President & Chief Executive Officer | Omaha Plublic Power District

Javier Fernandez has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of OPPD since 2021. He joined the utility in 2017 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Fernandez came to OPPD from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), U.S. Department of Energy, in Portland, Oregon. He had been with the federal power marketing organization since 2012, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He previously served as senior vice president of Fixed Income Capital Markets for D.A. Davidson & Company and vice president of Public France for Seattle Northwest Securities Corporation.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) in Mexico City, a master’s degree in business administration from Yale University, and a Utility Management Certificate from the University of Idaho.

He currently serves as Board Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Omaha Branch, vice-chair of the Large Public Power Council, Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Omaha, and is a board member for Ameritas, Bellevue University, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and the Aksarben Foundation.

Chair, President & CEO, National Director | WoodmenLife

Denise McCauley serves as WoodmenLife’s President & Chief Executive Officer. She also serves as Chair of the National Board of Directors and is a member of the Governance Committee. McCauley is a member of WoodmenLife Chapter 16 in Omaha, NE.

She began her WoodmenLife career in June 2008 as Vice President, Core Operations. In 2011, McCauley was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations, and in 2015, she was named Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. Before being appointed WoodmenLife President & Chief Executive Officer, McCauley served as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Secretary.

Prior to joining WoodmenLife, she held various positions in the financial services industry, focused on Operations, Product Development, Client Management, and Product Management functions. In addition, McCauley’s position prior to joining WoodmenLife involved leading a line of business in the payment processing industry.

McCauley serves on the Board of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Aksarben Foundation Board, the LIMRA and LOMA Global Board of Directors, and the Volunteer Advisory Committee for Food Bank for the Heartland. In addition, she is an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels and Open Door Mission. McCauley grew up in Omaha, NE, and graduated from the University of Nebraska – Omaha with a B.S. degree in Business Administration.

Studies highlight a significant limiting factor for women in business is the lack of a solid network. Julie Brown wants to change that narrative. In her breakout session, Julie will share how and why women approach networking differently than men, explore the top 5 networking tools for in-person, virtual, and hybrid scenarios, and uncover the untapped networking potential in your everyday activities. Together, let’s build a network that empowers and supports each other

about Julie:

Julie Brown is a sought after speaker, networking expert, business strategist, Author of “This Sh!t Works: A No-Nonsense Guide to Networking Your Way to More Friends, More Adventures, and More Success,” a book dedicated to making networking easy, accessible (and even fun!) as well as the host of the “This Sh!t Works” podcast. 

If you cringe at the thought of attending a networking event (virtual or otherwise), if you’re looking to expand your professional network, advance your career and build business, Julie’s advice and tips strike the perfect balance of humor and expertise gained from more than 25 years of networking and business development experience.

What would you do if you had a little more confidence? Would you ask for a raise, go for the promotion, or share your new idea? More women than ever are in leadership today, yet doubt and imposter feelings are big reasons women hold back at work. Learn how to claim your role as a confident leader with Kelli Thompson. Lead by what you stand for, own your unique talents and advocate your point of view to make lasting impact in the rooms where decisions are made.

about Kelli:

Kelli Thompson is an executive coach and speaker who is on a mission to advance women to the rooms where decisions are made. She has coached and trained thousands of women to trust themselves, lead with more confidence and create a career they love. She is the founder of the Clarity & Confidence Women’s Leadership Program, and a Stevie Award winner for Women in Business—Coach of the Year. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book, “Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential & Your Paycheck.”

Get ready to get out of your head and into the present moment! Simplify the way you think about mental wellness by focusing on self-awareness as the conduit for it. Dorsey Standish offers solutions built on scientifically tested methodologies which have been proven in countless studies to reduce stress and anxiety and to increase productivity and job satisfaction.

about Dorsey:

Dorsey Standish is a mechanical engineer, neuroscientist, wellness expert and CEO of Mastermind, who brings evidence-based mindfulness and emotional intelligence to clients worldwide.

Her personal mission is to help Type A people like herself slow down, destress and optimize their performance through mindfulness-based brain health training.

Dorsey’s keynotes inspire audiences through a mix of groundbreaking neuroscience research, relatable storytelling and practical mindfulness tips for high performers who think they are “too busy” to meditate.

Dorsey has spoken to audiences including Staples, Toyota, Meta, Pier One and American Airlines. Dorsey holds a master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Dorsey’s teachings draw on her training as a teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction through Brown University and deep experience on regular seven-day silent meditation retreats.

While Dorsey has studied with meditation masters, she believes that her best mindfulness teachers are her beautiful wife and two young sons.

Investing doesn’t have to be complicated – this session will help you improve your financial health, providing recommendations for how women can engage in their finances to take control, get on track and build wealth.

During the breakout conversation, Charles Schwab Branch Network Executive Jeannie Bidner will share key traits and trends in the financial services industry – specifically focusing on how you can maximize your value by building wealth and financial confidence.

Attendees will also explore important considerations for women (and men) when it comes to saving and investing now and for the future. After the session, you’ll feel empowered and equipped to manage your money more intentionally.

about JEANNIE:

Jeannie Bidner is Head of the Branch Network at Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (Schwab). She has been with the firm for nearly 20 years and oversees all physical company-managed branch locations and centralized national branch teams.

Prior to her current role, Jeannie held various positions at Schwab, including most recently, leading and executing on the strategy for Specialized Teams for Advice & Relationships, and prior to that she led both the Central and Western Divisions of the Branch Network. Jeannie started her Schwab career working directly with clients as a Financial Services Professional and spent three years in the Learning & Development organization prior to leading Field Enablement teams providing project, change management and communications support for the primary retail business lines.

Jeannie received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from Colorado State University and has obtained her FINRA Series 7, 63 and 24 licenses and the Certified Financial Planning™ designation in addition to completion of the three-year Securities Industry Institute® at Wharton. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the Business School at the University of Colorado (Denver campus), she is a steering committee member of the City of Lone Tree Planning Commission, she is a Board Member for the Lone Tree Arts Center, and she serves as Executive Sponsor for the Women’s Interactive Network at Schwab (WINS).