Sriyani Tidball, editor and publisher, balances the production of Lincoln Today with various other projects for Tidball Productions. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate holds a degree in architecture and a master’s degree in journalism. She completed 10 years on the UNL faculty teaching advertising, PR and human rights. Now she works part-time in the UNL human rights program. This energetic mother of four and grandmother of five splits her time between the U.S. and her native Sri Lanka, where she and her family have devoted themselves to projects that assist the poor and combat human trafficking worldwide. She recently published her book The Breadwinner, stories of slavery of Sri Lankan housemaids. While working as a researcher on social justice and human rights issues, she thoroughly enjoys her work with the Lincoln Today magazine.
Art director and assistant editor Rayna Collins has been a part of the Lincoln Today team since the first issue 33 years ago. After eight years in corporate graphic design in New York City, she runs her own diverse graphic design business in Lincoln, serving both local and international clients. She devotes herself to her children, cats, dogs and the pursuit of art and happiness. You can see her work at raynacollinsdesign.com, at etsy.com/shop/lonelycards, the LUX Center for the Arts, and the Metro Gallery.
Tom Tidball, Lincoln Today’s chief photographer, has shot wonderful photographs for numerous international, national and local publications, including five coffee table books of his own photo studies, including his tribute to Nebraska football fans with his book, A Day in the Life: The Fans of Memorial Stadium. Tom’s Pow Wow Plains photography exhibition was the main exhibit at the Great Plains Gallery from August to December 2002 and has toured the state for many years. He displayed over 160 art prints and Native narrative in the exhibit, which brought rave reviews and shared Nebraska’s Native heritage with thousands. His coffee table book, People Sri Lanka, published in 2009, showcases his compelling images of a cross-cultural nation. Tom also applies his exciting photographic perspective to video production, teaching and online work with his regular blog at tomtidball.blogspot.com and his social media sites.
Editorial Assistant and writer, Michelle O’Dea, is a former Lincolnite that still loves the Capitol city. She is skilled in marketing, nonprofit management, event planning, and public speaking. Michelle has been on the Lincoln Today team for over 20 years, working in editorial and management functions. She also manages Bee Seen Advertising (www.beeseenadv.com), a small marketing company specializing in promotions for small businesses.
Rachel Barth is Director of Communications and Customer engagement at the Lincoln Airport. A native of Bennet, Nebraska, she earned a BA in advertising and an MA in marketing and communications from UNL. The high energy mother of two boys is well known in the community for her love of Lincoln.
Patty Beutler worked for many years at the Lincoln Journal Star as a reporter and a features editor. She now freelances and takes pleasure in planting a clover lawn, playing mahjongg and sightseeing on Nebraska backroads.
Caroline Clements, is the Public Relations and Membership Coordinator for the University of Nebraska State Museum. Well versed in resource management and public speaking, she has worked in public relations, non-profits and membership organizations.
Amy Dickerson, Managing Director at the Sandhills Global Event Center, was raised on an acreage outside of York. She has a BS from UNL in management and marketing and an MBA from UC. As an event manager, she accommodates groups from 12 to 36,000 and makes a difference in her community operating under Midwestern values of hard work, integrity, and teamwork.
Lauren Silverman Durban is the Communications Manager at the Lied Center for Performing Arts—and a theater-obsessed former TV news anchor raising three tiny people and writing to stay sane.
Kate A. Engel is the Interim Executive Director at the Nebraska Innovation Campus. A skilled storyteller, public speaker, event planner, community builder, and collaborator is a communications professional with strong customer service skills.
Mary Friesen is a long time Lincoln resident and graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism. She devotes her time to multiple projects but enjoys spending most of her time with her three amazing children and handsome husband.
Ken Hambleton retired after 44 years at the Lincoln Journal Star where he worked as a golf writer, Husker beat writer, columnist, and a prep writer. He currently drives the train at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, helps with the cheetah cubs, does freelance writing, and loves playing golf.
Brandy Johnson has been serving as the Regional Community Affairs Manager at Black Hills Energy in Lincoln for a decade. She is a strategic communicator, a dedicated energy advocate, and a reputation manager, overseeing advertising and media relations for the company in the Lincoln area. She has crafted robust community relations programs and serves as a community liaison, contributing to the bettering the lives of the people in Lincoln.
Jeff Korbelik became the winery manager at James Arthur Vineyards in 2018 after enjoying a 33-year career as a newspaper editor and reporter, including 22 years at the Lincoln Journal Star. He’s also the author of Lost Restaurants in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Erin Lenz is the Director of Communications at Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Prior to her work at the Zoo, she was the Public Information Officer for the Nebraska Tourism Commission.
Jason Lubken is the Marketing and Creative Manager at Museum of American Speed. His expertise includes photography, videography, graphic design, and handling commercial and editorial projects. He has helped develop and launch Speedway Motors’ online tech article library containing 80+ written articles.
Aja Martin, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Law School graduate and the former manager of Indigo Bridge Book Store, now works for the Nebraska Bar Foundation. Eventually she hopes to pursue a career in immigration law.
Molly Nance works for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. She is also a communications consultant and life coach who is currently planning her daughter’s wedding. In 2018 Molly was the first woman marathon swimmer to complete the 21.2 mile-swim across the St. Lucia Channel.
Julie Nichols is a freelance writer, adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s College of Journalism, editor and social activist who lives Geneva, Nebraska.
Cynthia Peterson recently retired from her day job as an IT project manager and is trying to figure out what comes next. She is a freelance writer and hopes to write more in the future. Passionate about politics and women’s issues, she advocates and raises funds for a local women’s shelter. Genealogical research into her ancestry has yielded some surprises, leaving her eager to find out more. She loves jazz, margaritas, good conversation, her friends and art.
Kelly Stanke is the Marketing and Communications Manager at the Lincoln Children’s Museum. She is a graduate of the UNL’s College of Journalism, where she specialized in advertising and public relations.
Jesse Starita is the Public Information Specialist, Speech and Copy Writer for the City of Lincoln. Previously he worked for UNL’s Nebraska Water Center reporting on research, helping scientists in their work and training future leaders in water management. However, his most important title is dad to his five-year old daughter Serena.
Meghan Stratman is the graphic designer and communications specialist at the Ross Media Arts Center. A Lincoln resident and graduate of UNL, Meghan has a BFA in studio art, with an emphasis in graphic design, and a minor in film studies.
Amy Svoboda is a Lincoln native, experienced copywriter and community advocate. She has successfully worked with local non-profits and businesses to produce effective and meaningful relationships with their audiences.
Tyler A. Thomas is a social media and integrated digital content strategist, author, keynote, entrepreneur, and consultant. Adjunct professor at Harvard University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Tyler and his wife Mandy cofounded nebraskafoodie.com. He is the author of Nebraska Beer Great Plains History by the Pint and founder/managing editor of Nebraska Foodie (@NebraskaFoodie) on Instagram. He loves to visit Lincoln’s restaurants and blog about it.
Chris Whitney, the Communication Coordinator at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, is a proud alumnus of Broadcast House. For several years Chris has been an enthusiastic and dedicated runner. He participates in the MS Run, a nationwide cross-country relay event that raises funds for multiple sclerosis (MS) research. In 2023, he ran a total of 168 miles across Nebraska over the course of five days. His remarkable journey was a testament to his passion for running and a heartfelt tribute to his mother, who was diagnosed with MS in 1988.
Jackson Wilde joined the International Quilt Museum after serving as the city editor of a newspaper in northern Utah. He graduated with a BA in Journalism and Communications from Utah State University in 2018.
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