Guild Member Spotlight - Katy Spratte

I was born and raised in the great state of Minnesota, then moved to Omaha to attend Creighton, and loved it here so much that I stayed. 

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, walking my two black labs Molly and Murphy, traveling with my fiancé Skip (Sonoma, California is next!), and practicing yoga. I suppose I should add wedding planning to my hobbies as well, since that has been dominating my time of late. Some of my other favorite things include floral design classes, my cabin up north, cooking with my gal pals, and book club (which is just code for wine club). 

I love my job, where I work with local causes as part of the TAGG (Together A Greater Good) platform; my bosses are two incredible women who I truly look up to, and each day is different from the last. Plus, I'm happy to report that the WCA is one of our partner nonprofits. 

This is my first year as a member of the WCA Partner's Guild. I originally got involved as a community member of the Silent Auction committee for TGIF last year, and was thrilled to be able to join the Guild this year. I am helping with the silent auction once again, as well as serving on the Career Closet Committee. I look forward to getting to know the Guild ladies even better, and continuing to serve this wonderful organization!

Guild Member Spotlight - Christine Henningsen

I was born and raised in Omaha, but I went to college in Chicago and lived there and a few other places before I moved back to Omaha in 2008.  I work for the University of Nebraska Lincoln at the Center on Children, Families and the Law.  I direct a project there called Nebraska Youth Advocates which works with juvenile defense attorneys across the state to promote best practices when working with children who become involved in the juvenile justice system.  My undergraduate degree is in Social Work and after practicing law for five years in Nebraska's Douglas County Juvenile Court I really became aware of the need for reform in our approach to working with youth to put them on a path towards success.  Outside of work, I love running and being outdoors, which helps put into focus an otherwise hectic daily routine.  

My husband, Josh and I have three children.  Mabel is 6 years old and is in Kindergarten at St. Pius X/St. Leo School.  She loves dancing and telling her little brothers, Oliver (3) and Isaac (1) what to do.  Oliver seems to share my love for running and Isaac has a smile that makes even the grayest day seem okay.  Josh works for the Nebraska Legislature as legal counsel for the Judiciary Committee.  We are always excited for May when the session ends and he doesn't have to go to Lincoln everyday.  I had a conference in Washington D.C. this last December, so we turned into a fun family vacation, though Mabel was a little upset she didn't get to meet President Obama.   

I became friends with Kellie Harry while I was working with her husband Bill in the public defenders office.  She knows that I can't refuse a good silent auction, so she invited us to attend the WCA Partners Guild tgif! event.  I have been hooked ever since. 
One of my jobs following law school was at the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence where I worked with immigrant survivors of domestic violence.  While working there I gained a greater understanding of the need for supportive agencies such as the WCA, and I want to do whatever I can to support their mission.

Jill McClure did such a great job as VP of Programs last year, and so it was easy to just jump and and pick-up where she left off.  As VP of Programs, this year, I am really looking forward to a great Staff Appreciation Week and planning some fun events where we can all get to know each other better.
I think the Career Closet and job preparation services that the WCA provides are wonderful.  I think it is a great way for guild members to get involved both by providing clothes, other resources and tips for success.

--Christine Henningsen

Guild Member Spotlight - Lyndsay Speece

This is my first year serving on the WCA Partners Guild.  Prior to joining the Guild, I volunteered in the Boutique, the WCA's clothing closet. There I helped organize the donations and met with clients to find clothing items they needed.  The work of the WCA is amazing and I feel very blessed to be a part of it.  

I am married to Mohamed and have a 14 year old stepson Chandler, and a 2.5 year old son, Idriss.  I am also pregnant and expecting twins in late August. I am an attorney in the legal department of National Indemnity Company, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary.  I attended law school at Seton Hall School of Law and worked at a large firm in Chicago prior to returning to Nebraska.

Between work and family, my days are full and challenging, but also very rewarding.  When time permits, I enjoy traveling to far afield places and experiencing new cultures.  I lived in Brazil for a year and a half and am fluent in Portuguese.

As this is my first year in the WCA, I am looking forward to making wonderful memories and participating in the multitude of service activities the Guild performs. 

--Lyndsay Speece

Guild Member Spotlight - Erin Kaiser

I am originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota and went to college in Lincoln, Nebraska. I work for a friends software company managing their finances. Life is busy as a mommy to two, Chloe (3) and Cash (3 months). But I am able to find time for my hobbies, which include, working out at barre class and golfing with my husband, Josh. We have been married for 5 1/2 years. Together we enjoy drinking wine and take a trip to Sonoma, California every year to educate ourselves.

My passion is volunteering. I was introduced to the WCA Partners Guild by a friend 3 three years ago. I wanted to be involved in an important organization in our community. This year, I am the Membership chair and  looking forward to meeting new Guild members. The women on this guild all bring something different, useful and valuable to the the total membership experience, so I am excited to see what the Guild can to this year. I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring new women to the guild- the more women involved the more we can help the WCA.

The agency is always growing and changing. I am interested in learning more about all the expanding areas. I feel like I never know enough about the work they do and the impact they have on our community every single day.


-- Erin Kaiser

Guild Member Spotlight - Sabrina Ahern

I am a single mom of two amazing girls! Alivia Miyoko (6) and Elsa Mitsu (20 months). They are my world. I live my life and raise my girls with a deep faith and relationship with God. I have an amazing and supportive community of family and friends.

Both of my degrees are from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Design and a Master of Architecture. About four days each week, I work as an Interior Designer/Space Planner with LEO A DALY. I have been with the company for the past 13 years.  I specialize in healthcare but I also work on different types of commercial projects. I am a photographer and owner of Sabrina Ahern Photography and Design. I have always had a love for photography so in 2010, I expanded my hobby into a business. Between the two jobs, I am immersed in the design world almost every day! 

For the past four years, I have been on the WCA Partners Guild. The majority of my involvement over the past years have been the printed graphics for the Guild's tgif! fundraiser. This year, I am also serving as Membership-Elec. I love this agency and the amazing impact they have on the city of Omaha and the women they help. I am honored and grateful to be a part of the Guild! I encourage those new and old to be involved and help make the impact even greater!

--Sabrina Ahern

Guild Member Spotlight - Sarah Freeland

This is my 4th year on the guild. I have served as a tgif! co-chair, and last year as President-Elect. I am looking forward to a great year working with everyone as the President of the WCA Partners Guild.

My husband, Jeff and I have 3 boys. Will is seven years old, Noah is four and Jack is 14 months. It's wild and crazy living in a house of all boys, but it's fun! 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), currently taking a break to stay home with my boys. I recently left my position as a Social Worker at Children's Hospital and Medical Center, where I worked part time for the last eight years. I loved it there, and hope to return one day in the future!

My favorite WCA Guild memory was (surviving!) tgif! in 2014. I was a co-chair and nine months pregnant at the time. I thought for sure that night would put me into labor, and I actually packed my hospital bag and had it waiting in the car. I was on my feet as much as possible that night, but no dice. Jack came that following Monday.

The tgif! event is always so much fun! I got to know many guild members better through the process of co-chairing the event. Food for thought: chair the event, and make new friends in the process!

--Sarah Freeland