Teri Hamburger, Executive Director of AAF Omaha joined the federation more than two decades ago. Given a list of priorities when hired by AAF Omaha Teri grasped the role immediately making significant changes and improvements in club operations from the start. Teri has worked tirelessly since 1996 for the federation with a commitment and enthusiasm for AAF on the local, district and national levels in everything she does to support the organization as a whole. Soon after joining AAF Omaha Teri and club leaders realized quickly her art education and event planning experiences were key in helping grow and achieve club strategic planning goals. Teri keeps a watchful eye on club finances, assists with board training, member services, event planning, communications, educational programs and legislative efforts. Her eye for detail has helped the club receive numerous club achievement awards over the years. Teri meets with local businesses and non-profits, promotes AAF Omaha at legislative events, attends AAF 9th District and National AAF events and is constantly looking for creative ways to improve club programming and to recruit new members. Teri not only fulfills her role as Executive Director of the club she also volunteers to work on AAF Omaha public service and education initiatives. Teri has taken an active role working closely with college students and educators throughout Nebraska. She cultivates relationships with students knowing they will be the future leaders of AAF Omaha or go on to other chapters across the country. She regularly speaks in university classrooms sharing the importance of AAF and our unifying voice for advertising. Teri is a mentor to many local university students each year and developed the AAF UNO Student Ad Club leadership training program with their student chapter advisor. AAF Omaha started a Student Ambassador Program under Teri’s direction allowing students to interact more often with professional members. With the direction of the Education committee Teri oversees the Club’s scholarship funds. During the last ten years the club has awarded over $110,000 in scholarships to Nebraska students. Claudia Martin AAF 9th District Governor (1996-1997) reflected recently, “How was I to know twenty years ago, that one of my most important contributions to AAF Omaha would be to vote yes to hiring Teri as our Executive Director.” Since that day, Teri has served as much more than an Executive Director advocating for the rights of advertisers. She has worked for twenty club presidents and hundreds of board members. Board members year after year are amazed at how she builds relationships getting to know every member, takes an interest in them, and helps them to be the very best AAF Omaha volunteer they can be. According to AAF Omaha’s (2002-2003) President Cris Hay, Teri nurtures the volunteer board leaders as they take on new and unfamiliar roles. “Teri educated us, laughed with us when things got crazy and helped us celebrate as our chapter flourished and grew.” The relationships Teri has forged over the years with suppliers, sponsors, prospective volunteers, chapter veterans and AAF club leaders across the country are the source of solutions, and a testament to an exceptional leader. Greg Ahrens AAF Omaha President (2007-2008) stated recently “Teri is the backbone of AAF Omaha. Her tireless support for the ad club is unmatched along with her unwavering spirit and passion.” Teri has been married to her college sweetheart for 34 years and is the proud mother of one daughter graduating from Northwestern University in Chicago this spring. Teri is an active community volunteer, has served on numerous boards, was named a YWCA Woman of Distinction and honored as AAF Omaha’s 2015 Silver Medal Winner. When she is not working or attending a committee meeting you mostly likely will find Teri outside in her patio garden painting or golfing with her husband.