Who We Are

Sarah Ann Kotchian

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Ann Kotchian serves as Chief Executive Officer managing growth and ensuring sustainable operational excellence. Sarah Ann brings to this role deep experience in nonprofit strategy, corporate development, and early childhood care and education. Sarah Ann has worked extensively for nonprofits for more than twenty years to drive program, practice, and policy improvements for women, children, and families. She has served in multiple appointments on local and state commissions, task forces, and boards of directors. She has been recognized as a State Children’s Champion by the Nebraska Head Start Association and was named 2018 Public Citizen of the Year by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. She is a graduate of Creighton University and the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Lameakia Collier

Chief Operating Officer

Lameakia Collier brings more than 20 years of experience in her role as Chief Operating Officer where she ensures sustainable operational excellence, provides internal leadership, and maximizes organizational impact as a strategic advisor and functional expert.

Prior to joining NECC, Lameakia spent 18 years with Lincoln Public Schools, most notably serving as the Lead Services Coordinator in the Department of Early Childhood. She’s previously worked in Human Resources for the State of Nebraska, as a child care assistant director, and most recently, as the Workforce Development Program Administrator for Lincoln Littles, where she led initiatives for designing and delivering workforce programs with a well-being focus to attract, recruit, and retain early childhood professionals.

Lameakia has been the recipient of the Doane University Senior Alumni Award and the Lincoln Public Schools Youth Development Team Service Award. She is currently completing her Master of Arts in Leadership degree through Doane University. Lameakia is inspired by the creativity, curiosity, and joy of learning in young children as well as the partnership between families and early childhood educators who together play a meaningful role in shaping the future generation.

Jennifer Adhima

Chief Program Officer

As Chief Program Officer, Jennifer leads the strategy and development of learning and programming activities, evaluates their effectiveness, and builds partnerships with community-based organizations to strengthen early childhood outcomes across Nebraska. Jennifer obtained her master’s in social work from the University of Kansas and spent 16 years with the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Project Eagle, a multi-program project that focuses on the education, health, and well-being of pregnant women and young children. Jennifer brings years of experience working with Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Kansas. Prior to joining NECC, she served as the Executive Director of the Kansas Head Start Association where she led efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of the critical role of Kansas Head Start Programs.  

Jennifer is inspired by the families, caregivers, child care providers, and educators who work tirelessly to nurture children in their earliest years of life so that they may have a bright future. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places with her family, watching her daughter play tennis, and laughing with friends as often as possible.

Dwight Lang

Vice President of Finance & Administration/CFO

Dwight Lang oversees financial and administrative services for NECC as well as for our member centers, and as Vice President of Finance & Administration/CFO, brings more than 35 years of experience in financial oversight for nonprofit organizations. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. The majority of his work in the field has been with nonprofits in federal funding and grant funding. When he’s not crunching numbers, Dwight enjoys golfing and riding his Harley Davidson.

Brandee Lengel

Vice President of Quality Child Care Partnerships

As the VP of Quality Child Care Partnerships at NECC, Brandee Lengel provides visionary leadership and inspired direction by managing and developing programs that enable both family and center-based child care providers to become successful, independent, and dynamic small business owners. Brandee has worked in early childhood education for over 30 years in many roles including an assistant in a family child care home, a child care center teacher, an early childhood education specialist, and in nonprofit administration. Brandee earned a master’s degree in Management with an emphasis in Leadership, a bachelor’s degree in Human and Social Service Administration, and an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Brandee is the recipient of the Nebraska Family Child Care Association Advocate of the Year Award, Sally Wysong Excellence in Early Childhood Award, and Southeast Community College ECE Honored Graduate Award.

Mary Lariviere 

Director of Early Head Start 

Mary Lariviere provides vision and leadership for the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership program in her role as Director of Early Head Start. Previously the Director of Health and Family Services for six years, Mary brings a commitment to early childhood best practices and innovations while ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local grant requirements, rules, regulations, and program standards. She has a Master’s in Science and Human Services Management and has been with NECC since 2016.  

Mary is inspired by the strong, empowered families she serves. Outside of her role, Mary enjoys road trips, hiking, gardening, reading, and Sunday family dinners.