FROM THE EDITOR:
When Omaha’s business leaders came together in 1895, they united across professions to keep economic opportunity flowing into Nebraska. Concerned that the state wasn’t moving forward, they spelled Nebraska backwards to create a witty pun, and the Aksarben Foundation was born. The philanthropic nonprofit has been helping create economic opportunities ever since. As the president of NP Dodge Company, Nate Dodge, who’s been involved with the organization at all levels, has noted: “We work together, and our only goal is community.”
That spirit carries through in so many of Omaha’s professions. Take, for example, Ashley Kuhn and Maranda Adams, the founders of Blair Freeman. They created Nebraska’s only 100% Black woman-owned and led Class A construction company, and associate editor Natalie Veloso met with them to discuss the why and the how of their business. Then there’s someone like Cyrus Jaffery of Jaffery Insurance & Financial Services, who takes time to help refugees like himself flourish and create their own economic opportunities.
And talk about affecting lives! CQuence Health and its flagship company, Cassling, are impacting the health of millions of people worldwide. As of this publication, the screen in its Omaha headquarters projected: “NUMBER OF LIVES TOUCHED: 180,197,914.” The goal is to reach one billion, and Mike Cassling, CQuence Founder and Chairman, and Dr. Kyle Salem, CEO and President of both Cassling and CQuence Health, sat down with B2B feature writer Julius Fredrick to discuss exactly how they are moving resolutely toward hitting that target and touching those lives.
Veteran business reporter Steve Jordon also examines how ethics plays a role in Omaha businesses and their decision-making process. As Dr. AnnMarie Marlier, Executive Director of the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance, stated: “Ethics is doing the right thing, even when no one’s looking.”
This is the kind of attitude that makes our city a phenomenal place to work and do business. As Nate Dodge says, organizations like the Aksarben Foundation are “fundamentally unique.” So, too, are the business leaders who make Omaha and its citizens thrive.
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