We are looking to change the political landscape and to restore political balance in our state. We are a hub for political news and action. We live and work in rural, urban and suburban Nebraska. We are progressive, independent, moderate, populist and everything in between. We are Bold Nebraska.
Board of Directors
Board Member, Rick Poore: Rick is a small business owner in Lincoln. Starting his business DesignWear in 1994, Rick has seen first hand the role small business owners can have in shaping policies that affect his work and his employees.
Board Member, Dr. Amanda McKinney: Amanda is a doctor in rural Nebraska. She grew up in Odell and her grandfather was a member of Nebraska’s Congressional delegation in the 1960s. Dr. McKinney was one of three doctors on stage with President Obama during a critical moment in the fight for healthcare reform.
Board Member, Emily Schlichting: Born and raised in Nebraska (or Corn-Born, in her words), Emily's life revolves around politics, service and words. Emily has worked at the Center for American Progress in Washington DC. On the issue on health care reform, Emily has shared her story here in Nebraska, worked with Young Invincibles, the White House and testified in front of the US Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee on behalf of young Americans. In addition to working on her dual Political Science and Communication Studies degrees at UNL, Emily serves as the speaker of the student senate and as founder/director of the Plus One Nebraska campaign to bring Employee +1 benefits to the University of Nebraska. She is also a 2011 Truman Scholar. As for spare time, well... it's spent sleeping Email Emily: eschlichting@boldnebraska.org.
Staff & Interns
Editor and Founder, Jane Kleeb: Jane lives for cooking, politics and news. She was a reporter for MTV, frequent guest on FOX and MSNBC and key advisor for “Thin” a documentary on eating disorders. Jane led a statewide organizing campaign on health care reform, served as the national executive director of the Young Democrats of America, the foundation director for Renfrew a mental health facility and headed up an AmeriCorps program. Jane has a "thing" for training manuals, flip charts and icebreakers. She lives in Hastings with her husband Scott, an energy efficiency entrepreneur. They have three little girls and a backyard garden that always has spare zucchini. Email Jane: jane@boldnebraska.org.
News Director, Malinda Frevert: Malinda's passion for politics began as a tyke watching the Clinton/Bush election returns with her Reagan-Republican dad. While she initially dreamt of being a farmer or a paleontologist, Malinda realized she could not deny her zeal for politics, story telling and new media. She graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln with a degree in Political Communication and jumped at the opportunity to change Nebraska's political landscape with Bold. When she's not perusing and generating all manner of online content, Malinda's swapping vegetarian recipes or listening to alt rock mixes. Email Malinda: news@boldnebraska.org.
Energy Director, Ben Gotschall: Ben was born and raised on a cattle ranch in the Sandhills of southwest Holt County, Nebraska. Although most of his occupations have been agricultural, he has also published a full-length book of poetry and taught college English. He continues to maintain a connection to the Sandhills, running his own cattle business and helping his family manage the ranch, while finding the time to write, play music, and work on behalf of farmers and ranchers with the Nebraska Farmers Union and other organizations. Email Ben: ben@boldnebraska.org
Intern, Tyson Johnson: Tyson began to perceive the vastly unbalanced scale of Nebraskan politics while he grew up in his small town of Daykin, Nebraska. This one-sided discussion played a part in his decision to major in Political Science and Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tyson loves to travel and last year spent a semester in Spain, aiding him in his Spanish minor. When not obsessing about the day’s political news, he spends his free time biking and staying involved with his fraternity. Email Tyson: intern@boldnebraska.org
BOLD Intern, Jack Anderson: Growing up in Kearney, Jack has gained several political experiences through his involvement in youth and community organizations. Currently a senior at Kearney High School, Jack is finishing up his final semester and looking forward to continuing his education in the field of Public Policy or Political Science. When not studying or volunteering, Jack enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and riding his moped. Jack looks forward to reshaping the political landscape of Nebraska, all while surrounding himself with as much information and as many experiences as possible during his time as an intern with Bold Nebraska. Email Jack: intern@boldnebraska.org
Designer, Justin Kemerling: As a community-minded designer and activist, consider Justin an extremely interested party in how America exists in the world, what it means to be a global citizen today and how to make change beautiful. For more: www.justinkemerling.com.
