MEET OUR STAFF
Click on each staff member to view their bio.
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Founder & Executive DirectorDr. Patricia Newman
Founder & Executive DirectorDr. Patricia Newman is a Clinical Child Psychologist and the Founder and Executive Director of RESPECT. She also holds graduate degrees in Educational Psychology and Special Education. Dr. Newman is in private practice with Family Enrichment, Inc. and works as a Medical Consultant for the Nebraska Department of Disability Determinations. She is the recipient of several professional and community awards including the Y/WCA Tribute to Women Award for her work in the areas of Human Service and Community Advocacy; the Nebraska School Psychologists Association “Psychologist of the Year” award; the Cultural Adult Program Award from the United Way of the Midlands; the Leadership Award for Prevention of Domestic Violence Programming from the Y/WCA; and the Community Service Award from the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Dr. Newman was awarded the 2022 School Mental Health Champion Award at the Nebraska School Mental Health Conference. She is the playwright of two of RESPECT’s plays.
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Associate Executive DirectorPaige Brenneman
Associate Executive DirectorIn 2016, Paige graduated with a Bachelors degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha through the College of Public Affairs and Community Service with a concentration in Nonprofit Administration and a Minor in Women and Gender Studies. During Paige’s college career she spent her service learning project with the Women’s Center for Advancement as a group leader for the Girls Leadership Academy. Since starting her work with RESPECT in 2017, Paige has expanded her knowledge in nonprofit development and management. She looks forward to her growth within the organization and continuing to build relationships with community partners.
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Program & Development ManagerCara Neufeld
Program & Development ManagerCara joined RESPECT in 2017, initially contributing her expertise to data entry and analysis. Over the years, her commitment to RESPECT as well as her communication and organizational skills, led her to take on more significant responsibilities. Now, as the Program and Development Manager, she is excited to take her place as an integral part of our team. Cara thrives on building connections, offering support, and providing encouragement to both her colleagues and the community we serve.
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Co-Artistic DirectorMichele Phillips
Co-Artistic DirectorMichele was born in New Jersey, raised in Omaha and is a graduate of UNO with a Bachelor of Arts/Dramatic Arts degree. She has acted and/or directed in nearly every theatrical venue in the metro. Michele teaches TV Screenwriting at UNO and is a teaching artist for the Nebraska Arts Council. In addition to workshops for WHY ARTS with special needs students, Michele teaches at two area middle schools in the OPS After-School Program for Brigit St Brigit Theatre Company. She is the resident playwright for RESPECT.
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Co-Artistic DirectorHailey Vernon
Co-Artistic DirectorHailey is theatre educator from Omaha, NE. From a young age Hailey has been very involved in the theatre world, starring as a squirrel in the musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as her first role. Since, Hailey has been apart of numerous other productions both on and off the stage. Some of her favorites being M*A*S*H, Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe, and Still Life with Iris. In 2020, Hailey graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Theatre and Speech Education. In her college years, Hailey focused on playwriting and directing. Her 10 minute play, I am a Murderer, was featured as part of a main-stage production in Theatre Northwest’s 2017-2018 season. For her senior project Hailey directed When She Had Wings by Susan Zeder, bringing to life the fantastical journey of a little girl and her new best friend Amelia Earhart. Since graduating, Hailey has been working with children of all ages. Her passion is helping set up children for successful futures. She is excited to work for RESPECT and continue putting energy into her passion in a fun, theatrical way.
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Education and Training DirectorKathleen McGee
Education and Training DirectorFor more than 35 years, Kathleen Sorensen McGee has worked with, and on behalf of children and teens – as a classroom teacher, a trainer, an author and a public speaker. She has written more than 20 books and articles including Unmasking Sexual Con Games: Helping Teens Avoid Emotional Grooming and Dating Violence, Who’s Raising Your Child: Battling the Marketers for Your Child’s Heart and Soul and There are NO Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter, all published by the Boys Town Press. Kathie has presented workshops nationwide on bullying, teen dating violence, the influence of media, as well as sexual harassment and abuse. She earned both her BA and MA from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Actor EducatorLyriQ McCreary
Actor EducatorLyriq Lashay is an inspiring singer-songwriter and actress from Omaha, NE. Her natural musical talent and acting abilities have been evident since birth, and she was singing before she could talk! This passion for music and theatre and the desire to positively impact lives earned her a full-ride scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University, where she maintained a 4.0 average. Lyriq’s hard work and dedication earned her a Degree in Music from McNally Smith College. Her music has been featured in films, commercials, and other various promos, and she has had the opportunity to work with talented producers in the industry. She has booked leading and supporting roles in theatre throughout her career. Lyriq is a humble yet confident and driven artist, with a large repertoire of music and monologue performances. She is a vocal coach and works with young adults in teaching them breath control, confidence, and vocal growth through music. Lyriq lives by her motto “Music is not a hobby; It’s a lifestyle,” and her passion for music, theatre, and other forms of vocal art will continue until the last notes are sung!
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Actor EducatorConner Holben
Actor EducatorConner is a professional actor and singer-songwriter who comes from a small town in Iowa called Minden. Ever since he was young, Theatre had become an important fascination in his life. He never knew what it was like to have any big programs for music or theatre going to high school, but that all changed at Graceland University. He is now graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Music/Theatre. Some big shows he’s proud to have done were Rocky Horror, Chicago, Cabaret, and Hello Dolly, and Jersey Boys. Since leaving college and taking on bigger opportunities in Omaha, NE he has found himself at home building families in both the Omaha Community Playhouse and now, RESPECT. Conner hopes to deliver a very important message to those that are willing to join RESPECT in creating a beautiful impact on themselves and those around them who may need a helping hand.
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Actor EducatorChristina Short
Actor EducatorChristina Short is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Omaha, NE. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a B.S. in Theatre: Performance. While there, she costume designed and performed in seventeen shows. Some highlights include Spongebob the Musical (Karen), Much Ado about Nothing (Don Pedro), and No Exit (Inez Serrano). A two time Irene Ryan nominee and one time semi finalist, Christina won the Region 5 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship her sophomore year. That following summer, she traveled to D.C. to study Shakespeare, voice, movement, mask work, and more at the Kennedy Center. Her senior year,
Christina made her directorial debut with a staged reading of 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, which won her Best Staged Reading and Best Director of a Stage Reading at Theatre Northwest’s annual award banquet. Christina capped off her time there by performing in her one woman adaptation of Not Medea by Allison Gregory. In addition to acting in plays, she acted in two student films and recorded voiceover for the departmental digital adaptation of Spoon River Anthology. After graduating, Christina performed in What the Constitution Means to Me as a Debater at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. She has returned to her hometown to focus on
growing as an artist and a person. In addition to her work with Respect, she is writing a graphic novel with her partner, painting, learning how to play guitar, and knitting.