For Immediate Release: October 22, 2020
United Way of the Midlands’ Annual Meeting Set for October 23rd
United Way of the Midlands (UWM) will report back to the community and share goals for future impact at its virtual Annual Meeting on Friday, October 23rd from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Speakers include special guest Bill Moos, Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and Shawna Forsberg, President and CEO of UWM.
UWM’s mission is to impact poverty by focusing the efforts of many to help our neighbors stand strong – by addressing basic needs, and fostering success in the classroom and the workplace.
UWM’s 2020 “Citizens of the Year” will be celebrated at the event – Rodrigo and Mary Lopez:
Rodrigo Lopez currently serves as the Chairman of AmeriSphere Companies and is involved in commercial real estate investments. From July 2019 to September 2020, he also served as Interim President and CEO of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. Prior to this, he served as President and CEO of AmeriSphere Multifamily Finance, a provider of capital solutions for the multifamily rental housing industry, which he founded in 1997. He served as Executive Chairman of NorthMarq Capital Finance when AmeriSphere Multifamily Finance was acquired by NorthMarq Capital in 2015. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lopez was Chief Lending Officer for a life insurance company, responsible for investments in commercial mortgage loans and commercial real estate assets.
Mary Lopez retired from the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s School of Public Administration in 2011, where she served as Career Services Director. Prior to this position, Ms. Lopez managed the Safe Futures Consortium, an outreach program for UNO focused on youth violence prevention. She and Rodrigo started a real estate development company in 2016. As president of the company, Ms. Lopez oversees the ongoing operations and expansion of their first development, Capitol Place, a commercial and residential property in downtown Omaha.
Together, Ms. and Mr. Lopez have a long history of community service. Ms. Lopez was the founding chair of the Women’s Leadership Council, a philanthropy education and development initiative focused on women’s leadership giving for UWM, and Mr. and Ms. Lopez co-chaired the 2014 UWM campaign. They have each served on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations within the human services, healthcare, housing, government, education and arts and humanities fields.
They share a commitment to passing on their passion for community service to the next generation, love to travel and explore cultures around the world and are deeply devoted to their family and friends. They have two children: Ana Lopez Shalla, married to Hassan Shalla, and David Lopez, married to Sarah Grossman Lopez. They also have three grandchildren, who are a continual source of joy and amazement.
To recognize companies who went above and beyond to support UWM during the 2019 campaign year, UWM will also present its third annual “Campaign Recognition Awards” at the meeting: “Volunteer Organization of the Year,” “New Business Partner of the Year” and “Corporate Partners of the Year.” A news release will be sent out following the event with details on the award winners.
To register, please visit www.unitedwaymidlands.org/events.
About United Way of the Midlands
United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro for more than 95 years. Guided by best practices and community input, it approaches poverty in a specific way – a “united” way. With the support of volunteers, community partners and donors, UWM invests donor dollars efficiently and effectively in our local community. These dollars fund basic needs, education and financial stability programs at local nonprofits, creating a circle of support for people in need. Please visit unitedwaymidlands.org for more information.