Itzel López: From Immigrant to CEO, Building Latino Economic Power in Omaha
In 2024, Itzel López made history by becoming the first Chief Executive Officer of the Latino Economic Development Council (LEDC), a position born of community trust, strategic vision, and years of service. LEDC is the nonprofit heartbeat of Latino economic empowerment in South Omaha, focused on supporting entrepreneurs, workforce pathways, and inclusive growth.
López’s roots trace back to Mexico, where she was born and raised until age 12, when she and her family relocated to Omaha. That bi-cultural journey would become a backbone of her leadership style, both bridging and translating cultural and institutional expectations. In Omaha, she built a reputation for authentic relationships across sectors, from business to philanthropy, nonprofit to civic government.
Her professional experience spans nearly two decades in community organizing, developmental work, and nonprofit leadership, and she is recognized for her strength in securing multi-year funding and aligning stakeholders toward shared goals.
As CEO of LEDC, López oversaw early wins that deepened LEDC’s footprint: launching the Adelante Initiative, a multi-million dollar place-based investment in South Omaha, and assembling a forward-looking board to guide strategic growth. She has also been deeply involved with Plaza de la Raza, a $25M redevelopment project in South Omaha, positioning it as both symbolic anchor and tangible investment in Latino place-making.
Under her leadership, LEDC is becoming an economic movement. In two years since her appointment, the organization has built partnerships, won community trust, and mapped a trajectory for long-term prosperity.
For the Latino community in Omaha, López’s rise reflects a shift: for the first time, a Latina is not only in a boardroom but directing the economic narrative of her community, aligning heritage, strategy, and hope into institutional power.
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