Meet the Team

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.

~ Nelson Mandela

Meet Our Staff

Julie Allen

Founder & CEO

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Aubrey Shumake

Program Specialist

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Lynn Shumake

Administrative Manager

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Meet Our Partners

Lead Up’s higher education partner is Nebraska Wesleyan University; the #1 liberal arts university in Nebraska. NWU’s long tradition of academic excellence and its strategic comitment to further expand college acces for Nebraska students are values we share, and our students benefit greatly from NWU’s investment in our program. Hosting the annual leadership Summit, inviting our leaders on campus for experiences of college life, scholarships, and consultation, and support for high quality college preparation are just a few ways that Lead Up has been included as part of the Prairie Wolf community.

 Lead Up is “at home” among the North Star Gators, the central location for Lead Up’s programmatic operations. North Star is one of the city’s most diverse schools and has the largest English Language learner population in Lincoln. North Star’s includsive climate, creativity and open doors to partners across the community have allowed Lead Up to develop and grow. You can find our Program Specialists providing tutoring and ACT coaching daily after school and frequent workshops and events such as quarterly networking and the annual Career – Care Fair are accessible to all students right on site.

Meet Our Board

Amy Kloefkorn

Amy Kloefkorn

Professional Coach | NoBull Change

“Intentional mentorship with youth has shown to transform lives and communities. Lead Up increases and enhances those impactful mentorship experiences that empower these students to create for themselves a bright future, in turn creating vibrant communities.”

Kimberly Rathe

Kimberly Rathe

Director of Talent Sourcing | Gallup

“I do think it is exceedingly important that we invest in education and helping increase diversity in higher education, and therefore increasing diversity into workplaces. Investing in today’s youth to change the future is one of the most impactful things we can do.”

Liz Shehorn

Liz Shehorn

Mortgage Support Lead | Mortech Zillow Group

“Diversity in business is paramount. Diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, ability, and sexual orientation build stronger business by increasing differing perspectives and new ideas. Empowering our students of all backgrounds by imparting business and networking skills and helping them reach academic excellence, improves the quality and diversity of our future workforce.”

Ryan Wendling

Ryan Wendling

Cost Accountant | Cleaver-Brooks

“With three generations of educators in my family, I was taught the value and importance of education from a young age. Lead Up provides the support and direction for our future leaders to find academic success.”