Meet our panelists.
Amelis Long
Director, Inclusion & Diversity at FNBO
When Amelis joined FNBO in 2016, she knew one thing for certain: she looked good in green. But, she quickly realized that, surrounded by great people, she was part of something bigger. From her first role in specialty product education and sales, to more recent roles in recruiting and talent consulting, Amelis uses storytelling and empathy to challenge norms. To her, there is nothing more exciting than navigating individual and cultural change through an admittedly odd balance of structure and big picture thinking. Amelis was recognized as one of FNBO’s 2020 Faces of Impact, recognizing employees who exemplify FNBO’s workplace culture of philanthropy.
Prior to joining the bank, Amelis was an Office Director, Rehabilitation Counselor and Evaluator for Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and Master’s Degree in Counseling from Creighton University. Amelis serves on the Board of Directors for Madonna School & Community Based Services, as well as Learning For All. She is an active volunteer St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, currently leading their inaugural Yearbook Club. When Amelis is not at work, she enjoys laughing with her husband, playing with her kids and conversing with her dogs.
Radell Nared Jr.
Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Radell Nared Jr. was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a proud alumnus of Omaha North High School. While a student at Omaha North High School, he was involved in Football, Track, Student Council, the National Honors Society, Principal Advisory, and numerous community service organizations. He was fortunate enough to receive the Bill and Melinda Gates Scholarship his senior year, which allowed him to pursue his dreams of becoming the first in his family to graduate from college. Having been blessed with this opportunity, he decided to attend Texas Christian University, where he majored in Psychology with a Business minor. While a student at Texas Christian University, Radell took on many leadership opportunities. He held numerous positions, such as being the President of the Eta Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and President of the NAACP.
Upon graduation, he returned home to help lead the youth in his community. Before joining the Omaha Chamber Team, Radell Nared Jr. served as the Associate Director for Access, Inclusion, and Diversity at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for six years. Radell was responsible for creating strategies, communication plans, and marketing materials, creating memorable events for underrepresented students, and ensuring they had the resources necessary to navigate the college process. During his time at the university, he helped recruit the most diverse classes for three consecutive years in a row helping to increase the number of BIPOC, first-generation, and low-income first-year scholars. He also served as the Advisor of the Diversity Ambassadors at UNL. Radell transitioned to the Chamber starting in 2021 and now serves at the Senior Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion overseeing the CODE Initiative at the Greater Omaha Chambers of Commerce, where he leads the CODE Initiatives and the Greater Omaha Chamber internal strategy. He loves spending time with his beautiful wife, his three-year-old daughter Adele, and any sporting and outdoor events, particularly track and football.
Joyce A. Cooper
Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Omaha Public Power District
Joyce Cooper is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) in Omaha, Nebraska. Joyce’ career path has taken some nontraditional turns. It started with teaching middle school science and drama, next directing education programs in science & technology museums, then creating university diverse talent pipelines into corporations and now changing culture in an electric utility. Three common threads are woven throughout her career: 1.) Cultivating people, 2.) Building infrastructures in
companies and 3.) Influencing communities.
Joyce serves on the Center for Energy Workforce Development’s (CEWD) Workforce Development Executive Council, The Large Public Power Council (LPPC) DE&I Working Group, The Inclusive Communities’ LeadDIVERSITY advisory group, Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Board of Directors, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Chancellor’s Board of Counselors and the Nebraska Energy Workforce Consortium. Joyce earned her Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, a Bachelor of Science in Education from Cornell University and a Certificate in Managing Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University. Joyce is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She and Rudyard, her husband, have two adult sons and one grandson.
