Parent Ambassador Program to begin advocating for quality rural child care and inclusive care for children with disabilities. Through her ambassadorship, Hannah hopes to learn who, how, and where to advocate for the issues that matter most to families like hers. She draws inspiration from other mothers who have courageously fought for what’s right.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Hannah’s favorite way to unwind is with a good book or documentary and a Diet Pepsi in hand. She loves the smell of rain, the color pink, and cheering on Husker Volleyball. Her favorite quote is: “Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Tammy Kresser runs an in-home child care program and serves as an Early Childhood adjunct professor at Central Community College. She lives in Kearney with her husband, Rich, their three dogs, and foster children. Her work reflects her commitment to supporting young learners and strengthening families in her community.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Tammy discovered the Parent Ambassador Program through a Facebook post and joined to make a meaningful difference in her community. She aims to bring awareness to what quality child care truly means and why it matters. Tammy draws inspiration from her aunt, who has consistently encouraged her, believed in her potential, and supported her throughout her life.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Tammy enjoys watching movies, reading, cheering on Husker football and the Tri-City hockey team. She loves the scent of cinnamon, stargazer lilies, and the colors pink, purple, and turquoise. Her favorite treats include white chocolate, Gardetto’s, and A&W Root Beer. She is not a fan of Oreos. Her favorite quote, by Jane Goodall, is: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Jasmine Renchie is a proud Omaha native and a graduate of Omaha North High School and the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is a mother of three sons and one bonus daughter and works as a Full Spectrum Doula. She is deeply involved in her community and finds purpose in serving others and making a positive impact.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Jasmine learned about the Parent Ambassador Program through Facebook and joined to become better informed and develop advocacy skills for issues that matter most to her family and community. She hopes to strengthen her understanding of local policies affecting children and families to advocate for positive change. Jasmine draws inspiration from her family, who keep her grounded and motivated daily.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Jasmine enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and appreciating nature. Her favorite snacks are Doritos, and she loves coffee. She finds calm in the scent of lavender and values her favorite quote, “Que Sera Sera,” as a reminder to embrace life’s journey with grace and optimism.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Taylor Ruzicka-Scheele is the owner and director of Sweet Peas Academy Daycare in Diller, Nebraska. Before entering the child care field, she spent eight years as an elementary teacher and cheer/track coach. Taylor and her husband recently welcomed their first child, Kreighton, and live on a farm with three dogs, two horses, a donkey, a rabbit, and a cow herd. Her husband works in livestock feed sales and farming, making their family life rooted in both agriculture and education.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Taylor learned about the Parent Ambassador Program at a conference during her transition from teaching to child care and discovered a friend had participated previously. She joined to advocate for rural child care providers and bring awareness to the unique challenges small centers face. She hopes to bridge gaps by helping policymakers better understand rural communities’ needs. Taylor draws inspiration from children, whose positivity and fresh perspective remind her why her work matters.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Taylor enjoys organizing spaces, hand-lettering for special events, roller skating, and airboating. Her favorite snacks are popcorn and chocolate chip cookies, and she loves sipping on a Scooters blended matcha. She’s drawn to floral and tropical scents, adores peonies, and her favorite color is pink. Taylor cheers for the Huskers, and her favorite quote is: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Halie Thaden joined the Parent Ambassador Program with a passion for making a difference in her community and advocating for her children. She is eager to build confidence in speaking up for the needs and well-being of families and children in her area.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Halie was introduced to the Parent Ambassador Program through a friend and joined with the goal of becoming a stronger advocate for her children. During her ambassadorship, she hopes to better understand how politics and advocacy intersect so she can effectively champion the needs of young learners and families. Her greatest source of inspiration comes from her children, who motivate her to create positive change.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Halie enjoys listening to books and playing golf. She loves fruity scents, succulents, and the colors orange and purple. Her favorite snacks are Hot Cheetos and puppy chow, paired with iced coffee.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your family

Melissa Ury is a mother of two and actively involved in her children’s education. She serves as an assistant director for a child care center and is a member of the PTA at her children’s school. She is based in Omaha and is passionate about supporting families and children in her community.

What drives you? Your passions, goals, and inspirations

Melissa joined the Parent Ambassador Program to strengthen her advocacy skills in early childhood education and family well-being. She is motivated by the belief that every child deserves access to quality care and opportunities to thrive. Her greatest inspiration comes from her children and the families she meets who work hard to create brighter futures.

What do you love? Hobbies, favorites, and fun things that make you smile

Melissa enjoys reading, listening to local music, spending time outdoors, and connecting with her community. She loves pumpkin scents, sunflowers, and the color blue. Her favorite snacks include almond Hershey bars and Cheetos, and her drink of choice is iced tea. She cheers for the Huskers and, unlike most, does not enjoy seafood.

Bio coming soon!