Carolyn D. Rooker, MSW
Executive Director
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 101
crooker@voicesforchildren.com
Before joining Voices for Children, Carolyn served as CEO of the Omaha Public Library Foundation, working to increase community support for the Omaha Public Library and its programs. Prior to that, she worked for the Visiting Nurse Association of Omaha for more than ten years as Community Relations/Grant Coordinator, developing fundraising strategies and growing funding for the agency. She is a recipient of the 40 Under 40 award and served on the National Review Board for the SIDS Foundation. Carolyn holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Union College and a Master’s in Social Work, specializing in Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Rachel Boyer
Executive Assistant & Special Projects Coordinator
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 108
rboyer@voicesforchildren.com
Rachel Boyer holds the position of Executive Assistant & Special Projects Coordinator. Before joining Voices for Children, she developed a passion for children’s policy working in the Nebraska Legislature. Rachel previously held the position of both an administrative and legislative aide for a Nebraska State Senator, and completed an undergraduate internship with a local lobbying firm. Her political experience working at the State level has led her to understand the important advocacy role Voices for Children plays in influencing policy to better the lives of Nebraska families. This understanding equips her to ensure our mission is consistently presented throughout our annual Spotlight Gala and special projects. Rachel graduated with a B.A. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
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Melissa Breazile
Research Coordinator
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 109
mbreazile@voicesforchildren.com
Melissa is responsible for writing the annual Kids Count in Nebraska Report and other Voices for Children publications. She is also responsible for overseeing data collection and analyses, assisting in policy research and advocacy and media communications. Prior to joining Voices for Children, Melissa worked at Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, served as a community health educator for the U.S. Peace Corps in the Republic of Armenia and wrote for various metro-area newspapers. She received her B.S. in Interactive Digital Media from Northwest Missouri State University and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Sarah Forrest
Policy Coordinator – Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 107
sforrest@voicesforchildren.com
Sarah Forrest is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. where she studied International History and International Development. While at Georgetown, Sarah spent two years serving low-income preschool children through Jumpstart, an Americorps program. This experience combined with her general passion for politics has lead her to Voices for Children, where she hopes to be part of positive systemic change on behalf of children and their families. In addition to Jumpstart, Sarah has also worked with Search for Common Ground, an international conflict resolution non-profit, the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Society Project, and Georgetown University’s Office of International Programs.
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Connie Hacker
Accounts Manager
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 102
chacker@voicesforchildren.com
As our accounts manager, Connie is responsible for the financial activities at Voices. This includes the preparation of monthly financials, grant reports, the annual budget, payment of bills and preparation of payroll. Connie received her Master of Business Administration and BS in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is also a Certified Management Accountant.
Aubrey Mancuso
Policy Coordinator – Economic Stability & Health
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 112
amancuso@voicesforchildren.com
Aubrey Mancuso currently holds the position of Economic Policy and Research Coordinator. She is primarily responsible for coordinating a statewide coalition, Opportunity@Work, focused on strengthening the financial stability of Nebraska’s families and children.   The coordination of Opportunity@Work includes leading and overseeing all research, policy and public education efforts.  Prior to joining Voices for Children, Aubrey worked for a non-profit providing service to chronically homeless adults with mental illness in New York.  She also worked for the City of New York’s Food Stamp Program, an international grant-making foundation, and United States Senator Jeff Bingaman.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a B.A. from Creighton University.
Caitlin Pardue
Policy Associate – Behavioral Health
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 111
cpardue@voicesforchildren.com
Caitlin joins Voices for Children as a year-long full-time volunteer with Lutheran Service Corps.  She assists in policy research and advocacy focused on Nebraska’s behavioral health system for children. Before joining Voices for Children, Caitlin worked at the Boston Public Health Commission as an Executive Office Research Intern. She also spent 7 months in Cape Town, South Africa as the primary field researcher on a study on community participation in health systems.  Caitlin Pardue studied Public Policy and Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jill Westfall
Communications & Operations Coordinator
(402) 597-3100 Ext. 106
jwestfall@voicesforchildren.com
Before joining Voices for Children, Jill spent a year in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN with Catholic Charities Volunteer Corps where she served as Policy Associate in the Office for Social Justice. She graduated from Creighton University, where she majored in Justice and Society. While at Creighton, Jill spent a year as an AmeriCorps member, working with Lutheran Family Service’s Strong Urban Neighborhoods Program in the Leavenworth Neighborhood of Omaha. Her experience in neighborhood development and working with low-income youth has developed her passion for improving systems that benefit children and help their families out of poverty. Jill is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
