Leadership Team

Alex Lovrien, dedicated indigenous matriarch and proud Sicangu Lakota Tribe member. Her journey began at Metropolitan Community College in 2017 as a Career Skills Coach, evolving into her current role as Director of Workforce Training and Advisor for the Native American Cultural Student Association. Alex previously served as Hardship Assistance Coordinator at Heartland Family Service, supporting individuals in crisis. She's a first-generation graduate with an AAS in Human Services and holds a BGS with an emphasis in Psychology and Native American Studies from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Guided by Aristotle's wisdom, she emphasizes nurturing both intellect and spirit, fostering remarkable community growth. She volunteers for Healing Ribbons, Native American Primetime Reading Time program, and has served on the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition Board of Directors. A Mental Health First Aider, Alex's commitment extends to holistic well-being, shaped by foster care experiences alongside her siblings, which drives her aspiration to make a difference in others' lives and connect with her heritage. In her personal life, she's a proud mother of five and shares her journey with a dedicated partner of 22 years. Creatively, she enjoys family time playing games and expressing artistry through beading and sewing.

Dr. Kateri Hinman Petto, UmoNhoN/Hocak/Seneca and an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, serves as Board President and a dedicated clinical pharmacist. Growing up in Omaha, she is a passionate advocate for Indigenous visibility, a commitment deeply rooted in her late father, Larry Hinman's, legacy of community service and the power of education. Dr. Hinman Petto's academic journey began at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she studied Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy and Native American Studies. She then earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Creighton University in 2020, followed by a Clinical Pharmacy Residency at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HealthCare System. Driven by her personal experience with diabetes and its impact on her community, her professional focus is on addressing health disparities among Native people, with expertise in chronic disease management, mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, and infectious disease. Notably, she provided critical public health information to the Native community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She currently practices at Nebraska Methodist Hospital. Beyond her professional life, Dr. Hinman Petto is a devoted mother to Ellis and Alfred, raising them with her husband, John. They enjoy travel, nature, and visiting the many attractions in their hometown including the Children's museum, RiverFront Park, and Omaha Zoo. Her passion for making culture accessible to the next generation intersects with her work at Healing Ribbons, where she promotes health and wellness through cultural connection, aiming to heal historical and generational trauma.

Barbara is an enrolled member of the Omaha Nation. She is an educator who is also known for her contributions as a volunteer and advocate for the arts. Barbara earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Masters degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is a retired 7-12 grade mathematics teacher. Even in retirement, Barbara continues to be involved in the mathematics education community as an Adjunct Algebra Instructor at the Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC). Barbara also served as a consultant to various organizations across Nebraska. She was an Educational Consultant with a team from NICC that worked with the Humboldt Forum in Berlin on an exhibition about Francis LaFlesche, featuring belongings of the Omaha Nation he collected in the late 1800’s. She developed and taught a workshop on Native American Boarding Schools at The Humboldt Forum in Berlin.

Lila Dinnel is UmoNhoN/Hidatsa and an enrolled citizen of the Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota. Lila holds a Bachelor of Science in Management of Human Resources and is a licensed residential and commercial real estate agent in Nebraska. Lila brings to the table valuable experience in project management, specifically working within Indian country. Having grown up in the city of Omaha, Lila is dedicated to uplifting the Native community. She served as a volunteer for Healing Ribbons prior to joining the board in March of 2024.

Robin is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Tribe. Her maternal grandmother left the reservation at 16 years of age and moved to Omaha. Robin has fond childhood memories of going to the reservation with her mother and grandmother. In her retirement and with her children grown, she wants to devote more of her time and energy by volunteering and getting more involved with the Native American community. Robin and her husband Orhan have two daughters. Her oldest daughter recently graduated from college and started a job in Chicago. Her younger daughter is currently attending college in Colorado. Robin graduated from Omaha Central High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Earning the distinction of being the first in her family to graduate from college. After working 25 years as a public accountant working in the area of taxation she recently retired.