Omaha’s Next Big Ideas Need a Place to Begin

Omaha is filled with creatives, problem-solvers, and emerging leaders who see what could be and are ready to help build it.

The inaugural Shift Summit will bring those voices together Friday, Sept. 18, at Catalyst Omaha for a one-day experience centered on creativity, collaboration, and community-driven innovation.

Created by event strategist Mishala Lewis of NAVU Events and Management, the summit is designed for early-career professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives and changemakers who want to grow their confidence, exchange ideas across industries and play a greater role in shaping Omaha’s future.

The day will feature interactive workshops exploring creativity, leadership, innovation, and community impact. Facilitators include Candace Gould of Candace Michelle Coaching and Omaha 100; Angela Cooper of Mindpower Strategic; and Stephanie Kidd, Ph.D., of the UNeTech Institute.

Mayor John Ewing will also facilitate an Executive Innovation Conversation, connecting the leaders shaping Omaha today with the emerging innovators bringing new ideas to the city’s future.

More than a traditional professional conference, The Shift Summit is designed to help participants ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and turn possibility into action. It also recognizes that innovation is not limited to technology or new products. It can include rethinking systems, expanding access, and creating new approaches to the challenges facing our communities.

The summit will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Catalyst Omaha, 4601 Catalyst Court. General admission begins at $80.25, and students may attend for free.

If you are building a new idea, finding your voice, or looking for a room filled with people who think differently, this is your invitation to join the shift.