Josefina Loza Tapped as Leader for Nebraska’s First-Ever Governor’s Youth Summit in Kearney
Award-winning storyteller and entrepreneur Josefina Loza has been selected as a Leader for the inaugural Nebraska Governor’s Youth Summit, set to take place on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Neb.
The Youth Summit, which was launched in partnership with CareerPathway.com and the Nebraska Departments of Economic Development and Agriculture, is the state’s first large-scale convening focused on connecting Nebraska’s rising generation of high school and college students with real-world career opportunities.
Loza, founder and CEO of Lozafina Marketing & Public Relations, is among a distinguished slate of community and industry leaders invited to mentor and engage with youth participants throughout the summit. The event is expected to draw more than 300 students, along with businesses, educators, state leaders, and workforce partners from across Nebraska.
“It’s a statewide investment in the leadership potential, creativity, and dreams of our youth,” Loza explained. “I’m honored to help build meaningful bridges between Nebraska’s bright young leaders and the opportunities waiting for them right here at home.”
The Youth Summit will operate parallel to the broader Governor’s Summit on Economic Development and is tailored to high school juniors/seniors and college freshmen/sophomores who are exploring career and education options. Activities include:
Career Connection Bubbles – industry-themed networking pods designed to match students with job-shadowing, internships, scholarships, apprenticeships, and post-secondary training
Real-Time Job Matching – utilizing the CareerPathway.com platform, students will be matched in advance with participating employers and education partners
Panel Discussions & Breakout Sessions – from durable skills to fast-track industry pipelines, students will gain insight into both the technical and human skills needed to thrive
Keynote Speakers – including Governor Jim Pillen and Nebraska Head Football Coach Matt Rhule, who will kick off the day with a joint welcome session.
Loza’s leadership brings a community-centered lens. A longtime advocate for youth empowerment and workforce development, Loza has two decades of experience at the intersection of journalism, brand storytelling, and community engagement. Through her firm Lozafina and youth-led ventures like Hiya Magazine, Loza has built mentorship programs, scholarship funds, and visibility campaigns aimed at uplifting underserved voices in Nebraska and beyond.
Save the Date: Nebraska Governor’s Youth Summit
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Younes Conference Center North | Kearney, NE
Learn more or register: https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth