Woman of the Year

2022 Inspire Woman of the Year Woman of the Year Finalists

Dr. Anne Hubbard

CEO/President, Claire M. Hubbard Foundation

Dr. Anne Hubbard is a retired physician — a pediatric radiologist — who did clinical care and research for 33 years. She was a mentor to numerous women in their post graduate medical careers. She currently runs the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation that focuses on the environment, STEM education and Indigenous communities. The foundation works to connect as many of the funded organizations as possible to improve outcomes. She serves on the board of the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, the University of Nebraska Foundation and the Kiewit Luminarium. She also serves on advisory committees to the UNMC College of Public Health, the State Museum at UNL and the Picotte Hospital in Walthill, Nebraska. Dr. Hubbard has mentored many Native American children, three of whom are now in college.

REBECCA S. GRATZ

Sponsored by: WINNER Dr. Maryanne Stevens

President, College of Saint Mary

Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, took the helm as president of College of Saint Mary in Omaha on June 1, 1996. College of Saint Mary is the region’s only college for women.

Dedicated to creating an environment to call forth potential and foster leadership, College of Saint Mary has developed several innovative programs under the leadership of Dr. Stevens, specifically, a residence hall allowing single mothers of college age to live with their children on campus; Marie Curie scholarships for low-income women majoring in science or math; the Latina and African-American Summer Academies for ninth and 10th grade high school girls and the development of a unique online doctoral program for educators. Dr. Stevens’ passion for the education and advancement of women cannot be more evidenced than by her leadership of numerous capital campaign and scholarship initiatives that have allowed College of Saint Mary to take its rightful place in the regional landscape of higher education.

Affordability and transparency have always been important to Dr. Stevens. In 2013, all student fees were rolled into the tuition so students knew what they would pay. And in the fall of 2017, College of Saint Mary slashed undergraduate tuition by 33%, or approximately $10,000. The move was in accordance with the institution’s mission of providing access and affordability to women who seek higher education. As a result, students borrow less and follow more direct — and cost-effective — paths to their careers. Since the tuition reset, students’ average annual loan borrowings decreased 43% from $11,224 to $6,357.

Dr. Stevens serves on several community and national boards, including the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Educational Finance Authority, Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation, the Tri-Faith Initiative and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha, the Aksarben Foundation, the League of Women Voters, Girls Inc., Essential Pregnancy Services, Women’s Center for Advancement, Mercy High School, Roncalli High School, the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) all have honored Dr. Stevens for her leadership and dedication to the education of women.

Dr. Stevens joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1966 after graduating from Mercy High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in math and sociology from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in theology from St. Louis University, and a Ph.D. in religion and education from Boston College.

Julie Kalkowski

Executive Director, Financial Hope Collaborative at Creighton University

For the past 30 years, Julie Kalkowski has consistently been able to create positive changes in Omaha through an inclusive, collaborative approach that connects people to the financial mainstream. It is an approach that has benefited the community, employers and especially, families who are struggling financially. Graduates from the Financial Hope Collaborative at Creighton University are increasing their incomes, paying off debt and experiencing better health due to reduced financial stress. She lives in Omaha with her husband, Paul Farrand, and they have two wonderful daughters.

Lulu Rangel

Clinical Director, Completely Kids

Carmen Tapio

Owner/CEO, North End Teleservices

Lulu Rangel is the clinical director at Completely KIDS where she has grown her social work career over the last 10 years. Her work in the therapy field started in 2018 after graduating and transitioning to a clinician role. She has been a licensed independent clinical social work since 2021. Her passion in the mental health field stems from the lack of cultural representation and availability there is in the community. She is proud to offer free therapy services through the mental health program to kids and families in our community through the wrap around services Completely KIDS offers. She is a proud daughter of Sergio and Estela, wife to Teddy, and, most importantly, mother to Ezra.

As founder and CEO of for-profit and nonprofit enterprises, Carmen Tapio focuses on growing economic impact and helping people create and achieve the vision for their lives. Her mission as a servant leader is to create career pathways, economic independence, education, inspiration, access and community revitalization. She and her businesses have received accolades for growth, leadership, culture, ethics, and excellence. She serves on a variety of nonprofit and public company boards. She and her husband, Bob, live with their two dogs, Bella, and Lola, and enjoy traveling and gardening together.