“I thought I really knew our city.”
“I wasn’t exposed to that when I grew up.”
“Leadership Lincoln really opened my eyes.”
Morgan Gerteisen had the good fortune of growing up in Lincoln … yet last year, when she was a Leadership Lincoln Fellow, it was like shining a light into some unknown corners in our city.
“Being a native, I thought I really knew our city,” said Gerteisen. “I didn’t realize how many live in poverty. How many kids depend on free and reduced lunch. I didn’t know what Cedars does. I wasn’t exposed to that when I grew up.”
“We want to deepen our relationship with the city of Lincoln, but especially northeast Lincoln,” the Wesleyan president said. “One of my mantras is we want to be a catalyst for lifting up northeast Lincoln and helping the neighborhoods thrive.”
It’s not uncommon to hear comments like these as participants in Leadership Lincoln’s four cohorts take part in their monthly programs. One aspect of the organization’s monthly gatherings is to take a deep look at poverty and how it impacts the city.
Gerteisen (her maiden name was Hartshorn) grew up in Lincoln, and she wanted to leave after high school. But she moved from Southeast High School to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then to a job with Nelnet and eventually with LiCor. She’s the senior talent operations manager (that’s a fancy title for human resources) for the high-tech biosciences research and manufacturing company. She and her husband Bryce met during college.
Leadership Lincoln engages people from across Lincoln and Lancaster County in a variety of programs designed to give them the knowledge, experiences, skills and leadership tools that prepare them to engage and become effective leaders within the community.
Since Gerteisen’s participation in the Fellows program – she was in the 35th class – she’s gotten involved with the organization’s Hot Topics committee, helping coordinate informative and thought-provoking programs on issues facing our community. Oh, and she’s on Lincoln City Libraries’ One Book-One Lincoln committee. (In case you haven’t heard, this year’s book is “Dear Edward.”)
Vice President for Marketing at Cornhusker Bank
“I’ve always loved to read. Reading was and still is an escape for me,” noted Gerteisen. “When they talked about cutting hours and budget for our libraries, I reached out to my City Council person and asked how I could help.” That’s another aspect of Leadership Lincoln that folks learn – how our government functions and how we, the governed, can get involved by letting our elected officials know what we feel is important.
When I asked Gerteisen to describe Lincoln, she focused on the growth that our city is experiencing.
“I can’t believe how much Lincoln has grown just since I was in college,” she said. “Our neighborhoods are growing – the Haymarket and arena made a huge impact. I’m also very proud of our diversity,” she added. “In many ways, we’re still a small community with just two or three degrees of separation.”
Gerteisen pointed out how easy it is to get to know people from across the community, another aspect of Leadership Lincoln.
As we concluded our conversation, Gerteisen shared some words of encouragement for others to make an impact: “If people aren’t involved, we lose our vibrancy. The challenge is selecting what you’re really good at and figuring out a way to get involved. Whether your interest is bike trails, animal shelters, affordable housing or the library, find your passion and figure out a way to get involved.”
The same grit that we witnessed in the pioneer families that settled Nebraska can be seen in Gatron Gatnoor’s family.
Top Journal Star photos for November

Maison Burnley of the Slim Chickens softball team gets in a session of batting practice in preparation for a spring league season on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in the late afternoon at Holmes Lake Park. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Gustavo Torres, a worker with Pronto Turf, pours gravy on his Thanksgiving meal during a lunch break at Northeast High School, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Torres and six other workers from western states have been working over Thanksgiving to prepare the artificial turf at the high school practice field, and an anonymous donor catered the dinner as a surprise gift. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Alex Andrade (left) of Billy's Restaurant works swiftly to add items to their to-go Thanksgiving meals on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Andrade said they will be preparing over 200 to-go meals over the next two days for families to enjoy. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Nebraska takes on McNeese State without fans on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Cathy Goldman (left), a paraeducator at Elliott Elementary, looks on as her mother Margaret Elley prepares dinner, Monday, Nov. 23, 2020. Goldman previously contracted COVID-19 and now keeps a distance whenever she is in a room with her elderly parents. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Nebraska State Capitol is seen lit in blue for "Public Health Thank You Day" on Nov. 23
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Jerry McDonald uses a leaf blower to clear derbies from his rental property on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
Top Journal Star photos for November

 Lauren Brown walks her dogs - two golden retrievers and a Collie, along the shore of Holmes Lake on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. The sun will stay with Lincoln for most of the week, with temperature forecasted to reach 70 degrees on Thursday, according to National Weather Service. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Chairs for the public at the City Council meeting are seen wrapped up in plastic bags to encourage social distancing on Nov. 23 at the County-City Building.Â
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Hay bales are seen in this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, near Benedict, Neb. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Tyrus Whittle (left) prepares to touch tackle Harlem McGinnis during a late afternoon game of football with their friends on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, at Peter Pan Park. Tuesday's moderate temperatures made for perfect fall sports weather and it continues for the next few days. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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=DeEtta Mayrose (right) greeted employees arriving for an evening shift of Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, during a Thank-You event for health care workers at Bryan Medical Center - West Campus. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Scott Nash of Lincoln executes a "no-foot, layback air" during an unseasonably warm day on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, at Peter Pan Park. Today was the day to be out-and about as temperatures are forecasted to be much lower in the week to come. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

A pass to Omaha Westside's Koby Bretz (25) is defended by Elkhorn South's Trevor Winterstein (1) in the first quarter on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, during a Class A state final playoff game at Omaha Westside High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Ord's Kelen Meyer (2) gets a celebratory hug from teammate Quinton Ries (6) after winning the Class C-2 state football championship at Heedum Field on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, in Fremont. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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BDS's Dalton Kleinschmidt makes a catch next to Sandhills/Thedford's Reece Zutavern (24) during Class D-2 state championship game on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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BDS's Easton Weber fights for yardage as he is tackled by Sandhills/Thedford's Reed McFadden (left) in the Class D-2 state championship game on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Sandhills/Thedford fans line the field to watch the Class D-2 state championship game against BDS on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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A lone University of Nebraska-Lincoln prepares for a final with a start time of 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Henzlik Hall. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

The WWII section in Veterans Memorial Memorial Garden on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Lincoln East High School Principal Sue Cassata (center) talks with students Samantha Knuth (left) and McKenna Grass, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Cassata was named Nebraska principal of the year. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Vehicles cross the railroad tracks on South 84th Street south of Nebraska 2 on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Governor Pete Ricketts appears via television screen to deliver his coronavirus briefing on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. The governor and his wife are currently in quarantine after coming in close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
Top Journal Star photos for November

Cyclists make use of the bike trails that which run through Van Dorn Park on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Jadon Kroeten prepares a pizza for takeout at Yia Yia's on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Kathryn Goertzen and Kurt Goertzen watch the television screen on the northwest side of Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Nebraska inside linebacker Luke Reimer celebrates beating Penn State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
Top Journal Star photos for November

Wahoo's Elle Glock (left) holds aloft the championship trophy with teammate Taylor Luben after they defeated St. Paul in five sets during the final of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Hold Fast Kat (left), ridden by Tara Hynes, battles for position against Final Affair, ridden by Jake Olesiak, on final day of live horse racing at the Lincoln Race Course on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020.  KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

With flags supporting President Donald Trump and a loud speaker on his backpack, Wyatt McGinty, 15, circles his bicycle in front of a group of Joe Biden supporters rallying on North Sixth Street, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. About a dozen Biden supporters gathered to support the Democratic presidential candidate, with slightly more supporters of President Donald Trump circled the street with Trump flags by their cars and trucks. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Voters wait in line at Humann Elementary School to check in and fill out their ballots in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Molly Dickinson, who traveled to the polling place at "J" Township Town Hall on her horse Earl, leaves after voting, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry speaks during Lancaster County Republican election watch party, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, at Embassy Suites. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Mitch Sweeney sprays the seats during cleaning in between state volleyball tournament games on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Shy, a 2-year-old rescue dog, looks on as Deb DeFruiter of Lincoln (center left) and Carol Wheeler of Auburn (center right) gather at an animal welfare protest outside Nebraska State Office Building, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. Organizers rallied to support Rick Herchenbach, a state employee who claimed the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has failed to regulate cat and dog breeders and rescue facilities. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Park goers are seen on the new hiker-biker bridge between the Rock Island and Jamaica North trails, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Lincoln Southeast's Taveon Thompson tackles Elkhorn South's Dilan Krause in the first half during Class A state football quarterfinals, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Seacrest Field. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

After losing his shoe, Omaha Westside's Koby Bretz dives into the end zone to score a touchdown against Lincoln East during the Class A quaterfinals match on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at Omaha Westside.
Top Journal Star photos for November

CWC's Morgan Ramsey wipes her eyes as she waits to receive runner up medals with her team during the Class D-2 state championship match on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
Top Journal Star photos for November

Wahoo's Elle Glock (right) leads her teammates as they celebrate their five-set win over St. Paul's during the final of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Top Journal Star photos for November

Omaha Skutt's Lindsay Krause (27) dives for a kill by Norris' Ella Waters in the third set during the final of the Class B state volleyball tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star