As part of the campaign, Nelnet matches all donations dollar-for-dollar, and new donors receive a 2-to-1 match—tripling their impact. All donations go directly to the local United Way organizations in the communities where our participating associates reside.

For the 2023 What U Can Do campaign, associates learned just how far these dollars can go with smart money management and local prioritization by the United Way:

• $2 per paycheck can provide free books to 10 kids for a year.
• $5 per paycheck can provide technology access to 30 low-income people.
• $6 per paycheck can teach 28 kids at the YMCA to swim.
• $10 per paycheck can provide training to 8 disaster relief volunteers.
• $20 per paycheck can provide 50 hours of tutoring for struggling teens.

In total, 945 associates powered a $1,041,657 fundraising campaign, including 170 new donors.

This money will be used to serve prioritized nonprofit needs in 29 communities that Nelnet associates call home.

Thanks to all associates who helped make our 2023 United Way campaign a success.

The post Nelnet Raises $1,041,657 for United Way appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

This honor was established in 2022 to honor the traits of the late Nelnet co-founder, co-CEO, and later vice chairman Steve Butterfield – or “Butter,” as he was affectionately known. Nelnet leaders are nominated for their commitment to serving others, developing and inspiring co-workers, and working to build a strong company culture.

With these criteria in mind, the 2023 Butterfield Award was recently awarded to Natalie Artibee, Managing Director of Nelnet Diversified Services Organizational Initiatives and MarComm.

Natalie has been an integral part of Nelnet for over 40 years, starting her long journey in 1982 when the company employed less than 50 people. She first joined as a temporary, working in Document Services, and shortly thereafter moved into a permanent position within Claims before moving through Loan Servicing in different departments with increasing levels of responsibility.

Along the way, Natalie progressed her career by developing and executing on strategic organizational initiatives, solving problems, understanding business needs, and always doing what’s right. She has been integral to the success of large-scale, NDS and corporate-wide initiatives.

I’m so honored to receive the Steve Butterfield Leadership Award. I have had the privilege to work with so many talented, smart people at Nelnet that have helped me grow. My career has truly been built from those I have had the good fortune to work with. I will forever be grateful.

 

Natalie Artibee

2023 Steve Butterfield Leadership Award Winner

Beyond her core responsibilities, Natalie also serves on Nelnet’s Enterprise Culture Council, Charitable Contributions committee, and the NDS Premier Employer committee. Natalie also takes an active role in her community, serving on several nonprofit boards, including Leadership Aurora (Colo.), Junior Achievement, and Aurora Public Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE). In 2020, she was nominated by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for the Unsung Hero Award, which honors women who make a substantive, yet unrecognized contribution in their community or business.

Natalie’s importance to Nelnet – and her merits for winning the award – are best captured by comments from some of her closest peers:

It’s impossible for me to truly put into words the kind of leader Natalie has been over her forty-year career at Nelnet. She is committed to strengthening the team culture and trusts all her team members, just as we trust her. She believes in the members of her team and creates opportunities for them to learn and stretch their abilities.

 

Alissa Johnson

Director, NDS Communications

Natalie possesses a genuine and caring nature, always going the extra mile to ensure the well-being and happiness of those around her. Her selflessness is evident through her willingness to assist others without hesitation, constantly lending a helping hand whenever needed. She also has a keen business mindset, always analyzing situations strategically and making insightful business decisions that benefit both the company and our associates.

 

Jen Burkey

Managing Director, NDS

I count on Natalie to help us through our biggest initiatives. She can find a starting point in the complex and guide us toward getting things done. Natalie is respected and loved by so many in NDS. She really is the heart of the segment.

 

Joe Popevis

Executive Director I, NDS

If you talk to anyone who works with Natalie, you know your project is going to be successful because she’s part of it. It’s not that she does all the work to make projects successful, rather Natalie makes all the members of the project that much better by pushing them to perform at their best, challenging their thoughts and their limits, and driving people to think and work differently.

 

Matt Osmond

Call Center Operations

Steve Butterfield loved helping others to, ‘See your future. Be your future.’ He made everyone around him better and was able to coach us up. This is something that Natalie repeatedly does for those around her – providing sage guidance, with honest, direct feedback to help those around her be their best. Her dedication to making everyone around her better is truly inspiring.

 

Melissa Marks

Managing Director, NDS; 2022 Butterfield Award Winner

Natalie’s nomination was selected from 23 submissions for strong and inspiring leaders across Nelnet. While each nominee was deserving of consideration, Nelnet’s Executive Team, which is comprised of the company’s top five executive leaders, selected Natalie thanks to the repeated mention of traits and attributes that Steve Butterfield would be proud to work alongside.

The post Natalie Artibee Wins 2023 Butterfield Leadership Award appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

The new space was added to give Omaha-area associates a modern, comfortable working environment as an option for those who need (or want) to work in an office setting. It also allows Nelnet to continue recruiting talented professionals from strategic markets across the country – and grow their talent pool from coast to coast.

The new office offers a number of amenities to make the working environment as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, including:

• A modern design with an open concept atmosphere, ideal for collaboration and teamwork.
• Patio seating that provides a versatile outdoor space for team members to take a break, work, or enjoy lunch in the fresh air.
• An eating area with fridge for convenience, flavored still or sparkling water and coffee machines, and a space for meal preparation.
• Floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in natural light and stunning views.
• Multiple private office spaces for team members to collaborate or work in individually.

The opening of this new space was celebrated with an open house for area associates, where team members could connect with colleagues and explore the new space while enjoying a catered meal at lunch and a social hour in the afternoon.

The post Nelnet Opens New Office in Omaha appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

So when the local Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County needed new office supplies, we started loading up some improvements.

The Nelnet Facilities team recently worked with this local nonprofit to donate a variety of office items including standing-height desks, mother’s room chairs, side chairs, plastic tables, whiteboards, and miscellaneous supplies.

The effort was initiated by Nelnet CEO Jeff Noordhoek, who saw an opportunity to re-purpose unused office items from Nelnet office spaces to create an updated and dynamic environment for the Boys and Girls Club offices.

According to facilities manager Erik Cartwright, “We do work like this to align with our company’s core value of giving back. It’s so great to see these items going to a good cause, good people, and a good use. The overwhelming appreciation from this organization has been remarkable.”

As an organization that provides after-school programs and activities for children from low-income families, these donations will help the Boys and Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County to provide a better learning environment for the children, families, and staff in their programs.

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