Habitat Omaha Honors Community Champions at Women’s Power Luncheon

OMAHA, Neb. – Habitat for Humanity of Omaha will honor a visionary leader and dedicated champion of the Omaha community, Diane Duren, as Power Woman of the Year at its 19th annual Women’s Power Luncheon Friday, March 27, at the downtown Hilton.

Racquel Henderson, community liaison for North Omaha for Mayor John Ewing’s Office, has been named the Power Partner. Steve and Amy Lindsay, longtime supporters of Habitat Omaha, will serve as the event’s honorary chairs. Other participants include Mayor Ewing and emcee Emily Roehler, chief meteorologist at First Alert 6.

The Women’s Power Luncheon helps fund the Women Build Program, which empowers women volunteers to build Habitat Omaha homes. This year, these volunteers will work on multiple houses in the Bluestem Prairie development near 52nd and Sorensen Parkway.

Duren, who retired from Union Pacific Corporation in 2017 after serving as executive vice president, has been a cornerstone of Habitat Omaha's long-term viability and mission advancement. Her family’s leadership in the origins of our Traditional Endowment Fund and, more recently, our new Habitat Mortgage Fund, her strategic advisory to CEO Amanda Brewer, and her unwavering support of annual events and women in the industry have helped shape a legacy. She previously served as the Brew Haha chair in 2018 and was honored at the Women’s Power Luncheon in 2014.

Henderson, a leader, activist and community advocate dedicated to education, has used her role as an influencer to bring awareness to Habitat Omaha programs, including Home Journey and Transfer on Death Deed events.

Habitat Omaha was one of the first organizations Steve and Amy Lindsay supported as a couple and remains central to their philanthropic involvement. Steve served as board chairman for Habitat Omaha for two years, while Amy served on the ReStore Committee and continues to volunteer on Habitat Omaha builds.

Habitat Omaha has hosted the Women Build since 1997 to provide women a proactive way to serve their communities by rehabilitating or building homes. Volunteers work under the guidance of Habitat Omaha women construction professionals alongside other volunteers. About 28 percent of Habitat Omaha’s construction crews are women, nearly triple the industry’s national average.

Tickets are available at habitatomaha.org/womens-power-lunch.

Previous Power Women of the Year

2025: Kassie Inness

2024: Connie Ryan

2023: Pat Manion and Danna Plummer

2022: Meridith Dillon

2021: Sara Boyd

2019: Caren Woodruff

2018: Edwina Sheppard

2017: Nancy Pridal

2016: Rhonda Hawks

2015: Michelle Koraleski

2014: Lyn Ziegenbein

2013: Sandy Parker

2012: Shannon Wallace

2011: Rhonda Distefano

2010: Norma Fletcher and Ro Simpson

2009: Anne Carroll

2008: Jodie Mackintosh

*Event canceled in 2020

About Habitat for Humanity of Omaha
Founded in 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha builds and renovates homes, repairs existing houses, and takes down blighted structures in a five-county area, including Burt, Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties. Habitat also works with individuals and families to acquire the access, skills and financial education to become successful homeowners and, along with Habitat affiliates across the state, advocates for better laws and systems. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitatomaha.org.