Aksarben announces new Executive Director for its Nebraska Tech Collaborative

The Aksarben Foundation, a network of business and community leaders focused on the most critical issues facing the heartland, announces Shonna Dorsey as the new Executive Director of its Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC).

“Dorsey will lead the collective efforts to advance talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Nebraska,” says Executive Committee Chair of the NTC, Mike Lechtenberger. “Shonna has a track record of success in tech workforce development, including her leadership of internship and career-change programs at NTC.”

NTC is excited to continue partnering with Nebraska's business stakeholders and talent builders to grow tech talent for the current and long-term economic prosperity of the state. “We are fortunate to live in a great state and we are fortunate to have Shonna leading this important workforce initiative,” says Mike Lechtenberger.
Dorsey has been a part of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative since it’s start and brings with her vast leadership and relationship cultivation experience within the tech space.
A seasoned community leader with extensive volunteer and not-for-profit board experience, Dorsey has worked with several community organizations and has devoted significant personal efforts towards helping youth access opportunities to explore technology-related careers.
“Technology is always evolving, and so too is the challenge facing Nebraska in terms of tech-workers,” says Sandra Reding, “Each of us works in either a tech or a tech-enabled organization which makes the need for a tech-savvy workforce all the more pressing and the actions we take today will determine the trajectory of the state for the next twenty years to come.”

The Nebraska Tech Collaborative, a statewide workforce initiative, was launched by the Aksarben Foundation in 2019 as a response to business leaders call to action for more tech-talent. With over 50,000 available jobs in the state, and nearly all jobs being tech specific or tech enabled, the need for talent continues to grow.

Considering all possible solutions, including talent attraction, job up-skilling, and statewide DEI goals, the NTC developed four goals around which to direct all focus and strategy by the year 2025:
1) Increase the number of tech workers by 10,000
2) Help increase the number of tech start-up companies by 300
3) Diversify the talent pool with 40% female and 20% underrepresented groups, and
4) Increase Nebraska’s tech profile nationally and ecosystem throughout the state

“Shonna will be a tremendous addition to the NTC/Aksarben team,” says Mike Cassling, Aksarben Governor and Founding Chair of the NTC, “With her drive, determination, and proven track record of success in tech leadership, the NTC will be something to watch in 2023.”

If you or your organization are interested in learning more about the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, or for more information on how to become a partner organization, please visit www.nebtechcollab.com. For more information about the Aksarben Foundation, visit www.aksarben.org.