Since our founding in 1982, the Omaha Community Foundation has grown from a small collective of donors into a regional thought leader that provides exceptional local leadership, philanthropic expertise and innovative solutions for unmet community needs.
To reflect our growing role in the community, Vanessa Denney will step into a new position at OCF as the Vice President of Philanthropic & Donor Services. She will oversee the work with our private and family foundations, corporate partners, fundholders and Southwest Iowa affiliates.
“Under Vanessa’s leadership, OCF’s Philanthropic Services division has seen tremendous growth both in terms of new clients as well as community impact. I know she will bring that same level of success to her new position,” said Donna Kush, President & CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation.
Before joining OCF, Denney served in both the government and nonprofit sectors in Omaha, most recently as Director of Corporate Relations and Development at the University of Nebraska Foundation.
“Taking on this new role is a wonderful opportunity to serve and support our team and fundholders because it merges my expertise helping individuals, families and corporations achieve their giving goals with my love for Omaha,” Denney said.
Additional promotions
Katie Vogel has been promoted to Director of Donor Services. Vogel is an attorney with extensive expertise in estate and gift planning and trust administration. She is also experienced in advising business clients on the division of business assets upon the dissolution of a business or relationship. Since joining OCF, she has managed our complex asset donation process and the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy program, along with donor and advisor relationships.
Tessa Barney is the new Director of Philanthropic Services. Barney joined OCF in 2022 after 10 years as the Director of Development at the University of Nebraska Foundation. She provides customized services to private and family foundations that let them focus on what’s important: achieving their charitable giving goals. The Philanthropic Services team partners with individuals, families, and foundations to offer administrative support, strategic grantmaking services, and philanthropic consulting.