Why did you join the Junior League? To meet people, and it worked! Some of my best friends and favorite people I met though the league.

Tell us about your family? I married my high school sweetheart, Nick Thielen, in September of 2008. He went to Colgate University in Upstate NY and Law school at University of Nebraska. He is an attorney at Kutak Rock and also very interested and involved in the Omaha Community. We have a goldendoodle named Chloe that we got from the humane society the night of his first law school final exam.  We just had a baby, Miss Audrey who is absolutely incredible and the love of our lives. She was born Nov 21^st 2014.

Pets: Chole – Goldendoodle and baby #1 of the family 

Hometown: All over – I was adopted in Ohio, moved over seas to Germany, Spain, and England. Then back to the US to Michigan, then Nebraska, Boston and back to Nebraska.

College: I went to Boston University and LOVED IT

Job/Business: I work for Nebraska Children and Families Foundation as the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. My job is to cultivate donors and community engagement for NCFF.

What was your favorite placement and why?

My favorite placement was the development and first year running of Project Hope Pack. I loved working with the community to find out what was needed and then strategize with a group of amazing women to make it happen. I really enjoyed how closely we worked together during the development year and the first year of running the project as co-chair. I met some of my best friends in the league during those two years. It was a blast working out all the logistic and small details to make the project a success and it amazes me to see how well the project is doing and the difference it is making in the community.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

I was diagnosed with Cushings, I was very sick and had to stop work and community involvement to tend to my health. I had a brain tumor removed and a long recovery but from there I returned to school to get my masters degree, I became reconnected in the community through the league and other organizations and I had a new appreciation and passion about everything I got involved with. It was a tough time but now I love my job, my volunteer commitments, and I deeply love my husband and family who stuck with me through the good and bad.

What are your favorite restaurant(s) in Omaha?

I live in the Dundee neighborhood and I love the entire Dundee Underwood run. Some of my favorites there are Avoli and Amsterdam although all of the Dundee restaurants are great. We also love Nicola’s for Italian, Le Boullion and Boiler Room for a night downtown, and Lisa Radial for breakfast.

What other organizations are you affiliated with?

Project Harmony and Child Saving Institute

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

My new favorite thing is to keep Audrey (daughter) home from daycare and just play. I know she won’t stay this little for long but right now it is fun to spend the whole day holding her as she coo’s and smiles, and just loves that I’m around.  Its amazing!
What is your favorite season and why?

Fall – its full of some of my favorite memories. When I lived in Boston Fall was absolutely beautiful and my friends and I would walk the city and just enjoy.  My husband’s grandparents had a cabin and in the fall we would go out and have bonfires and I loved the warm day and cool evenings on the lake.  And of course my wedding was in the fall and it was the best night and the best party of my life.

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

I love LOVE to cook. My husband and I have a NYE tradition of cooking a 10 course dinner from the French Laundry Cookbook. It started the year after we got married. Nick bought his Tux for the wedding but we did not have a reason to wear it again so we started a Black Tie New Years Eve dinner. We cook 10 courses from the French Laundry Cookbook (another wedding present and one of our favorite Chef’s Thomas Keller) We dress in black tie, bring out the china and crystal and have a blast with our friends.  It is a great tradition!   — However all year long cooking is something that both Nick and I enjoy and is a lot of fun to do together!