Lozafina’s Savannah Behrends honored as a Top Leader in Nebraska

Savannah Behrends, a familiar face in the Omaha journalism community and the talented Director of Storytelling at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations, has recently been named a finalist for The Top 50 Women Leaders of Nebraska for 2024. This recognition, by the Women We Admire (WWA) organization, celebrates Savannah’s commitment and innovation in bringing stories to life, which has resonated deeply within and beyond our local area.

Women We Admire, a flourishing professional network spanning the U.S. and Canada, is dedicated to elevating the profiles of women who make significant impacts in their fields. With a membership that includes some of the most accomplished leaders across diverse sectors, WWA provides a platform for networking, learning, and inspiration. They host monthly virtual events featuring insights from senior executives and offer opportunities to connect with peers, enhancing the professional and personal growth of its members.

Savannah’s leadership at Lozafina has not gone unnoticed. As Director of Storytelling, she crafts compelling narratives and assists our team by highlighting the success of people in our community. She’ll celebrate her year anniversary with Lozafina this May.

Additionally, Savannah serves as the assistant editor and staff writer at the Midlands Business Journal. She began her career in 2017 after finishing her bachelor’s in journalism at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In addition to writing dozens of Midlands Business Journal articles, she was instrumental in curating content and outreach initiatives for the publication. For instance, in 2019 she led the redesign of MBJ’s business announcements section, which moved from a free service to a revenue-generating product. She was promoted to assistant editor in 2021 and launched MBJ’s first-ever series on affordable housing in 2022. Following the series’ success, Savannah was asked to curate MBJ’s first quarterly series. She plans on covering immigrants and refugees, mental health, affordable housing, and veteran-owned businesses during the first year.

For Savannah, and others like her, this nomination is more than just a professional accolade; it’s a spotlight on the importance of storytelling in business and community engagement.

“I believe everyone has a unique story and that when we share those stories we create a more inclusive community,” she said. “From nonprofits fighting for inclusivity in sports, to a young entrepreneur raising mental health awareness, there are so many stories I’ve had the opportunity to share as director of storytelling.”

Savannah said she’s truly honored to be recognized among such inspiring women.

“Being recognized for that gift is entirely too much,” she added. “I am grateful to my mentor, Lozafina CEO Josefina Loza, who saw my potential, even as I hid behind imposter syndrome. Without her, I wouldn’t be here. I am so excited to have the opportunity to champion other young leaders in the same way Josefina championed me.”

The official WWA announcement and celebration of the awardees will be made through various channels, including the group’s website and social media, reaching an audience of over 32,000 individuals and businesses.

We are so proud of Savannah’s accomplishments and are rooting for her - and her continued success. As we await the official ceremony in early June, let’s continue to support Savannah and other local leaders who strive to make a difference through their unique contributions to our community.