By Connecting Young Nebraskans
Connecting Young Nebraskans (CYN) announced the 2023 Young Nebraskan awardees during its Oct. 19 biennial summit, attended by about 120 young Nebraskans in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center North.
Prior to the Summit, CYN invited nominations of exemplary young professionals who are making a positive impact in their workplaces and communities. Awards were presented in six categories to ambitious young Nebraskans across the state.
An honorable mention for the Community Involvement & Impact Award went to Kristina Reeves of Chadron.
The Young Professional of the Year Award went to Melissa Norgard of Sidney. Norgard is the owner of Sam & Louie's & Boss City Brewing, chair of the Sidney and Greater Area Fund and lead of the Creative District and Historical Preservation Board. In her spare time, she writes grants for the City of Sidney (including a housing proposal that was recently awarded $1.5 million). She worked tirelessly on a 90-plus page application for Sidney to be a certified Creative District and is also active in the local Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems initiative, volunteering her time and giving guidance rooted in her experience in economic development and small business ownership. Norgard also serves on the Historic Preservation Board and has worked to retool programs to update dilapidated historic buildings downtown.
About Connecting Young Nebraskans
Connecting Young Nebraskans CYN connects young Nebraskans and empowers them to lead and shape the future of their communities and state. CYN’s statewide network is a dynamic and diverse group of more than 900 peers with a passion for making a difference, a willingness to learn and the desire to build important relationships to help shape the future of Nebraska. Connecting Young Nebraskans is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation.