NECC’s Board of Directors provides unwavering support and guidance to elevate our mission and vision. Get to know more about them below!
Tiffany Awortwi
Hotline Supervisor, Boys Town
With a professional foundation in education, Tiffany brings over 10 years of experience to our Board, including four years specializing in early childhood education and five years serving as the Chair of the NECC Policy Council for Early Head Start. She is also a proud graduate of NECC’s Parent Ambassador program. Her work in these roles fuels her passion as an advocate for early childhood education, positively impacting her children, other families, and the broader community.
What inspired you to become a board member for NECC?
What inspired me to become a board member for NECC was my deep passion for early childhood education and advocacy. As a parent who’s been directly impacted by the programs NECC supports, I first got involved through the Policy Council for Early Head Start, where I served for five years, including as Chair. That experience opened my eyes to the power of having parent voices at the table especially when it comes to decisions that shape the future of our children and families. I was deeply moved by the organization’s commitment to equity, family engagement, and quality care for all children—especially those who are most vulnerable. Being on the board felt like a natural next step. It gave me an opportunity to use my leadership and lived experience to help shape policy, support other families, and make sure that community voices are not just heard, but valued. Ultimately, it’s about making a difference. I want to be part of creating systems that uplift children and families, not just for today, but for generations to come.
What do you do for fun?
For fun, I love spending quality time with my family—it’s my grounding space. Whether we’re having a game night, exploring local events, or just enjoying a quiet movie evening at home, that connection means everything to me. I also enjoy getting creative with DIY projects—it’s a fun way for me to relax, tap into my creativity, and make something meaningful.
Name your favorite children’s book
One of my favorite children’s books is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. It’s such a fun, rhythmic book that captures kids’ attention and encourages early learning through repetition and vibrant illustrations. I love how engaging and interactive it is—it’s one of those stories that brings joy every time, whether you’re reading it for the first or the hundredth time.
Christian Espinosa Torres, Board Chair
Asst. Director, City of Omaha
Christian I. Espinosa Torres has been part of the Omaha community for over 16 years, leading efforts across civic engagement, research, and economic development with a deep commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Currently serving as Assistant Director of the City of Omaha’s Human Rights and Relations Department, his career includes impactful roles such as Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Ashford, where he supported small businesses and helped constituents navigate federal agencies, and Civic Engagement Coordinator at the Heartland Workers Center. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Christian is passionate about community advancement and policy development, with a proven record of program management and public service.
What inspired you to become a board member for NECC?
Growing up in Mexico, my mom found a path to economic mobility through a visionary program for government employees that offered free childcare. With the peace of mind that her children were safe and cared for, she was able to focus on her work, pursue her ambitions, and advance professionally, ultimately building a brighter future for herself and her family. I believe everyone deserves the same opportunity I was fortunate to have.
What do you do for fun?
I like to spend time with my kids, bike, and watch soccer.
Name your favorite children’s book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Colten Venteicher
Attorney, Bacon, Vinton, and Venteicher, LLC
Colten, a licensed title insurance agent in Nebraska, graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University School of Law in 2016. He earned awards for his excellence in taxation, business planning, and legal research. Colten also holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. He is actively involved in community economic development efforts. A native of Omaha, Colten currently resides in Gothenburg, NE, with his wife and four children.
What inspired you to become a board member for NECC?
I met the board president at a conference following a speech I gave about early childhood efforts in rural communities. He put me in touch with Sarah Ann [Kotchian, CEO], who brings a tremendous amount of energy to the work NECC is doing. I saw serving on the NECC board as an opportunity to be an advocate for early childhood efforts in rural Nebraska on a broader scale, and to help the organization expand its reach in a more impactful way.
What do you do for fun?
I spend most of my time outside of work chasing my four kids around. I enjoy coaching their sports teams and attending their dance and gymnastics activities, or simply hanging out with them and reading or playing games. Right now, I am teaching my 9 and 6 year old how to play chess. If it’s just me, I keep up with motorsports as an avid fan of NASCAR.
Name your favorite children’s book
My favorite children’s book is the Harry Potter series. Last year, my daughter and I read the entire series. We have a rule in our house that the kids can’t watch the movies until they’ve read the books, and it’s been a great bonding experience.
