Mentoring Inclusive
professionals on
how to THRIVE and
not just SURVIVE in DEI.

Dr. Karen Kassebaum
DEIAB

PROFESSIONAL MENTOR

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WHAT I DO

Nothing energizes me more than providing mentoring in the workplace. Being a mentor and a conduit to creating an environment that fosters analytical and critical thinking skills that contributes to the development of a community of inclusive professionals.

CONSULT

I partner with organizations to identify workplace challenges and opportunities and create a DEI strategy to meet their unique needs.

TEACH

I provide customized DEI training to develop the knowledge and skills needed to cultivate a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

SPEAK

I inspire and activate leaders, teams and individuals to most effectively step into their role in the change effort.

The timely mentoring and relevant coaching that I’ve been fortunate to receive from Karen has profoundly impacted me personally and professionally. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to interact with her. She is a wonderful resource and has deepened my ability to think strategically concerning my career and empowered me with specific tools and quality frameworks I am benefitting from to this day.

Cameya Ramirez-Rousseau

Director of Advising, CEHS

Dr. Karen Kassebaum is an outstanding professional that shows passion through challenge and motivation helping you to meet your goals. She has personally assisted me in overcoming professional and personal barriers to move my career forward. Dr. Kassebaum's presentations are energetic, thought provoking, and can be adapted to a variety of audiences, such as students to professionals! She is great in her work passion!

Dr. Will Sheppard

Associate Director

My experience with Karen as a mentor has been such a blessing! She supports me and helps me set attainable goals with frequent check-ins to ensure I'm on the right track to accomplishing them. Karen's kindness, patience, dedication, willingness to share her own experiences and wisdom, helped me become the best version of myself personally and professionally. If you are someone looking for a mentor to listen, push you, encourage you, challenge you, and provide constructive feedback look no further. I would recommend Karen's mentor program/services to anyone new to higher education/ODI and seasoned professionals. Be prepared for elevation because you'll only rise up with Karen as a mentor!

Kerra Russell

Senior Associate Director

Through Karen’s mentoring, I have learned the complexities and ever-evolving nature of diversity, equity and inclusion. With her expert guidance, I learn so much each time we talk!”

Jon Gayer, Ph.D

Assistant Director
Fraternity and Sorority Life

“I can’t stress how much I owe to Dr. Karen Kassebaum. I would not be where I am today without her support, guidance, and intuitiveness. Dr. K pushed me to be a better professional, student, and father. Today I am proud to call her mentor, colleague, and most importantly, friend”.

Jeff Norris, M. Ed

Vice President of Human Resources
and Internal Operations

Karen is a great listener and even better problem solver. I always felt confident in seeking advice from Karen because she alway assisted me with navigating all options while encouraging me to be confident in the decisions I made. I can always count on Karen for the best advice!

Ellie Ewere, J.D.

Attorney at law

“Mrs. Karen was an incredible mentor during my time at UNL. There wasn’t a day where her doors were closed or that she was unavailable to be a listening ear. I can’t begin to say enough about her leadership skills, the amount of resiliency and empathy she displayed and the ways in which she helped me blossom into the woman I am today (career wise and personally). Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such an amazing human being.”

Brittany Johnson

Senior Lifecycle Marketing Manager

Dr. Kassebaum has been one of the most impactful mentors in my life because she has a unique ability to deliver direct, insightful feedback, informed by her incredible depth of professional and lived experience, in a way that clearly conveys her compassion and investment in my success. I made it through some of the toughest parts of my life and found my unique path to success, in large part, because she was there to guide me and support me at some of the most formative parts of my life.

Michael Loerger

Resident Family & Community Physician

I would not have made the decisions I have made about my higher education career without the support and mentorship from Karen Kassebaum. Karen was one of the first higher education Black women mentors in my life who encouraged me to continue to challenge systemic issues in the education system but also remember to take care of myself. She opened my eyes to the type of experiences that Black women in leadership face, even talking through the ones she was experiencing herself. I can honestly say I don't know where I would be without her!

Virginia Downing

Educational Policy Studies
Doctoral Student

I had the privilege of working with Karen for two years while working on my Masters Degree. Karen was the first supervisor/mentor I ever had that truly saw me as I am and actually cared about making sure I left my Graduate Assistantship better than I came. She was able to see the areas I needed a little pushing in and knew how to make you feel safe while also stretching you in those directions. Forever my favorite mentor!

Kyra Flatow

COO & Project Manager

Dr. Kassebaum's unique ability to influence the common good is unparalleled. She engages where one is at to support growth to where one should and can be. Within our personal and professional engagements, she's empowered, educated, and engaged me instilling tools for a focused mindset. Although stating Kassebaum is passionate about mentorship is cliché, she's invested in people, providing each and every person her gifts that propel people in life to unprecedented levels.

Peter Ferguson

CEO & Founder, Peter Ferguson BHS, LLC.

“Dr. K is a genuine soul who lives a life for others. She has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth as a mentor and guide in every step. She exudes positivity in every interaction, and really cares about the other individual. I am blessed to have been associated with her for the last many years!!!”

Ajai Ammachathram, Ph.D. CHE

Program Director, Hospitality,
Restaurant and Tourism Management

I first met Dr. Karen Kassebaum as a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At the time, I had a lot of ideas and a desire for leadership, but no idea on how to bring both to fruition. Fortunately, as a student-athlete, I began in her Athlete to Athlete Mentoring Program. Through her Athlete to Athlete structure, I learned how to lead an organization and to peer mentor. Through her encouragement, I extended myself into on campus leadership positions. To this day, I rely on "Mamma K" for mentorship and friendship. It has been invaluable to have someone who has encountered similar barriers offer advice, guidance, resources, and connections.

Kristen Dowell

Diversity Program Manager
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

"Nothing comes easy. Stay focused and work hard. Everything will work out."
"Dr. Kassebaum has mentored me through my professional career and personal life. She gives me the hard truth and supports me regardless of the decisions I make. Dr. Kassebaum reminds me to be patient & slow down and enjoy the moment. She is a great mentor; I am glad to call her mine! "

Mya' Lesley-Drakeford, M.A.

Diversity Program Manager
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Dr. Kassebaum has been a amazing mentor to me since I was a UNL graduate student in 2007. Karen is a people leader with significant experience that has guided me as I transitioned in my professional career. Karen’s knowledge has proven to span different industries such as collegiate athletics, higher education, healthcare, and diversity. Her approach to mentorship can be summarized as authentic and personal. She doesn’t follow a cookie cutter approach to her mentorship style and always found time to invest in my growth. If you’re looking for a career coach and mentor that will take you from the classroom to the boardroom with a smile…Dr. Kassebaum is just right for you!

Bridgett “BT” Tabor

DEI Program Manager

‘When starting what I consider my first career job as the Global Exchange Coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), I found myself in a new culture of higher education. Karen was one of the first to notice that I was intimidated by all of the varying personalities I was required to navigate while working in a brand new institution. Without me asking she sat me down and said “I know you’re going to be successful in this role and you have nothing to be intimidated by” and helped talk to me about how best to succeed. This initial conversation became only the first of many. Karen gave me the confidence to work through my anxieties and rise to the occasion. I have since had career successes of which I could have never imagined and I credit much of this to Karen Kassebaum for giving me that first bit of confidence when I most needed it’.

Jon Kerrigan

Nebraska Department
of Agriculture

“

Don’t just
take my word
for it.

TIME TO THRIVE

ADDRESS

3740 S 6th Street Ste A
Lincoln, NE

TEXT

402.450.9306

CONTACT

karen@athlete2athlete.us

FOLLOW ME

Let's create something amazing together. I'm basically everywhere. So feel free to pick which mode of communication works best for you.

® 2023 DR. KAREN KASSEBAUM

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